Agricultural Vendor Application
Information & requirements
Required Documents:
- Insurance
- Manufacturing License from State
- USDA Certification (if Applicable)
- Sales Tax Permit (if applicable)
- Galveston County Health District Food Permit (gchd.org)
Applicants under this category offer:
- produce that has been grown on the producer’s land (including leased land),
- meat/eggs/processed meat products from animals raised on the producers’ land (including leased land) & are processed at a USDA-inspected facility
- products such as cheese, yogurt, or honey sourced from animals raised on the producers’ land (including leased land)
- Examples: Farmers, Ranchers, Beekeepers
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCER VENDOR REQUIREMENTS
Agricultural producer vendors include:
- produce that has been grown on the producer’s land (including leased land),
- meat/eggs/processed meat products from animals raised on the producers’ land (including leased land) & are processed at a USDA-inspected facility.
- products such as cheese, yogurt, or honey sourced from animals raised on the producers’ land (including leased land)
FOOD PERMITTING:
Produce Farmers/Beekeepers:
Producers vending only uncut fruits and vegetables do not need to obtain any permits to sell at DFM.
There is currently no permitting required of beekeepers, although beekeepers must allow a site visit to at least one of their bee yards.
Ranchers:
Meats require a Galveston County Health District Temporary Food Establishment Permit and all products must be processed and packaged at permitted facilities.
They must be labeled and must meet Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER) for time kept hot or cold as required.
Eggs only:
Require the same Galveston County Health District Temporary Food Establishment Permit and cartons must be labeled with the producer’s name, address, and the word “ungraded.”
Eggs must be kept cooled at 45 degrees or less.
If an agricultural producer wishes to also vend value-added items or prepared foods or artisan goods, they must fill out an additional application and obtain the relevant permitting where necessary. If an agricultural producer wishes to sell soap or yarn in addition to their food products, they are asked to fill out the Non-food Artisan Vendor application.
GALVESTON COUNTY HEALTH DISTRICT (GCHD) PERMITTING RESOURCES:
- Link to GCHD Consumer Health Services
- GCHD Description of a “Farmers Market” food establishment (scroll down)
- GCHD Temporary Food Establishment Form for all “potentially hazardous foods” (i.e. anything that must be refrigerated to remain safe – this permit should only be $75 per event or $100 for the year)
Additional Resources
- Texas Department of State Health Services – FAQs – Farmer’s Market
- Farm & Ranch Freedom Alliance: A Closer Look: New Texas Laws for Farmers Market
- How to Determine if your products meet the Organic guidelines
COMMON QUESTIONS:
Do I need a temporary food establishment permit to sell food at a farmers’ market?
A temporary food establishment permit is not required to sell whole, intact unprocessed fruits and vegetables and pre-packaged non-potentially hazardous food/time temperature for safety foods.
A temporary food establishment permit is required to sell all other potentially hazardous food/time temperature control for safe foods.
What is a potentially hazardous food/temperature controlled for safety food (PHF/TCS)?
A potentially hazardous food (PHF) is a food that requires time and temperature control to limit pathogen growth or toxin production. In other words, potentially hazardous food must be held under proper temperature controls, such as refrigeration to prevent the growth of bacteria that may cause human illness. A PHF/TCS is a food that: contains protein, moisture (water activity greater than 0.85), and is neutral to slightly acidic (pH between 4.6 -7.5).
