Grass Valley Municipal Code Ch. 5.58 Locally or Regionally Grown Agricultural Products

A. The geographical boundaries of agricultural products marketed in Nevada County as "locally" or "regionally" grown are not uniformly defined, which has contributed to confusing, misleading, and often deceptive advertising with respect to the actual point of origin of the agricultural products.

B. The purpose of this section is to enhance consumer information, awareness, and choice in the selection and purchase of agricultural products marketed or advertised in Grass Valley as "locally" or "regionally" grown.

(Ord. No. 744, § 1, 4-23-2013)

A. All operators of produce stands, farmers' or growers' markets, and retail markets selling agricultural products that are marketed or advertised as "locally grown" or "regionally grown", or other substantially similar term shall prominently display for the consumer, at the location where such products are sold, a placard of at least five and one-half inches × eight and one-half inches in size that provides the following information in at least twenty-point font size:

ATTENTION CUSTOMERS

SOME OF OUR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS ARE ADVERTIZED AS LOCALLY OR REGIONALLY GROWN, THE TERMS "LOCAL" OR "REGIONAL" MAY MEAN SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO EACH CUSTOMER. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SPECIFIC AREA OR REGION IN WHICH THESE PARTICULAR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS WERE GROWN, PLEASE CONTACT AN EMPLOYEE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

(Ord. No. 744, § 1, 4-23-2013)

"Agricultural Product" shall mean any farm product, including fruit, nut, vegetable, berry or aquaculture product. (Cal Food and Agr. Code Section 56806.)

"Farmers' or Growers' Market" shall mean open markets, usually held outdoors, in public spaces, where farmers and others sell agricultural products to the public.

"Produce Stand" shall mean any temporary or permanent food facility or stand that sell agricultural products.

"Retail Market" shall mean any structure or area, including produce markets, retail markets, and supermarkets, which sell agricultural products in their raw or natural state.

(Ord. No. 744, § 1, 4-23-2013)

Any violation of this provision is unlawful and a public offense, and shall be a misdemeanor, unless otherwise specified by the agricultural commissioner, code compliance officer, or prosecuting attorney, to be an infraction. Each day that a violation exists, or continues, shall constitute a separate offense. Available enforcement activity may include criminal prosecution, nuisance abatement, civil litigation, injunctive relief, and administration citation as specified in Title 1 of the City Code.

(Ord. No. 744, § 1, 4-23-2013)