EDITORIAL: It’s unfortunate small vendors are having to pay for poor practices of industrial farms [Greeley Tribune, Colo.]

May 22--One of our favorite summer events is the opening of the Greeley Farmers Market at the Depot in downtown Greeley.

Fresh produce, much of it locally grown and freshly picked, is available at reasonable prices. We enjoy the convivial atmosphere and being able to actually purchase food from the person who grew it.

We hope that doesn't change now that the city of Greeley is requiring all vendors to carry $600,000 in general liability insurance. The insurance is meant to protect both vendors and the city should someone get sick from food purchased at the farmers market.

Not that farmers markets are known as a hot beds for foodborne illnesses. Ironically, it's usually large producers that are responsible for illness outbreaks, such as the listeria outbreak attributed to Jensen Farms in southeastern Colorado last year. Huge food companies, such as Tyson, Dole and Del Monte, have been responsible for other recent outbreaks.

So, it's unfortunate our hyper-litigous society is now forcing tiny, backyard producers to carry this type of insurance just to sell a few cucumbers and tomatoes.

We can't really blame the city for requiring the insurance. Most other cities have similar requirements, and it would honestly just take one small outbreak of a foodborne illness to fall back on the city for sponsoring the farmers market. This could result in thousands of dollars of taxpayer money potentially at risk in a lawsuit.

Still, the insurance requirement is likely to force some smaller farmers market vendors out of business, and we think that's unfortunate. It really goes against the spirit of the market, which originally was meant to encourage local growers and give them a market for their produce.

If only larger farmers -- many of who already carry the insurance -- can now afford to take part in the farmers market, then that original goal isn't really being met. It would certainly be nice if some sort of a blanket policy could be purchased at a much cheaper rate for multiple smaller producers that might allow them to stay at the market while protecting their liability.

Customers also might see the negative side of the insurance requirement if vendors have to raise prices in order to pay the insurance premium. Profit margins are already slim for most of these producers. Raising prices might be the only way they be financially viable and stay at the market.

Overall, requiring vendors to carry this insurance is just a sad sign of the times. But we hope residents will continue to support these local farmers, even if it means paying a few cents more for the fresh produce.

The farmers market is a popular summer event, and we want it to continue to be successful and relevant.

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(c)2012 the Greeley Tribune (Greeley, Colo.)

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