Do I Need a License to Sell Produce in Michigan?

You might be wondering if you require a license or permission if you intend to sell fruit in Michigan. Yes, a license is necessary to sell vegetables in Michigan. All people and businesses who sell produce are required to obtain a license from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). This covers produce stands in farmers markets, on the side of the road, and elsewhere.

You must fill out an application and submit it to the MDARD in order to get a license. The application will ask for details about your company, such as where the fruit will be marketed and what kinds of produce you want to sell. A food safety plan and proof of insurance may also be requested from you.

You might also need to adhere to other rules in addition to obtaining a license. For instance, you must obtain additional licenses and adhere to food safety laws if you sell meat or dairy products.

Agriculture can be practiced in two different ways: for subsistence and for profit. A farmer engages in subsistence farming when they just grow enough food for their family’s consumption and perhaps a small amount more for trade or sale. When farmers practice commercial farming, they make food to sell to the general public. Here are five distinctions between commercial and subsistence farming:

1. Scale – While commercial farming is normally carried out on a big scale, subsistence farming is typically carried out on a small scale. 2. Purpose – While commercial farming is primarily concerned with making a profit, subsistence farming is primarily concerned with feeding the family. 3. Technology – Commercial agriculture employs more sophisticated technology than does subsistence agriculture. 4. Labor – While commercial farming necessitates paid labor, subsistence farming is frequently carried out by the farmer and their family. 5. Productivity – Commercial agriculture generates more food than subsistence agriculture.

Farmers that practice subsistence farming produce just enough food for their family’s consumption and possibly a tiny amount extra for trade or sale. The following four traits of subsistence farming are: 1. Small scale – Subsistence farming is often carried out on a small scale, using only as much land as necessary to feed the family. Low technology – Farmers that practice subsistence farming often employ low technology, such as hand tools and straightforward methods.

3. Variety – To provide a varied and wholesome diet, subsistence farmers frequently plant a range of crops and keep livestock. 4. Self-sufficiency – Subsistence farmers produce their own food and rely on minimal outside inputs, making them self-sufficient.

Nowhere is appropriate for you to erect a booth to sell produce. You will have to ask the land manager or the owner of the property for permission. You must also adhere to any rules or licenses imposed by the neighborhood government.

The Rungis International Market in Paris, France, is the biggest farmers market on earth. The market employs about 12,000 people and has a 234 hectare footprint. It functions largely as a wholesale market, serving restaurants and stores across France and Europe with fresh food. Public access to the market is available, however guests must be accompanied by a customer or authorized tour guide.