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New rules for farmers market

Some vendors must have sinks, running water
STEVE LEWIS/Durango Herald file<br><br>New regulations will require some vendors serving prepared food at the Durango Farmers Market to have a sink with soap, disposable paper towels and a self-flowing hot water dispenser.

New health regulations will be in effect when the Durango Farmers Market opens for its 18th season next month.

Customers probably won’t notice anything new when they pick up a snack, but vendors that sell prepared food will have to follow new rules required by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

On-site preparation of food, with the exception of fully-equipped mobile units, no longer will be allowed. Food must arrive at the market ready for sale or require only minimal assembly.

Vendors that have cut-fruit, vegetables or food that requires temperature control must have a current state retail food establishment license.

Vendors selling prepackaged food won’t need a hand sink, but all others, including vendors of unwrapped baked goods, must have a sink with soap, disposable paper towels and a self-flowing hot water dispenser.

The marching orders, which derive from the Colorado Cottage Food Act that became effective April 4, 2013, came from the state health department via the San Juan Basin Health Department.

“We got the instructions at the end of last summer,” Flannery O’Neil, the department public information officer, said Friday. “This won’t be a big change for most vendors.”

Cody Reinheimer, the farmers market manager, didn’t know how vendors are taking the changes.

“I just passed along the information,” Reinheimer said. “But I think most vendors are set up to comply.”

daler@durangoherald.com



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