Assembly Concurrent Resolution
No. 81
CHAPTER 98
Relative to California Grown Certified Farmers’ Market Month.
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Filed with
Secretary of State
September 03, 1999.
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LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
ACR 81, Reyes.
California Grown Certified Farmers’ Market.
This measure would recognize August 1999 as California Grown Certified Farmers’ Market Month.
Digest Key
WHEREAS, Certified Farmers’ Markets are now serving over 400 different communities throughout California; and
WHEREAS, More than 4,000 California farmers use Certified Farmers’ Markets as the sole or major outlet for the fruits and vegetables produced on their farms; and
WHEREAS, The California system of Certified Farmers’ Markets, where only actual farmers can bring and sell directly to the public the California produce that they grow, is original and unique in the world of farmer’s markets; and
WHEREAS, California farmers bringing their produce directly from the field and selling directly to the public eliminates the farmers’ packing, labeling, shipping, and wholesale handling costs, thereby creating a major cost reduction needed to sustain the small acreage farmer and a significant shared savings to the income-challenged public; and
WHEREAS, Certified Farmers’ Markets have become important harmonious community meeting places, blending the various and diverse ethnic neighborhoods surrounding each location, and creating a positive atmosphere for the communities where they are located; and
WHEREAS, Certified Farmers’ Markets are almost exclusively operated by nonprofit organizations or city agencies, the missions of which are to bring California’s agricultural and urban communities together for their mutual benefit, increased communication, and mutual education; and
WHEREAS, Certified Farmers’ Markets are a major tool used by many California cities in their attempt to revitalize economically and socially depressed downtown area; and
WHEREAS, Certified Farmers’ Markets are instrumental in preserving the diversity of California agriculture by providing profitable marketing outlets for the small acreage growers of heirloom, culinary, ethnic, organic, no-pesticide, and other specialty crops not widely grown on a large scale or found at traditional food sources; and
WHEREAS, Certified Farmers’ Markets have become key educational mediums for a great number of school, health, and nutrition programs in their endeavor to increase the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables by at-risk members of the public, especially pregnant women, mothers breast-feeding their babies, and children of all ages; and
WHEREAS, California grown fruits and vegetables are, and should be, the safest, freshest, tastiest, and most nutritious fruits and vegetables in the world; and
WHEREAS, During the month of August a great diversity of California fruits and vegetables are produced by California growers, and is therefore an ideal time to showcase California growers and California grown produce; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes the month of August 1999 as California Grown Certified Farmers’ Market Month in the State of California, and urge all Californians to celebrate and become more aware of the bounty and values of California Certified Farmers’ Markets and California grown produce during that month; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.