Lafayette Farmers Market Wins Approval

The Lafayette City Council, anticipating another season of produce, meat, wine and community group events at the Lafayette Farmer’s Market, approved the city's agreement with Contra Costa Certified Farmer’s Markets (CCCFM) for the 2011 season.

Council member Carol Federighi introduced the agenda item at the council's Monday night meeting by asking what time the farmer’s market would be out of its downtown location on Thursday evenings.

The market’s closing time was understood by the council to be 7 p.m., yet the requested “out of there time” was 8:30. With the understanding that it took only one hour to clear all of the vendors from Lafayette Plaza, Federighi requested clarification of the 90 minute time frame.

Moira Motil, the Lafayette market’s site manager, explained that an extra 30 minutes had been requested to allow for unexpected delays. Last year, a farmer lost his keys and another had a flat tire, resulting in a later departure time than permitted.

Council member Mike Anderson suggested the city could have consideration for these kinds of complications without changing the official times stated in the contract.

Motil agreed to make every attempt to be “out of there” by 8 p.m.

Council member Don Tatzin reminded Neu about taxable sales and encouraging the vendors to comply with applicable laws.

The market will start no earlier than 3:30 p.m. and will end at dusk or by 7 p.m., whichever is earlier. There will be no cost to the city for the May to September season.

The CCCFM has submitted a list of Non-Certified Vendor categories for city review and approval, as well as a letter from the Lafayette United Methodist Church, allowing the farmers to park their vehicles in church parking lots on market day.