The MDA monitors Minnesota surface water and groundwater for agricultural pesticides that leach or runoff.
No, farms in Minnesota are not required to be licensed to sell fruits and vegetables that they grow. If the farm is selling produce that was grown by a different farm, then they are required to have a license to resell or redistribute it. A product of the farm or garden may be further processed by the farm (e.g., canned pickles), but if off-farm ingredients are added, such as vinegar or sugar, a license is required. For more information, see Food Licensing Exclusions and Exemptions.
Businesses such as produce aggregators or food hubs which purchase produce from multiple farms, aggregate (combine) it, and then handle, package, or distribute produce, are required to hold a license with the MDA.
Do you need to only buy from licensed produce farmers?
No, farms in Minnesota are not required to be licensed to sell fruits and vegetables that they grow. If the farm is selling produce that was grown by a different farm, then they are required to have a license to resell or redistribute it. A product of the farm or garden may be further processed by the farm (e.g., canned pickles), but if off-farm ingredients are added, such as vinegar or sugar, a license is required. For more information, see Food Licensing Exclusions and Exemptions.
Businesses such as produce aggregators or food hubs which purchase produce from multiple farms, aggregate (combine) it, and then handle, package, or distribute produce, are required to hold a license with the MDA.
No, most produce farms within Minnesota are not required to have a food safety inspection. Only the larger farms that meet certain sales thresholds and markets are required to have a food safety inspection from the MDA Produce Safety Program. You can request to see a copy of an inspection report from any farm that is inspected to better understand any food safety concerns.
Additionally, some farms elect to have a third-party food safety audit, such as a Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) audit, but this is not a regulatory inspection. If your farmer has undergone one of these voluntary food safety audits, it is typically for one or two crops they grow, not the entire farm. You can ask to see their certificate to verify the fruits and vegetables you’re buying have passed an audit. Farms need to re-certify each year – it does not carry from year to year.
Is all produce grown in Minnesota inspected for food safety?
No, most produce farms within Minnesota are not required to have a food safety inspection. Only the larger farms that meet certain sales thresholds and markets are required to have a food safety inspection from the MDA Produce Safety Program. You can request to see a copy of an inspection report from any farm that is inspected to better understand any food safety concerns.
Additionally, some farms elect to have a third-party food safety audit, such as a Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) audit, but this is not a regulatory inspection. If your farmer has undergone one of these voluntary food safety audits, it is typically for one or two crops they grow, not the entire farm. You can ask to see their certificate to verify the fruits and vegetables you’re buying have passed an audit. Farms need to re-certify each year – it does not carry from year to year.
Small farms are not more or less safe than a large farm. All farms have the same types of food safety risks and must implement strategies to mitigate those risks.
Is buying produce from small farms safer? Or riskier?
Small farms are not more or less safe than a large farm. All farms have the same types of food safety risks and must implement strategies to mitigate those risks.
