To sell food at the Fernie Mountain Market you must provide us with:

• - Temporary Food Market letter of acceptance and confirmation from the IHA (see link below for application)
• - Provide a list of foods being sold.

and ensure that:

• Food handlers observe good personal hygiene
• - Food products should be protected from sources of contamination at all times
• - Display cases, counters and shelves are made from easily cleanable material, maintained in good condition and cleaned as often as necessary.
• - A satisfactory means of cleaning hands and utensils is provided including running water, soap in a dispenser and paper towels should be provided.
• A 22.7 liter (5 gal) plastic water jug with spigot is generally acceptable as the water source.

The Guidelines for the Sale of Foods at Temporary Food Marketss were released in 2007 as a result of consultation with BC Centre for Disease Control, BC Regional Health Authorities and BC Association of Farmers' Markets. This document addresses food preparation for sale at temporary food markets (aka. farmers markets), food sale guidelines, the responsibility of Market Managers and the applicable forms. The 2010 version may be downloaded at the bottom of this page, or by clicking here http://www.bcfarmersmarket.org/ind/pdf/foodsaleguidelines11.pdf

Included below are a few of the main point of this document, for more details please read the full document.

Approval.....
All food vendors (any vendor selling any food items) must obtain approval from the local Health Authority's Environmental Health Officer. before being able to sell at the Mountain Market. The Health Authority will issue a letter of acceptance for an approved application. To participate in the Mountain Market, a copy of this letter of approval must be submitted to the Mountain Market Coordinator as well as a list of all foods intending to be sold.

Timing...
Generally applications should be submitted to at least 30 days prior to commencement of the market/sales [Our nearest Health Inspection Office is located at 20 – 23rd Avenue South Cranbrook, BC V1C 5V1, Phone: (250) 420-2220, Fax: (250) 420-2295. Gordon Mosley.

NOTE: Vendors who sell ONLY fresh whole fruits and vegetables (no sampling) are not required to submit an application, and do not require a letter of acceptance, but must still follow food sales guidelines.

Food Sales
Food products should be protected from sources of contamination at all times, including contact by pets, during storage and display at the market. A satisfactory means of cleaning hands and utensils need to be provided.

Food Safe
The Mountain Market recommends that all food vendors complete the FOODSAFE Level 1 program. This course covers safe food handling techniques and includes microbiology, food-borne illness, personal hygiene, receiving, storing, serving and dispensing food, food protection, preparation and diswashing. Course graduates receive a Level 1 certificate from Interior Health, it is required by the Ministry of Health to work in the food service industry. The course is offered at College of the Rockies for around $70 and includes manual http://www.cotr.bc.ca or you can also take the course online at http://www.openschool.bc.ca/foodsafe/infopage.html for $105.

Market Safe
MarketSafe is a food safety training program for farmers and producers who make, bake or grow products to sell at local farmers' markets, farm gates or other types of temporary food markets. MarketSafe was developed by the BC FOODSAFE Secretariat in partnership with the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets, and is supported by the Regional Health Authorities, the BC Centre for Disease Control, and the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands. http://www.foodsafe.ca/marketsafe

IHA
The Interior Health Authority is the regulating body for food safety in our region. To learn more visit http://www.interiorhealth.ca/health-and-safety.aspx?id=500

Click on the link below and take a read. If you have any questions please contact us, we'd be glad to give you a hand figuring this document out.