Health Permit Fee Hikes for Farmers Markets

Supervisor Deane Dana recently spearheaded the effort to keep prices affordable for consumers at Certified Farmers Markets. This is the second time since the beginning of 1993 that Supervisor Dana has come to the aid of the farmers markets by fighting off proposed health permit fee increases.

The county health permit fee program for farmers markets began in January, 1993. At that time, consumers and farmers were assured that there would be no fee increase until the program was evaluated at the end of the calendar year.

So when a 24% fee increase was foisted on us (as well as all other county health permit holders), Supervisor Dana came to the rescue. He proposed that farmers markets be exempt from the fee increase. The county supervisors joined to vote down the health department’s fee increase attempt.

Since higher permit fees increase the farmers markets’ operating costs, these costs are passed on to farmers, who have little choice but to raise prices. Supervisor Dana’s efforts have had a direct effect on keeping prices low for shoppers on limited incomes.

SCOTT PEACOCK

Los Angeles