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Farmers market operators ask council to allow lightly processed farm products and sales of Washington-grown alcohol
Summary
Market directors proposed code changes to permit processed farm goods (jams, cheese, dried goods) and, on a limited case-by-case basis, sales of Washington-grown beer, cider and wine at Lions Club Park; the council took the presentation under advisement and noted the change would require code amendments and public-health checks.
Market organizers appearing before the City Council on March 11 asked the city to revise municipal code so small growers can sell lightly processed farm products at the official farmers market and so locally grown, producer-made alcohol could be sold to take away (not consumed on site) in limited cases.
What organizers asked for: Kelly Osborne, market director, and Matt Garrett, board president, said the market’s current code exempts only “unprocessed farm products,” which excludes commonly produced goods—cheese, jams, dried herbs and farm-produced beer, cider and wine—where the farmer handled both production and growing. They requested either removing “unprocessed” from the exemption or adopting a positive list of approved farm-processed products and a case-by-case approach for Washington-grown farm beverages.
Public health and regulatory safeguards: Market operators said they require vendors selling processed or temperature-controlled foods to provide WSDA licensing, food-handler permits and county health approval; county health inspects new vendors who prepare hot or cold items. City staff said food-safety rules and liability remain county responsibilities and that prepared-food vendors already must follow health-code permitting.
Alcohol sales request: Market leaders asked that Washington-grown beverages made by growers be allowed for sale at the Lions Club Park market, limited in number and subject to proof of farm origin and health requirements. Some councilmembers raised concerns that allowing sales could conflict with downtown businesses; market leaders responded that many markets elsewhere boost tourism and “lift all boats.” One councilmember proposed limiting the number of beverage vendors and ensuring that a majority of sales at the market remain from growers.
Council response and process: Councilmembers thanked presenters and suggested changes of this nature should be added to the code-docket for formal amendment (a process that includes 60-day review and public hearings). Staff noted that any change would likely take months to complete and would be scheduled as part of the city’s regular code-docketing process.
Next steps: Market operators were encouraged to pursue a formal code amendment petition and work with staff and the county health department on permit, sampling and vendor-inspection protocols before the next season.
