Thursday, May 28, 2009

Health Department?

Last night's market meeting went well. The rain stayed away and Francesca was more than helpful. There was an excitement in the air that can only have come from a community coming together to help one another, what an array of talented and hard working people trying to make a difference. Attendance was excellent. It looks like we have a real market on our hands. The farmers and producers are as excited as we are about making this a reality. The vendors were thrilled with the meal we served.The health department, on the other hand, wants to make it difficult. Foodborne illness does not come from small family farms. It comes from factory farms. I'm going to trust food that was produced by a guy named Clay way before I trust food produced by Tyson. We are the only market in the county who is following the Ohio Uniform Food Safety Code. We are also the only market in the county being targeted by the health department. Shame on them. The health department representative had no problem wolfing down a hamburger. She must have known the meat was kept at or below 41 damn degrees.

2 comments:

  1. Hey Kyle, Do you know if there will be someone there that I can strike a deal with? Like if I wanted to buy a small quantity of chickens, or place an order for 1/4 beef, stuff like that?

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  2. Sure. We have vendors selling beef and pork. As far as chicken, you will probably find someone who is permitted to sell it off farm, meaning you'll have to visit their farm. We have no chicken vendors at this time. In order to be able to sell beef, pork or chicken one must have it slaughtered and packaged at an Ohio Department of Agriculture licensed facility. This is not always cost effective for small farmers. The rules do allow them to sell it to you off farm, however.

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