Recently, the state of Montana has implemented a new law affecting the state requirements for hazardous food licensing. Existing law generally restricts a person from selling potentially hazardous food at a farmers’ market without a retail food establishment license. Montana’s new law, SB-199 or The Montana Local Food Act (TMLFA), allows the sale of some potentially hazardous homemade food and homemade food products by producers at traditional community events, including farmers’ markets. While the Act generally allows for the sale of such products without a license, it does not restrict farmers’ markets from maintaining more stringent requirements. Farmers’ markets could, as a condition of participation, require all vendors to be licensed, registered, or permitted through the local health authority.
We know our vendors the GVFM take their responsibility for public health very seriously, so this has yet to become a problem or contention. Nevertheless, the GVFM will still be requiring retail food licenses for all vendors selling any potentially hazardous foods including:
- Any foods requiring refrigeration or cooking
- Any and all meat or poultry products
- Dairy Products
- Seafood
- Sauces & Dressings
- Pickles
- Salsas & Dips
The GVFM also strongly encourages adequate labeling for all packaged food items.
If you have questions regarding GVFM’s rules and regulations in relation to TMLFA, please contact us and our manager would be happy to talk with you.
