Brownwood Farmer's Market - Food Handling

[Villageshooter]

]Was at the Farmers market on Saturday at Brownwood, was wonderful looking stand with baked goods on it,, problem is NONE of them were covered at all, no sneeze guard! there was a customer that had a cigerette in his hand and was paying for his items, was waving his hand with the cig in it over these uncovered baked goods. Was open season for people to cough or sneeze on the baked goods... Is a HUGE health department issue! This was only stand that had it this way... I made mention to the guy behind the counter,, he just shrugged his shoulders.... if he did not care this much at his stand,, how much care does he give when he makes the treats??? guy in the pic is guy that shrugged his shoulders. i was standing on the side of the table where customer had cig

[IMG]https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/members/villageshooter-28104/albums/health-scare-brownwood-farmers-market/4279-there-no-sneeze-guard-all-customer-has-cigarette-hand-waving-them-over-items.jpg

[villavillager]

I spoke to the manager on the phone about the health code violations and I was told that he knows the Wildwood health inspector and so it is OK. I am assuming he meant the Marion County health inspector. They are also selling beef from coolers in one stall. There is no way you can keep the product at the recommended temp for any length of time when you are opening and closing the cooler. By the way, the manager, Jerry Underwood, is a Villager.

[Villageshooter]

I am VERY careful when I purchase at a farmers market,,, you never know what has been sprayed on the produce,, they dont have to follow USDA regs,,,, as far as being clean, i always look to see if there stand is neat, they have taken a bath in the last week... at some farmers markets the folks selling are real dirtbags,,, Saturday was a guy at a produce stand was smoking a cig while taking $$ selling produce.

[Phanatic Luvr]

Dear Villavillager, What would a Marion County Health Inspector have anything to do with the Farmer's Market in Brownwood? Brownwood is Sumter County.

[Golfingnut]

We asked for an open air market and we now have a great one at Brownwood. If that style of market bothers you, please use one of the regulated grocery stores for your products and leave the open air markets to those of us that appreciate what they do. It is my opinion that you are more likely to pick something up in your favorite deli than in an open air market.

[Barefoot]

We asked for an open air market and we now have a great one at Brownwood. If that style of market bothers you, please use one of the regulated grocery stores for your products and leave the open air markets to those of us that appreciate what they do. It is my opinion that you are more likely to pick something up in your favorite deli than in an open air market.

I think Villageshooter was trying to be helpful with his posted comments. I feel that it is sometimes beneficial to hear more than one viewpoint on a new service or product.

[Golfingnut]

I think Villageshooter was trying to be helpful with his posted comments. I feel that it is sometimes beneficial to hear more than one viewpoint on a new service or product.


I am sure you are right that Villageshooter was trying to be helpful; however, I am trying to be helpful as well. Open air markets do not and should not follow the same regulations of Grocery or specialty stores. If open air markets were then I fear we would not have any and I for one enjoy market style shopping. I, without proof, believe that the majority of food born illnesses are spawned in the warehouses and back rooms of commercial food sources and not by the farmer nor by grandma's kitchen. Keep in mind, that bacteria that ferments over days in stored food is more of the culprit than a bucket full of dirt. And good morning everyone on this last day of 2012.

[nkrifats]

I am sure you are right that Villageshooter was trying to be helpful; however, I am trying to be helpful as well. Open air markets do not and should not follow the same regulations of Grocery or specialty stores. If open air markets were then I fear we would not have any and I for one enjoy market style shopping. I, without proof, believe that the majority of food born illnesses are spawned in the warehouses and back rooms of commercial food sources and not by the farmer nor by grandma's kitchen. Keep in mind, that bacteria that ferments over days in stored food is more of the culprit than a bucket full of dirt. And good morning everyone on this last day of 2012.

I have to agree with Golfingnut. It is a farmers market and they have been that way for years. Worry about the big stuff and not the small stuff. FYI, That particular vendor is great and they have a great product.

[graciegirl]

I didn't buy from that stand because I thought the baked goods were very expensive and I bake.

I think that it looked no different than street markets around the world and I am still kickin'.

I didn't buy meat there. Just because, I don't know why.

Aw but the vegetables. Oh the vegetables were wonderful. My favorite stand had the whole family present with the little kids there too, several of them and they were fun to talk to as well.

But Villageshooter well could be right. Yes he could. I read what he said.

I will go back every Saturday and buy the vegetables and fruits too.

So glad it is there.

[tainsley]

Living in So Jersey for many years there were farmers markets every few miles! Glad to have Brownwood Farmers Market close to home! Wash the veggies before eating. I wouldn't buy meat from a cooler. I think the stand selling breads and pastries is way overpriced for my pocketbook (I bake as well) but it is always crowded and everything does look good! I go to the market every Saturday...love it!

[billlaur]

Great Market and social gathering, now that the word is out on this guy,vendor,he should see his sales go down and im sure he will be told he made it on the talk of the villages,and then he will clean up his act or be down the road...

[JoeC1947]

So far everything I bought at the market went rotten in three days. That includes, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant. I'll not shop there again.

[jnieman]

I saw a head of nappa cabbage there (the kind you use to make asian salad the one with the ramen noodles). It was priced at $2.00. Last week I bought one at Publix for $7.00 and the one at the farm market looked much better. I for one love the Brownwood farm market, but can understand the hygiene issues. It probably wouldn't hurt if they covered everything with saran wrap.

[Cantwaittoarrive]

Living in So Jersey for many years there were farmers markets every few miles! Glad to have Brownwood Farmers Market close to home! Wash the veggies before eating. I wouldn't buy meat from a cooler. I think the stand selling breads and pastries is way overpriced for my pocketbook (I bake as well) but it is always crowded and everything does look good! I go to the market every Saturday...love it!

I agree it good to have the market. It's also good to have the different points of view. I only buy from the stands that I feel look "clean" but who knows how clean they really are? I spent a lot of time in India and all of the stalls in Brownwood look cleaner than the stands I bought from in India where they just spread out the wares on the road. Somehow I survived that so I expect I will survive Brownwood

[PaPaLarry]

I saw a head of nappa cabbage there (the kind you use to make asian salad the one with the ramen noodles). It was priced at $2.00. Last week I bought one at Publix for $7.00 and the one at the farm market looked much better. I for one love the Brownwood farm market, but can understand the hygiene issues. It probably wouldn't hurt if they covered everything with saran wrap.
Yes, the hygeine issues should be addressed, but don't stop going to market. Hopefully, like you said, maybe they will hear about this on Talk of The Villages, and clean up their act. I like the idea of "fresh" when purchasing fruits and veggies. This time of year, your not going to get too many local veggies etc, but in another 2 months things will be flourishing with local stuff. And when the local tomatoes start to come? Yummy!!! I haven't seen too many comments on prices??? (so I take it they are ok) Happy New Years Everyone

[Jaggy]

My First time at the market was Sat. I thought it was wonderful.. bought great produce.. a fly landed on the baked goods .... the gentlemen selling them was very nice, but I wouldn't buy due to them being uncovered..by the way, does anyone know where you can buy Mayport shrimp?? The vendor at Brownwood said his supplier was farm raised shrimp.. I miss my "real" shrimp..

[dmorhome]

all for what you said,i agree


QUOTE=Golfingnut;601628]We asked for an open air market and we now have a great one at Brownwood. If that style of market bothers you, please use one of the regulated grocery stores for your products and leave the open air markets to those of us that appreciate what they do. It is my opinion that you are more likely to pick something up in your favorite deli than in an open air market.[/QUOTE]

[NotGolfer]

Produce is priced well compared to the grocery stores here. I see no difference in how long they last. I've had some from the store spoil quickly as well as the markets. I will continue going to the farmer's market for my items. As for the bakery items...I've watched HGTV where they've shown places all over the world with open air vendors...much the same as this. I've been in bakeries and restaurants here where the folks could also use some fetching up. So each person probably needs to be discresionary about where they purchase.

[Happinow]

I love the Farmer's market. I did not see the stand with the uncovered items but I would never buy anything that wasn't wrapped or covered. If this vendor can't take the time to make sure his items are presented properly then how clean is his kitchen and baking habits??? Kinda like a restaurant that has a dirty bathroom.....tells ya something about their kitchen and restaurant cleanliness. I bought some baked breads from one vendor and all items were individually wrapped. They were yummy and I would buy from them again. I've also been in the Cotillion Cafe and they leave all of thei baked good out in open air all day where customers are sneezing and walking by them. I can imagine that this would pass health codes. While the desserts looks yummy, I did not eat any because I think it's very unsanitary to leave food out in open air amongst hundreds of people. No unwrapped baked goods for me.

[mulligan]

HUGE HEALTH PROBLEM ?? Don't think so. Customer wandering around with bubonic plague is a huge health problem. Wandering around OUTSIDE with a cigarette, not so much. Also, the reason the vegetables go bad so fast when compared to grocery store goods, is that they are actually ripe when picked, not half-ripened in a truck or warehouse. The famous cities where they have a lot of open air markets also have people that shop daily, and do not store for extended periods.

[Mikeod]

We buy regularly from the meat stand. The meat is frozen solid when we buy it, and we have been there when the market opens and when it is close to closing. When we get it home, it is still frozen solid. That company sells its product around the country and is featured at some Disney restaurants. It is unfair to state categorically that the meat cannot possibly be kept at the proper temp when it is obvious the writer never examined what was being sold out of the coolers.

And, BTW, their product is delicious. And try their homemade soap.

[KyWoman]

We have an outdoor freezer that we used on our boat that looks just like a regular cooler.

[skyguy79]

We buy regularly from the meat stand. The meat is frozen solid when we buy it, and we have been there when the market opens and when it is close to closing. When we get it home, it is still frozen solid. That company sells its product around the country and is featured at some Disney restaurants. It is unfair to state categorically that the meat cannot possibly be kept at the proper temp when it is obvious the writer never examined what was being sold out of the coolers.

And, BTW, their product is delicious. And try their homemade soap.If you're talking about the same seller I'm thinking of (on the west side this Saturday) my wife has purchased meat from him in the past and it was still frozen solid when she placed it in our freezer.

BTW, how do you prepare the soap before serving it. Doesn't sound too appetizing to me! :1rotfl:

[Mikeod]

BTW, how do you prepare the soap before serving it. Doesn't sound too appetizing to me! :1rotfl:

Oh, wash it thoroughly, pat it dry, bread it and deep fry it. I try to use bad words regularly since it tastes so good. You should change your name to SmartGuy, LOL.

[PennBF]

We travel all over Europe (driving) and we love to stop at their outdoor markets and buy their goods. If we have an apartment/vila we eat it there or we eat it as we drive through the great countrysides. We have never been sick from eating from their open air markets. Sounds like Brownwood's Open Air/Farmers Market is just a another way to get some fresh or good tasting foods. As the old person said the problem with today's citizens is that they "worry too much"..:bigbow:

[Villageshooter]

This is not a 3rd world country! There health dept rules for a reason , if a person or vendor chooses to ignore them and not use common sense that is there problem,,, I just don't enjoy having ashes from a Winston cigerette in my gooey butter cake .

[Patty55]

Y'know, I've seen a fly in the Publix bakery case.

[Trish Crocker]

I think we as Americans are sometimes too hygiene phobic. Of course I keep a clean kitchen, make sure everything is kept at the correct temperature..etc..etc. However, whenever you see pictures from around the world you will see outdoor markets and many types of food there. Have you personally ever known of anyone sickened or dying from buying at the market? Geez, try hanging around the produce section of your local Publix...watch the guy coughing into his hand then picking through the green peppers..or the lady scratching her head and then choosing which tomato she wants to buy. How about the morons that decide at the last minute that they don't want that package of hamburger and leave in on a shelf..which hours later is put back into the meat display. Trust me, a stray ash from someone cigarette is the least of the problem. If you have ever cooked over charcoal you will find a whole lot of ash hitting your food. How about the cook in your local restaurant, did he wash his hands?? We are exposed to contaminates every day, even the stuff we breathe in manages to make its way into our bodies. The antibodies that we build up to protect us from many germs ends up making us much stronger. If you are not comfortable eating food from an open market then don't do it. I would not make the vendor look like an uncaring person however.

[JoeC1947]

Y'know, I've seen a fly in the Publix bakery case.

OMG! Which Publix's?

[gocubsgo]

The open baked goods isn't any different than Panera, which has all their baked goods sitting on a display with no covers on any of them. I always wondered how they could get away with doing that.

[susanpearce62]

Some times intuition is the best policy!!!!

[gomoho]

I would bet most of us living in TV ate enough dirt and chewed on enough grocery cart handles to build our immune system's to endure a whole lot more than we think. I love open air markets and don't think twice about buying from them.

[gocubsgo]

Y'know, I've seen a fly in the Publix bakery case.

Take a close look at the Winn Dixie cake display case...there must me a hundred dead flies under the grate those cakes sit on.

[Patty55]

Any real bakery I have ever been to had things out on shelves. Never thought of this as a health hazard. You all need to loosen up. There are a lot of things that skeeve me (jello, oreos, cheap hot dogs, etc...)this is not one of them.

Y'know what, if this grosses you out, don't go, don't buy it, don't eat it. Is it really neccesary to make insulting comments about the vendors?

I waitressed my way through school, worked in some nice places, you don't want to know what goes on.

[phillygirl]

I thought the same thing. The bread looked great but then I saw flies on it. Took a pass.

[california dreamer]

Being from California, we had so many fresh produce market stands, along the highways and everywhere. You just learn to wash everything well. Tried the Fresh Market here on 466, that was a treat, but prices so high! Wondering if spring and summer will bring more to choose from?

[njbchbum]

my thoughts run the same way as trish and gomoho post. anyone who thinks that the handlebar on a grocery cart is sanitary is deluding themselves; as well as anyone who believes that the fresh produce has not been touched by unclean hands! and i recall my friend opening her plastic bakery box from a local grocery - only to find a live roach within; and a roach once crawled out from a box of foil wrap i had brought home. germs and critters are everywhere - take the necessary precautions and enjoy the benefits of fresh rather than warehouse.

[ilovetv]

This is where the marketplace of free enterprise will take care of the problem. If the consumers think the product is gross and germ-ridden, they won't buy it. Before long, the vendor won't be able to keep selling like that.

In supermarkets etc., long french and cuban breads are in open-ended paper sacks. That's not all sealed up and doesn't seem to be germ infested nor undesirable to buy.

[skyguy79]

I would bet most of us living in TV ate enough dirt and chewed on enough grocery cart handles to build our immune system's to endure a whole lot more than we think. I love open air markets and don't think twice about buying from them.Remember the old idiom "You eat a peck of dirt before you die!? Well I ate a lifetime full by the time I finished playing football in high school; always at the end of the pack whenever we were told to do a lap, and I had the priviledge of eating every body elses dirt!

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp159/jufconnie/Smileys%20Hyves/bth_smiley_runforest-1.gif

[villavillager]

Dear Villavillager, What would a Marion County Health Inspector have anything to do with the Farmer's Market in Brownwood? Brownwood is Sumter County.

Mea culpa. You are quite right right. I was wrong in mentioning that I thought it was a Marion County Health Inspector. It would be indeed be a Sumter County Health Inspector. The manager only stated that he was personal friends with the county health inspector and that everything was all right. He never stated which county. It was my assumption and for that I am wrong.

[Xavier]

]Was at the Farmers market on Saturday at Brownwood, was wonderful looking stand with baked goods on it,, problem is NONE of them were covered at all, no sneeze guard! there was a customer that had a cigerette in his hand and was paying for his items, was waving his hand with the cig in it over these uncovered baked goods. Was open season for people to cough or sneeze on the baked goods... Is a HUGE health department issue! This was only stand that had it this way... I made mention to the guy behind the counter,, he just shrugged his shoulders.... if he did not care this much at his stand,, how much care does he give when he makes the treats??? guy in the pic is guy that shrugged his shoulders. i was standing on the side of the table where customer had cig



My Mother used to say, "Some people aren't happy unless they are unhappy." She also used to often say, "Don't worry there will always be someone around to stir the pot."

She was wise beyond her years. I miss her and her wisdom.

I guess if you find this to be not to your liking you could just keep walking.

Happy New Year to everyone.

Xavier

[rubicon]

I saw a head of nappa cabbage there (the kind you use to make asian salad the one with the ramen noodles). It was priced at $2.00. Last week I bought one at Publix for $7.00 and the one at the farm market looked much better. I for one love the Brownwood farm market, but can understand the hygiene issues. It probably wouldn't hurt if they covered everything with saran wrap.

jinieman: the reason such a difference between cabbage at Brownwood vis a vis Publix is because at farmers markets don't sell vegatables by thr pound.

The bakery stand will lose business just based on aesthics physcological barrier. We prefer locating a stand along the highway and developing a trust relationship with the owner.

Most roadway stands leave us flat. We had great farmers markets in upstate (central NY) owing to many truck farmers.

[villavillager]

Dear Villavillager, What would a Marion County Health Inspector have anything to do with the Farmer's Market in Brownwood? Brownwood is Sumter County.

When I spoke to the manager, Jerry Underwood, he never stated that he was personal friends with the health inspector from Marion County. He stated he was personal friends with the health inspector from Wildwood. I was wrong in my assumption that the farmers Market fell under the Marion County's health codes. Hence, the mea culpa. The Brownswood Farmer's Market falls under the jurisdiction of the Sumter County health inspector.

What everyone fails to understand is that there are basic health codes that are law and must be abided by everyone and are being overlooked by a few select individuals. A farmers market is no exception. We are not talking restauraunt codes, but basic sanitary codes. The fact that you may not feel the need for them is not germane. Should it be optional for a restauranut worker or health care provider wash their hands after going to the restroom? There are codes for a reason.

However, if you wish to support a venue that is not looking after your health and well being by following health codes mandated by law, then more power to you.

[rubicon]

Villageshooter: Thank you for the heads up. Perhaps many of the vendors monitor TOTV which would benefit us all. I mean silence signifies acceptance and leads to mediocrity and medicority to many unhappy people.

[sunglow]

Yes, I love the Brownwood Farmer's Market and I am so thrilled that it exists! It makes me think that maybe TV is the right place for me. Now if only we could get a great health store and some gourmet non-chain restaurants!

[Villageshooter]

We all are in our twilight years of our lives ,,, for most of us we will only vote in 2 or 3 presidential elections at most 4 , I was just trying to point out a possible problem that isin direct conflict of the rules established as a civilized society. I realize we all have consumed some shakey types of food practices. But at our ages we must take every precaution we can. We all enjoy talking about the good ol days of things we have done in the past in an effort to relieve reach back to convince ourselves of the fantasy that we are young again! I try to live in the real world an not test fate anymore than I am required to. Sorry if I offended any koolaide drinkers, I just refuse to stick my head in the sand and accept ithe myth if it is in TV it must be good for me that nothing ever bad happens here..... Not!

[Golfingnut]

We all are in our twilight years of our lives ,,, for most of us we will only vote in 2 or 3 presidential elections at most 4 , I was just trying to point out a possible problem that isin direct conflict of the rules established as a civilized society. I realize we all have consumed some shakey types of food practices. But at our ages we must take every precaution we can. We all enjoy talking about the good ol days of things we have done in the past in an effort to relieve reach back to convince ourselves of the fantasy that we are young again! I try to live in the real world an not test fate anymore than I am required to. Sorry if I offended any koolaide drinkers, I just refuse to stick my head in the sand and accept ithe myth if it is in TV it must be good for me that nothing ever bad happens here..... Not!

There are Positive thinkers: Those that try to see the bright side in everything.

There are Negative thinkers: Those who will find fault where fault does not exist.

There are Realist thinkers: Those that take normal precautions and try to live a balanced life.

Those folks that think Positive tend to be happy most of the time.

Those folks that think Negative tend to be grumpy most of the time.

Those that think realistically tend to live a normal balanced life.


:wave:

[nkrifats]

Time to leave TOTV in 2013. Maybe I will check it on an occasion. Not daily. Just too many rants over things that are not that big of a deal and or useless information. Happy New Year to all.

[Golfingnut]

Time to leave TOTV in 2013. Maybe I will check it on an occasion. Not daily. Just too many rants over things that are not that big of a deal and or useless information. Happy New Year to all.

Keep in touch and be assured that there are many more positive Folks here than negative.
:wave:

[perrjojo]

[QUOTE=Golfingnut;602137]There are Positive thinkers: Those that try to see the bright side in everything.

There are Negative thinkers: Those who will find fault where fault does not exist.

There are Realist thinkers: Those that take normal precautions and try to live a balanced life.

Those folks that think Positive tend to be happy most of the time.

Those folks that think Negative tend to be grumpy most of the time.

Those that think realistically tend to live a normal balanced life.
:agree::bigbow:
AMEN! Put the HAPPY in Happy New Year...

[kimball]

I am VERY careful when I purchase at a farmers market,,, you never know what has been sprayed on the produce,, they dont have to follow USDA regs,,,, as far as being clean, i always look to see if there stand is neat, they have taken a bath in the last week... at some farmers markets the folks selling are real dirtbags,,, Saturday was a guy at a produce stand was smoking a cig while taking $$ selling produce.

Curious. How does one determine when the venders last bath was?

[ilovetv]

Originally Posted by Villageshooter
I am VERY careful when I purchase at a farmers market,,, you never know what has been sprayed on the produce,, they dont have to follow USDA regs,,,, as far as being clean, i always look to see if there stand is neat, they have taken a bath in the last week... at some farmers markets the folks selling are real dirtbags,,, Saturday was a guy at a produce stand was smoking a cig while taking $$ selling produce.

Funny. Be careful to not buy anything that came from "organically" fertilized fields.....fertilized with cow manure.

[GatorFan]

I have not been to the market. I do have a question? Is it located on the square? If so, isn't that area marked non smoking? Just wondering.

I also think the baked goods should be wrapped but that is just how I feel. We all have opinions and we may not always agree but we should respect each other.

Happy 2013, let's all have fun and enjoy life.

[cquick]

:agree:

although I will say that there are different regulations for farmers markets than for groceries.
We asked for an open air market and we now have a great one at Brownwood. If that style of market bothers you, please use one of the regulated grocery stores for your products and leave the open air markets to those of us that appreciate what they do. It is my opinion that you are more likely to pick something up in your favorite deli than in an open air market.

[cquick]

Curious. How does one determine when the venders last bath was?

Hey, I don't want anyone asking me when I last had a bath. We only have a shower at our house.

[Bogie Shooter]

Villageshooter: Thank you for the heads up. Perhaps many of the vendors monitor TOTV which would benefit us all. I mean silence signifies acceptance and leads to mediocrity and medicority to many unhappy people.

Really? Monitor TOTV, really?

[Bogie Shooter]

We all are in our twilight years of our lives ,,, for most of us we will only vote in 2 or 3 presidential elections at most 4 , I was just trying to point out a possible problem that isin direct conflict of the rules established as a civilized society. I realize we all have consumed some shakey types of food practices. But at our ages we must take every precaution we can. We all enjoy talking about the good ol days of things we have done in the past in an effort to relieve reach back to convince ourselves of the fantasy that we are young again! I try to live in the real world an not test fate anymore than I am required to. Sorry if I offended any koolaide drinkers, I just refuse to stick my head in the sand and accept ithe myth if it is in TV it must be good for me that nothing ever bad happens here..... Not!

Why didn't you contact the Sumter County Health Department...........you stuck your head in the sand by not contacting them.

[njbchbum]

just did a quik look - but i can't find where an outdoor farmer's market is even covered by florida state health code!
Food Hygiene Program - Sumter County Health Department (http://www.doh.state.fl.us/chdSumter/Food.htm)
* Schools
* Hospital & Nursing Home food service facilities
* Prison and Detention Facility kitchens
* Civic / Fraternal organizations
* Bars & Lounges that do not prepare food
* Assisted Living facilities
* Summer School food service (participating establishments)

Food Hygiene (http://www.myfloridaeh.com/community/food/index.html)
The Department of Health works with food service establishments as defined by s. 381.0072, Florida Statute to help ensure their products are not a source of foodborne illness. Generally this includes food service operations located in institutional settings (such as schools, assisted living facilities, detention facilities, adult day cares, etc.), civic and fraternal organizations, bars and lounges that don't prepare foods, and theaters that limit their food service to items customarily served at theaters (such as beverages, pop corn, hot dogs and nachos). The codes and standards for food service establishments are found in Chapter 64E-11 (192 KB Pdf), Florida Administrative Code

[perrjojo]

just did a quik look - but i can't find where an outdoor farmer's market is even covered by florida state health code!
Food Hygiene Program - Sumter County Health Department (http://www.doh.state.fl.us/chdSumter/Food.htm)
* Schools
* Hospital & Nursing Home food service facilities
* Prison and Detention Facility kitchens
* Civic / Fraternal organizations
* Bars & Lounges that do not prepare food
* Assisted Living facilities
* Summer School food service (participating establishments)

Food Hygiene (http://www.myfloridaeh.com/community/food/index.html)
The Department of Health works with food service establishments as defined by s. 381.0072, Florida Statute to help ensure their products are not a source of foodborne illness. Generally this includes food service operations located in institutional settings (such as schools, assisted living facilities, detention facilities, adult day cares, etc.), civic and fraternal organizations, bars and lounges that don't prepare foods, and theaters that limit their food service to items customarily served at theaters (such as beverages, pop corn, hot dogs and nachos). The codes and standards for food service establishments are found in Chapter 64E-11 (192 KB Pdf), Florida Administrative Code

Oh my! Please don't bring FACTS into this issue!:1rotfl::1rotfl::clap2:

[njbchbum]

Oh my! Please don't bring FACTS into this issue!:1rotfl::1rotfl::clap2:

oops! sorry! ;)

[janmcn]

When I spoke to the manager, Jerry Underwood, he never stated that he was personal friends with the health inspector from Marion County. He stated he was personal friends with the health inspector from Wildwood. I was wrong in my assumption that the farmers Market fell under the Marion County's health codes. Hence, the mea culpa. The Brownswood Farmer's Market falls under the jurisdiction of the Sumter County health inspector.

What everyone fails to understand is that there are basic health codes that are law and must be abided by everyone and are being overlooked by a few select individuals. A farmers market is no exception. We are not talking restauraunt codes, but basic sanitary codes. The fact that you may not feel the need for them is not germane. Should it be optional for a restauranut worker or health care provider wash their hands after going to the restroom? There are codes for a reason.

However, if you wish to support a venue that is not looking after your health and well being by following health codes mandated by law, then more power to you.


It would be interesting to hear how many posters on this forum have gotten ill after eating something purchased at the farmer's market, in the short time it has been open???????????????

[Barefoot]

I wouldn't classify the Farmers Market as a "huge health issue". I tend to agree with the "everyone has to eat a pound of dirt" philosophy. But then no-one wants to eat a muffin that has been sneezed on, either.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

I have not been to the market. I do have a question? Is it located on the square? If so, isn't that area marked non smoking? Just wondering. .......

It's located essentially across from the theater - SW of where the existing buildings are.

Bill :)

[emc101]

I lived in jersey all my life and my mom took me to farm stands as a small child. back then vegs were not covered just out in open air. mom never refrigerated alot of things we do now and we ate them and didn't get sick or die. if you do not like open air farmers' market then do not go. as for me i am happy to be able to buy fresh produce and goods from people who grown and produce them. what make you think that the produce that publix sells from chile or mexico is any healthier?

i will keep going on saturdays and supporting our local farmers.

[asianthree]

The stand in question is owned by a Master French Baker, very thick accent, have bought many things from him, all very good and a little on the pricey side. But brings me back to France buying pastries on the corner in the open air. As for the guy smoking that's not something the vendors can fix, and its just rude to be smoking there, can't smoke in the grocery.

[KathieI]

I lived in jersey all my life and my mom took me to farm stands as a small child. back then vegs were not covered just out in open air. mom never refrigerated alot of things we do now and we ate them and didn't get sick or die. if you do not like open air farmers' market then do not go. as for me i am happy to be able to buy fresh produce and goods from people who grown and produce them. what make you think that the produce that publix sells from chile or mexico is any healthier?

i will keep going on saturdays and supporting our local farmers.

I totally agree. Check the tomatoes and other vegs in Publix and look for the country of origin.. Do you think they are any more sanitary than what you can buy at a home grown market????

[Buckeye Girl]

Note: The photo is of Phillip, born in France, the co-owner of a certified bakery in Grand Island, Fl. along with his wife Kathleen. They are vendors at other open air markets as well, including (Windermere, Clermont and Ocala)...Products are freshly baked overnight before the market.. So glad they are at Brownwood!

[queenv]

Hands touch produce. That's the fact. Hands touch it when it's being picked. Hands touch it to load it into boxes and crates. Hands touch it when it's being unloaded from the boxes and crates into the grocery store display. I think the less hands the better! So, yes, wash what you buy! But if you are buying from a local farmer and the produce was picked the day before by them and their family -- that's a limited number of hands! The family farm from Webster (the one with the kids) told me that the kale and carrots I bought had been hand picked by the wife the day before. I buy all my produce from them!

[jdsl1998]

I totally agree. Check the tomatoes and other vegs in Publix and look for the country of origin.. Do you think they are any more sanitary than what you can buy at a home grown market????

You are right as usual Kathie. I bought a wonderful almond coconut cookie from these folks last Saturday, then went next door and bought a wonderful cup of coffee. I will do it again next time I have the chance to visit on a Saturday..
No one should have been smoking on the square. And perhaps this vendor/person/baker didn't feel he could explain everything to the first poster as he was so busy and didn't fully understand or felt the buyer was in the wrong.
Anyway, I think the market is wonderful and I imagine the food has more "green" qualities than many of the products we buy someplace else.

[NotGolfer]

I can't eat bread/pastries but would purchase from that vendor as the items look very good.
Last Saturday when we were at the market, there was a very long line waiting to get in to shop at that location. So my response to the person posting, then don't buy if you're concerned. Others seem to be very responsive to this vendor in my opinion.

[BAILYBOOHOO]

It's a choice to shop there or not!!

[jerseylady]

We get our tomatoes there every Saturday morning. Mmmmmm....... so good. Of course, not as good as our summer Jersey tomatoes, but still good.

[Cisco Kid]

I got my Honeybells here when I visited TV.
Loved the farmers market.

[JoeC1947]

So far everything I bought at the market went rotten in three days. That includes, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant. I'll not shop there again.

After so many positive responses about the market I'll retract my statement and give it another try.

[NotGolfer]

After so many positive responses about the market I'll retract my statement and give it another try.

THAT has been the opposite experience for us!!! We go every week to pick up our produce there. Much less expensive than the grocery stores.

[mulligan]

But don't expect to buy 1/2 ripe produce that will last a week at home. Most of it is field ripened, and ready to use.

[shcisamax]

Living in Mexico, we would go to the mercado for all our fruits and vegetables. I can assure you, no one was wearing a hairnet...in fact, people would sample fruits and there were plenty of flies around. Yes, the fruits and vegetables probably turn a little quicker but that is the price you pay for fresh and ripe produce with little interference from pesticides and keeping in the fridge. Never did get sick from any of it. So I shall be a major consumer from the Brownwood farmer's market.

[OldDave]

Isn't it about time to end this thread. Other than the OP, it doesn't sound like anyone else has an issue with this "BIG" health issue. Buyer beware is always a wise choice.

[Villageswimmer]

I thought the same thing. The bread looked great but then I saw flies on it. Took a pass.

Ditto. I did the same thing.

You can wash produce but not baked goods.