LISTENING SESSIONS TO BE SCHEDULED FOR CERTIFIED FARMERS MARKETS PROGRAM

SACRAMENTO, September 30, 2010 - Acting on a request from the Certified Farmers' Market (CFM) Advisory Committee at its regular semi-annual meeting this week, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, working with farmers’ markets, is planning to host several listening sessions around the state to ask for public input about the CFM program and how it may be improved. Dates, times and locations of the listening sessions will be announced soon.

"California's certified farmers' markets are an excellent way for consumers to get to know their farmers and learn more about the production of their food," said CDFA Secretary A.G. Kawamura.  "We hope these listening sessions attract heavy participation, so that farmers' markets may continue to do a great job serving the public according to its needs."

California's Certified Farmers' Market program has been in place since 1977 and was the first of its kind in the nation. 

The success of the program is demonstrated by nearly 600 certified farmers’ markets around the state, serving as venues for an estimated 2,200 certified agricultural producers selling high-quality produce
directly to consumers.

For a complete list of certified farmers’ markets in California, please visit:
http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/i_&_c/cfm.html

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