Placer County warns of illegal roadside produce vendors

Published on May 30, 2018

Roadside vending is illegal in Placer County. As summer approaches, county agriculture officials want to remind consumers that illegal vending poses serious public and environmental health risks.

The Placer County Agriculture Department routinely engages roadside vendors in the unincorporated area of the county to educate them about the law and confiscate produce.

Illegal vending poses food safety risks since the farm location, producer, pesticide residue and food safety measures are often unknown. And it increases the risk of invasive pests such as Asian citrus psyllid being introduced, which could carry diseases that are deadly to local crops.

Illegal vending is also often associated with human trafficking, poor labor conditions such as lack of shade and restroom facilities and stolen produce.

“Buying fruits and vegetables from roadside vendors may seem harmless, but illegal roadside vending poses risks to our community and agricultural industry,” said Joshua Huntsinger, county agricultural commissioner. “Consuming produce from a certified PlacerGROWN farmer is safer and supports our local farming community."

The Agriculture Department encourages community members to buy produce from local farmers’ markets, farm stands or other retail outlets where the consumer can purchase directly from the local farmer who grew the food.

For more information about the rules for selling produce in Placer County, contact the Agriculture Department at 530-889-7372 or em email.

To connect with our many local Placer County farmers and ranchers visit the PlacerGROWN website.