Direct marketing: certified farmers' markets.

(1) Existing law requires, until January 1, 2014, that every operator of a certified farmers' market remit to the Department of Food and Agriculture a fee equal to the number of certified producer certificates and other agricultural producers participating on each market day for the entire previous quarter to be deposited in the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund and used by the department, upon appropriation by the Legislature, as specified. This bill would extend these provisions until January 1, 2018. (2) Existing law authorizes California farmers to transport for sale and sell California-grown fresh fruits, nuts, and vegetables that they produce, directly to the public at a certified farmers' market, as specified. Existing law provides that it is unlawful for any person operating under these provisions to commit certain acts related to the conduct of farmers' markets, including to deceptively prepare, pack, place, deliver, load, ship, transport, or sell those products. Existing law, until January 1, 2014, provides that in lieu of prosecution, but not precluding suspension or revocation of certified producer's certificates or certified farmers' market certificates, the Secretary of Food and Agriculture or a county agricultural commissioner may levy a civil penalty against a person who violates these provisions or any regulation implemented pursuant to these provisions, as specified. This bill would extend the provision authorizing the civil penalty until January 1, 2018. (3) This bill would also make clarifying changes.