Certified Farmers' Markets have become so widespread and successful in the
State of California that a whole new level of mandatory regulations and fees
has been added effective this week.
FYI Pike's Place Public Market in Seattle, WA is usually held out as the
example of the biggest in the US. It's a mix of retail, wholesale, large and
small vendors.
In Sacramento, Ca, a Sunday market under the freeway in mid-town has a
decidedly ethnic flavor in both attendees and the produce sold. Hmong,
Mexican-American, Japanese, Chinese and Russian emigrees buy and sell produce
year-round.
In Los Angeles, a coalition of churches and neighborhood groups negotiates
prices with local farmers' market vendors, buys their produce and puts
together share boxes that are distributed back to the food the low-income
folks whose funds were pooled to increase their buying power.