At least one longtime vendor at the Durango Farmers Market won’t return this year because of state health regulations, which were implemented last year and affect direct sale of food to the public.
Kelly Thompson, who sold breakfast burritos at the Saturday event for 13 years, won’t be back.
“We can’t afford a mobile cart or truck for just one day a week,” she said.
She works for an insurance office, and her husband teaches school in Aztec. They live in Ignacio but have a commercial kitchen in Cortez where they prepare ingredients for about 200 burritos per market and assemble the burritos at the Farmers Market.
As of this year, that procedure is a no-no.
On-site preparation of food, with the exception of fully equipped mobile units, no longer will be allowed. Food must arrive at the market ready for sale or require only minimal assembly.
Vendors who have cut-fruit, vegetables or food requiring temperature control must have a current state Retail Food Establishment license. When products are prepared in advance at a different location, a Retail Food Establishment license or wholesale food registration is required.
Vendors selling prepackaged food won’t need a hand sink, but all others, including vendors of unwrapped hand foods such as pastries and pizza must have a sink with soap, disposable paper towels and a self-flowing hot water dispenser.
Representatives of Bread bakery and Fired Up Pizza – vendors of on-site prepared food – said they will be back this year with the requisite equipment.
The Farmers Market will open its 18th season May 10.
The regulations, which derive from the Colorado Cottage Food Act that became effective April 4, 2013, came from the state health department via the San Juan Basin Health Department.
In a statement issued last summer as the legislation took effect, the state health department said special events such as farmers markets have evolved over the years to involve more than uncut fruits and vegetables.
Among special events are regularly scheduled happenings at sporting arenas, concert halls, flea markets and farmers markets where retail food is prepared and served. They fall under the new guidelines, state health officials said.
The regulations don’t apply to temporary events – defined as a single community celebration that lasts no longer than 14 consecutive days, according to the state.
daler@durangoherald.com