Food Vendors Try to Reduce Permit Fees in St. Louis County

Clayton Farmer’s Market manager Deborah Henderson has started a campaign to try to lower the permit fees charged to farmers who market their goods in St. Louis County. Farmers are required to get multiple permits for selling their wares based on the amount of days and number of markets they attend.

For example, vendors who sell eggs, canned or baked foods, jams and jellies are must get a separate seasonal food establishment permit for each market they attend at a cost of $75.00 per permit. Meaning a farmer who wants to vend his goods at 4 markets, must pay $300 each season for seasonal food establishment permits.

Additionally, vendors who provide samples must purchase a temporary food establishment permit at a cost of $35 per event.

According to Missouri Revised Statutes, Section 150.030, as quoted by Patch, any farmer in Missouri is allowed to sell farm produce and products "free from license, fee or taxation from any county or municipality, in any quantity he may choose, and by doing so shall not be considered a merchant; provided, he does not have a regular stand or place or business away from his farm; and provided further, that any such produce or products shall not be exempted from such health or police regulations as any community may require."

When Henderson approached the state agriculture department regarding St. Louis’s breach of the above mentioned statute, she was told "The department is aware of the growing interest in ... 150.030 and the vendor fees charged at farmers’ markets. We continue to work with communities (and) markets to address their questions and concerns as they bring those issues to our attention."

St. Louis County council members hope to resolve the issue with permit fee charges by the end of June.

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