The Saskatchewan Farmers’ Market Co-operative says restricting what vendors can sell is the wrong way to go.Instead, the Saskatchewan government should open up the rules to allow more products to be bought and sold, said farmers’ market co-op vice-president Joni James.She said the co-op, which represents about 20 markets, had no input into proposed guidelines for public markets, put forward by the health department that would change what vendors can sell.For example, pumpkin pie made in a home kitchen could not be sold but the same pie made in a commercial kitchen would be allowed.Stakeholders were able to submit comments on the proposal until mid-May and health minister Don Mc-Morris has said he will examine them before formal changes are proposed.James said the co-op wants to be more involved then, and believes any changes should be less restrictive.“The farmers’ market co-operative at this point is sort of of the opinion that farmers’ markets should be extended farmgate sales,” James said last week.“The only restriction at farmgate sales at this point is raw milk, unpasteurized milk.”This would remove health inspectors, who now inspect the markets, from the equation. James said farmers’ markets are essentially private sales between buyer and seller, similar to farmgate sales, and vendors are able to police themselves.“We deal directly with our customers,” she said. “We’re not going to try to make them sick.”She said in 2006 Ontario markets and special events were exempted from public health guidelines.“To this date, there has not been a case of a food borne illness,” James said. “They’re allowed to bring everything except for ungraded eggs, unpasteurized milk and farm-slaughtered meat.”Customers aware of the proposed changes don’t understand why they are necessary, she added.All co-op members have taken the safe food handling course and will be taking farm food safety courses.A study done by Farmers’ Markets Canada and Agriculture Canada found the economic impact of markets in 2008 was $3.09 billion.Three-quarters of people surveyed said they regularly shopped at farmers’ markets.
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