Submitted by SearchOverall6349 t3_118cwvh in Pennsylvania
Hello I have a question and please delete if not allowed but I enjoy gardening and always have too much and it goes to waste. Are there any licenses I have to get to be able to sell my produce to people in or out of a farmers market?
Regardless of rules and regulations, it would be a good idea to contact an insurance agent to purchase liability insurance. My father has vendor insurance for craft shows that he attends, and he also established an LLC to protect his assets in the worst case scenario of a lawsuit. You could check with the directors of the farmers market for the specific rules in their community.
Yes, but road side stand no one is going to mess with you unless they involve the tax man.
There are a lot of people that sell items from their garden along the road.
You may need a permit
Check with your local township or borough. You can search their website and it should tell you if a permit is required.
Smart move.
Yes a vendors license- 20 bucks in clearfield county
Wanna' sell me some tomaties???
Consider donating to a food pantry or similar.
Keep something come tax time, that's hobby income that needs reported (legally).
Completely unprocessed fresh fruits and vegetables are not subject to sales taxes in PA, but there is income tax on hobby income.
IIRC unprocessed goods should be covered by homeowners insurance, or umbrella. One of the two. It's been a minute since we looked into doing it so agreed, worth it to call your insurance company.
PA is really genuinely friendly towards cottage industry in this way.
SamuelLCompassion t1_j9gje8n wrote
Good question! I just found this:
>No license is normally required for selling uncut unprocessed fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers markets or vegetable stands in most areas. It is not even necessary to follow the Home Food Processor rules, so long as the produce is not prepared or processed. Local authorities may have other requirements based on the size of your stand or operation and the location where you sell. Zoning laws or HOA rules, for example.
But, in general, growing and selling fruits, vegetables or microgreens grown on your own property fall under rules for "farm stands," "retail farm stands," and "farmers' markets."
The state of Pennsylvania has a PDF describing farm stand requirements. In brief, these say That your operation is an Exempt Farmers Market Stands if you:
>
>sell only raw products from your garden or farm; fruits and vegetables that have been harvested but not processed in any way (no value-added work done, not a ready-to-eat product) This would cover vendors selling fresh
raw fruits and vegetables.
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