Definition of a Farmers' Market
A Farmers' or Growers' Market is defined as "A public market place where fresh foods from a defined local area are sold by the people who have grown, gathered, raised or caught them."Farmers' and growers' markets should comply with the following:
- They should be operated in accordance with all relevant federal, state and local regulations.
- The market's mission, rules and actions are consistent with the Purposes of the New Mexico Farmers' Marketing Association, as listed in the By-Laws.
- Farmers' and growers' markets in a particular market area should not seek to erode the viability of other markets in the region, but rather to collaborate with these neighboring markets.
- Farmers and ranchers should be involved in the decision-making process of the market.
- Markets where crafts, processed foods and other items are sold can be eligible as farmers' markets, as long as the total number of craft vendors and processors does not exceed the total number of farmers and ranchers. It is the intention of the Association that membership in the Association be an assurance of integrity. We want consumers to be sure that when they go to a member farmers' or growers' market, they are purchasing foods from the farmers and ranchers that produced them. However, individual circumstances of markets will be taken into account when considering their application.
- Member markets of the NMFMA must be public markets where fresh foods from a defined local area are sold by the people who have grown, gathered, raised, or caught them. Agricultural products may also be sold by a farm representative. A farm representative is a party that has the authority to act for the farmer so as to bring the farmer's agricultural product to market. Member markets are prohibited from allowing the resale of agricultural products. Reselling is defined as agricultural products purchased by market vendors for resale to market customers.
