Benjamin Ninadi, investigator form the Los Angeles County Agriculture Commissioner Weights and Measurements, inspect the produce, flowers and plants at Santa Monica Main Street Market on Sunday, July 26, 2009. Ninadi checked to confirm that the produce, flowers and plants were grown on the farmers land; he check to confirm that produce is certified organic and that the scales are accurate.
"Certified Farmers' Markets (CFM) were established in 1978, when then-governor Jerry Brown signed legislation known as the Direct Marketing Act. This enabled California farmers to sell their own produce directly to consumers at locations designated by the Department of Agriculture [such as a CFM].
Only California Certified Producers may sell agricultural products directly to consumers. All of the farmers who sell at the four Santa Monica Farmers market are certified as producers by the counties where they grow. Each county requires the submission of a production list complete with crop types, number of acres, location, estimated harvest and harvest season. From this information, a Producer’s Certificate is issued. The County Agricultural Inspector visits the farm during production to confirm that the farmer is growing what they claim to be. The grower is required to post thier Producer's Certificate at their booth while selling at a CFM."