| Farm markets |
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| Introduction |
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Fresh fruits, vegetables, plants, tasty ready-to-eat foods, crafts, and more greet you at nearly 70 Farm Markets found throughout Oregon.
From Astoria to Brookings and Portland to Ontario, the majority of Markets are open seasonally from early spring to late fall, with a few hearty year round markets.
What does the Department of Agriculture require of me in order to be a vendor at my local market? What kind of scale do I need? Where do I get a license? Will someone test my scale? Is it ok to sell my produce by the head, bunch or count? These are just a few of the questions that the Measurement Standards Division can assist you with.
We have inspectors around the state to assist you at the Markets, attending informational meetings or by appointment to test your scale at home or primary place of business. For a complete list of inspectors, visit our MSD Staff list.
For specific questions, please contact Christine Parks in the office by phone 503/986-4676 or cellular 503/510-1310.
This page is for the Measurement Standards Division requirements of farmer's market participants. There are other requirements, within the Department of Agriculture and within the Farmer's Market Association, to follow also.
We have gathered a few resources below for further information on farmer's markets:
Your farmer's market manager and the Department of Agriculture, Measurement Standards Division, welcomes you to your local farmer's market. In order to assist you in making your experience as quick and simple as possible, we have assembled the following information in brochure form. To open a pdf file to print and pass out to farmer's market participants, please see the following links:
Oregon farmer's market guide (pdf 126 kB)
Recommended methods of sale for fresh fruits & vegetables (pdf 116 kB)
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| Guidelines for scale users |
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Basic responsibilities
Scales used commercially in Oregon:
- Must be licensed annually with the department prior to commercial use, and
- Must meet state standards for design, readability, accuracy, and reliability, based on National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Handbook 44.
Operator's responsibilities
- Weighing devices must be positioned so that the indication may be read and the weighing operation observed from the customer's position.
- The user of the device is responsible for the accuracy of the scale at all times.
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| Scale requirements |
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What type of devices can be used commercially?
Oregon regulations require all commercially used weighing equipment to have an active National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) Certificate of Conformance.
How can I find out which scales have an active NTEP certificate?
You can contact the scale company or check the NTEP database online.
Are there any exceptions for bench (spring) dial scales?
Yes. Non-NTEP approved scales may be used commercially provided they:
- Are non-price-computing, non-electric mechanical scales of 50 kg (110 lb) capacity or less,
- Meet other Scale Code requirements in NIST Handbook 44,
- Have a minimum of 240 scale divisions,
- Are intended for Class III applications excluding precious metals and semi precious gem weighing, and
- Have a division size of 1 oz or smaller if used for retail food sales and are less than 50 pounds capacity.
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| Licensing |
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How do I acquire a license for my weighing device?
Contact the Measurement Standards Division to request a license application for a farmer´s market scale. Your application will be sent along with other informational handouts. Please contact us by:
Phone 503/986-4670
Fax 503/986-4784
Email msd-info@oda.state.or.us
How much does a device license cost?
License fees are based upon the scale's manufacturer rated capacity. Scales used for Farm markets are generally type A Scales (0-400pound capacity). License fees are for 1 year, spanning July 1 to June 30, and are not proratable. Please see our weighing and measuring device licenses page for current license fees.
When can I begin using my weighing device?
You may start using your scale as soon as you submit a license application with payment to the Measurement Standards Division. One of our field inspectors will make arrangements to test and certify your scale when they are in your area.
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| Method of sale |
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The list of recommended methods of sale for fresh fruits and vegetables was compiled to provide uniformity and value comparison. Please review the following list and contact Chris Parks at the Measurement Standards Division for further assistance.
Commodity
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Method of Sale
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Apples
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Weight, count, or dry measure in units of 1 peck, 1/2 bushel, or 1 bushel
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Apricots
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Weight
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Artichokes
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Weight or count
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Asparagus
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Weight or bunch
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Avocados
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Count
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Bananas
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Weight
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Beans
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Weight or dry measure in units of 1 peck, 1/2 bushel, or 1 bushel
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Beets
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Weight or bunch
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Berries (all)
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Weight or dry measure in units of 1/2 dry pint, 1 dry pint, or 1 dry quart
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Broccoli
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Weight or bunch
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Brussel sprouts
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Weight
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Cabbage
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Weight or count
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Cantaloupes
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Weight or count
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Carrots
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Weight or bunch
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Cauliflower
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Weight or bunch
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Celery
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Weight or count
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Cherries
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Weight or dry measure in units of 1/2 dry pint, 1 dry pint, or 1 dry quart
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Coconuts
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Weight or count
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Corn on the cob
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Count
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Cranberries
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Weight or dry measure in units of 1/2 dry pint, 1 dry pint, or 1 dry quart
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Cucumbers
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Weight or count
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Currants
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Weight or dry measure in units of 1/2 dry pint, 1 dry pint, or 1 dry quart
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Dates
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Weight
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Eggplant
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Weight or count
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Escarole
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Weight or count
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Figs
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Weight
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Garlic
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Weight or count
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Grapefruits
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Weight or count
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Grapes
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Weight
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Greens (all)
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Weight
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Kale
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Weight
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Kohlrabi
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Weight
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Leeks
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Weight
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Lemons
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Weight or count
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Lettuce
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Weight or count
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Limes
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Weight or count
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Mangoes
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Weight or count
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Melons (whole)
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Weight or count
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Melons (cut or pieces)
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Weight
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Mushrooms
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Weight or dry measure in units of 1/2 dry pint, 1 dry pint, or 1 dry quart
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Nectarines
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Weight or count
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Okra
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Weight
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Onions (spring or green)
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Weight or bunch
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Onions (dry)
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Weight
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Oranges
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Weight or count
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Papaya
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Weight or count
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Parsley
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Weight or bunch
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Parsnips
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Weight
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Peaches
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Weight, count, or dry measure in units of 1 peck, 1/2 bushel, or 1 bushel
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Pears
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Weight, count, or dry measure in units of 1 peck, 1/2 bushel, or 1 bushel
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Peas
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Weight
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Peppers
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Weight or count
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Persimmons
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Weight or count
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Plums
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Weight or dry measure in units of 1 peck, 1/2 bushel, or 1 bushel
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Pineapples
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Weight or count
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Pomegranates
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Weight or count
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Potatoes (Irish or sweet)
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Weight
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Prunes
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Weight
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Pumpkins
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Weight or count
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Radishes
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Weight or count
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Rhubarb
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Weight
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Rutabagas
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Weight
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Spinach
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Weight or bunch
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Tangerines
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Weight or count
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Tomatoes
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Weight, count, or dry measure in units of 1 peck, 1/2 bushel, or 1 bushel
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Tomatoes (cherry)
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Weight or dry measure in units of 1/2 dry pint, 1 dry pint, or 1 dry quart
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Turnips
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Weight or bunch
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