By Jimmy Biggerstaff
Hi-Desert Star
Yucca Valley, CA, August 5, 2009 — Notwithstanding its loss of permits and insurance to operate as a certified farmers market, the recently established market in Old Town will be open for business this afternoon.
“Despite enthusiastic responses from produce shoppers who visited the market during its first three weeks of operations, the turnout did not meet expectations,” wrote Liz Mediavilla in a news release.
Eric Mueller’s vacant lot west of Water Canyon Coffee Company had hosted the market.
“As anyone knows, it’s a challenge to launch a new business of any sort, especially during the summer,” Mueller said. “It takes time and we’re hoping the community will now realize how important it is to support these markets, both here and in Joshua Tree.”
Mueller said vendors will provide a “sampling from the new farmers market” from 3 to 8 p.m. today at Earthwise offices, 55818 Twentynine Palms Highway.
Permits are in the works, Mueller added, to bring the “full” farmers market out Aug. 12.
The Water Canyon Certified Farmers Market officially closed July 29, according to proprietor Lori Herbel.
“All permits and insurance have been withdrawn from the San Bernardino County Agriculture Department, the San Bernardino County Environmental Health Department and the Town of Yucca Valley,” Herbel said.
“In order for a certified farmers market to continue at the same location, the new proprietor will need to obtain proper permits.”
There are stringent regulations governing certified farmers markets, Herbel explained. “These regulations are in place to protect the integrity of the certified farmers markets and to protect the interests of the farmers (certified producers) and consumers.”
Herbel contacted the county agriculture department regarding certified farmers market certificates issued in the county. Officials informed Herbel they have not received a new application for a certified farmers market at the Water Canyon site; however, an inquiry was made to apply for an uncertified farmers market.
Herbel said in order to qualify for a certified farmers market certificate, the applicant must qualify either as a certified producer, municipality or nonprofit specifically formed to run certified farmers markets.
“It is important to know that without certified farmers markets, small farmers would become a distant memory,” Herbel said. “As a longtime small farmer and now market manager, I know first-hand how important it is to maintain the integrity of certified farmers markets for the future survival of small farmers.”
