Letter To The Editor – Setting The Rest Of The Story Straight

To the Editor:
I’m writing with regards to your article, “Berlin Town Board Action – The Rest Of The Story” (August 26). Included in the notes from that meeting were a few words from Town Supervisor Rob Jaeger regarding Our Valley Community Farmers’ Market, located on Brimmer Farm Road in Berlin. First, I thank Mr. Jaeger for his continued support of this project, both by spreading the word and through his patronage. I do, however, think it’s important to address two unintended mistakes made by Mr. Jaeger during the Board meeting.
Mr. Jaeger was correct in stating that the market requires a 5% vendor fee from individuals/businesses who sell their products. This fee, however, is applicable to vendors who come to our location and setup a table during market hours – not to those who wish to have OVCFM carry their products. In fact, OVCFM does not encourage the practice of carrying (producers asking the market to sell their items without the producer present), as it limits interaction between the producer and the customer – one of the most important aspects of a farmers’ market – and decreases the curb appeal of the market. Should a request for carrying be approved (as is the case with the free range chicken eggs and locally produced maple syrup currently available at the market), a 7% fee is charged.
Also, I’d like to expand on the note from Allan Yerton about required licenses: OVCFM is in full compliance with all existing state/county/town laws, ordinances and regulations, as is shown in our Handbook. Mr. Yerton noted that produce can be sold in New York without a license. There are, in fact, several products which can be sold in the State without any necessary permit or license, including certain baked goods, meats slaughtered in a USDA-licensed facility and maintained at specific temperatures, eggs (also maintained at a specific temperature), honey, jams, maple syrup, etc. All of this information, as well as a list of permits/licenses needed for other goods, is available in our Handbook or by contacting me at ourvalleycfm@live.com.
Thank you.
Regards,
Trisha Gerstel, Market Manager
Our Valley Community Farmers’ Market