Thomas and Diana Morley
Date: Sun, 2 May 1999
Dear friends--
Joan Taramasso, Napa Farmers' Market Manager, had a letter to the editor published in the Napa Register on 4/30/99. She said that legislation is currently proposed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) that will effectively do away with more than 300 California farmers' markets as of Jan. 1, 2000. Section 1392.1.2 of Assembly Bill 593 expires as of 1/1/00. The CDFA proposes allowing it to expire, which will repeal and eliminate all the sections in the California Code of Regulations that allow the operation of all farmers' markets in the state. The result of expiration and the loss of exemptions that allow for direct marketing would make the markets illegal.
The apparent willingness of the CDFA to allow the exemptions to expire seems to be related to lobbying by supermarkets, because farmers' markets sales detract from supermarket sales.
It is too late to mail letters, but you can fax your letters in support of all farmers' markets to the CDFA (1220 N Street, Room A-447, Sacramento, CA 95814) at 916-654-0666 by May 7. We encourage you to write even just a brief note to let the legislature know your views. Out-of-state support would ultimately help strengthen the cause for all farmers' markets.
Thank you,
Thomas and Diana Morley
----------
From Napa News
Dear editor, As the manager of the Napa Downtown Farmers' Market, I am writing to ask the citizens of Napa for help. It has just come to my attention that there is legislation currently proposed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) that will effectively do away with Farmers' Markets all together as of Jan. 1, 2000.
The legislation is Assembly Bill 593. Section 1392.1.2 of this bill expires as of Jan. 1, 2000, and if it expires will repeal and eliminate all the sections in the California Code of Regulations which allow the operation of over 300 Farmers' Markets in the state of California. Apparently the section regulating Farmers' Markets was something of an add-on to a larger bill. The result of expiration and the loss of exemptions which allow for direct marketing would make the markets illegal.
I don't mean to sound flippant, however, at this point in time, if you were considering writing a letter in support of the Chef's Market I suggest you switch gears and write that letter in support of all Farmers' Markets. To make your thoughts known to the CDFA, you need to send your letter before May 3 to this address: CDFA, 1220 N St., Room A-447, Sacramento, 95814, with a copy to Governor Gray Davis, Governor's Office, Sacramento, 95814.
I thank you very much for any help you can give us with this issue and if you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 252-7142 or e-mail me. The Tuesday Napa Farmers' Market will be opening next week, May 4, and we will look forward to seeing you there.
Sincerely,
Joan Taramasso
Market Manager
Napa