Legal Considerations for Choosing Direct to Consumer Farm Markets

Your farm’s success hinges on what market channel you sell through. Many factors go into this important strategic decision. Some are personal, such as your financial situation and goals, your skill set, your personal preferences, and what opportunities you may already have available. Some are legal considerations, e.g., the legal risks of each channel, employment and food safety regulations, and sales contracts. This guide will help you navigate the benefits, challenges, and legal considerations of the most popular market channels for small farmers including community supported agriculture (CSA), farmers markets, restaurants, grocery stores, co-op markets, and distributors.