In response to questions concerning the growing trend of local Farmers Markets, the City of Dallas has recently formed a team to review health and code aspects of these markets.

That could mean changes for a new local favorite of Lake Highlands, the White Rock Local Market.

Guest columnist, vendor and local gardener Heather Rinaldi helps LH Today readers get up to speed on the latest developments concerning the issue.


According to Jack Ireland, Executive General Manager for the City of Dallas, "The City Manager has established a working group consisting of staff from Code Compliance, Office of Environmental Quality, Sustainable Development and Construction, and the Dallas Farmer's Market to review issues including zoning, code enforcement, health permits, federal and state laws to begin developing recommendations relating to these markets. A City Council Committee will be briefed on the topic in about 90 days.”

Currently, the hosts of the local markets are required to obtain a Temporary Food Establishment Permit Request, at a cost of $150. Different market hosts and vendors have been given different variations of the permit needs, which has lead to some confusion.

Some are being told that every vendor would require permits of at least $150, which in turn could only be used once every 3 months. A recent call to ask the Dallas Environmental Health Office what permits vendors might need to participate in a local market yielded a response of, “there is no permit available” for vendors at local markets.

This begs the questions of “Why then have markets been shut down over the summer, when there was no known permit to request?” as well as “Why are market hosts and vendors getting conflicting information?”

Vendors have repeatedly expressed frustration over the conflicting communication and report that neighboring cities welcome these farmers. City staff - in those municipalities - have clear and easy guidelines to enable the farmers affordable and easy access to their local markets.

It can be argued that with the rapid growth of these local markets, the City of Dallas has just not had time to adjust.

Mr. Ireland states, “Many of these (markets) are operating without the necessary permits or approvals. While the markets are entrepreneurial in nature, promote purchase of local produce, and encourage healthy eating habits, it is necessary for the city to ensure that they are operated in a manner that also protects public health."

Perhaps the various communications and misunderstandings by market hosts and vendors stem from a lack of current City of Dallas guidelines to deal specifically with the rising phenomenon of local markets?