SAMPLING REQUIREMENTS

January 2008

A joint effort of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, The Kentucky Farmers' Market Association and the Department for Public Health, Food Safety Branch resulted in a guidance that allows approved vendors to offer samples of their products at registered farmers' markets and Farm Bureau Certified Roadside Markets.

A sample is not a ready-to-eat meal or even a snack. A sample is a small portion of the product that allows the customer to taste the productto encourage them to purchase the product. Sampling increases sales by allowing customers to try new products that they are not familiar with.

There are requirements that each vendor offering samples must meet before offering any samples.

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture or the Department for Public Health does not certify your samples. We only verify that you completed the required education programs.

IF THE PRODUCT IS A COOKED OR A PROCESSED PRODUCT

1. You must be a member of a KDA-registered farmers' market.

2. You must read the sampling chapter in the 2008-2009 Kentucky Farmers' Market Manual. Your market contact will receive

    the manuals when the market registers or you can click here for an electronic copy for that chapter. If you have dial-up

  click here for a copy of the chapter without pictures.

3. You must complete the Affidavit of Completion of Sampling Education and get all the questions correct. It is an open book

    "test" and we encourage vendors to get together and complete the test together. Click here for a copy of the test.

4. You must return the affidavit by mail to Janet Eaton at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture at the address on the form.

5. You must wait until you receive your certificate to offer samples.

6. You will be issued a Cooked or Processed Samples certificate.

7. You must display your certificate at the market at all times samples are being offered.

8. You are responsible to provide for each of the 8 basics of safe sampling each and every time you offer sampling.

IF THE PRODUCT IS A RAW, UNCOOKED AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT

1. You must complete the process outlined above PLUS you must attend and complete an approved Good Agricultural Practices

    (GAP) education program. These classes are offered through your Cooperative Extension Service or other classed set up by

    the partners.

2. The trainer will submit the names to KDA that will issue a GAP certificate and, if the affidavit referred to above is on file or is

    received by the KDA office, an All Samples Certificate.

3. You must display your certificate at the market at all times samples are being offered.