Maine Statute governing
Farmers' Markets
This is the original law, adopted by the Maine Legislature and signed by the Governor in 1993. The current version of this law can be found at the
Maine Legislature's list of Maine statutes at
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/7/title7sec415.html  .
MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING
CHAPTER 101, GENERAL PROVISIONS, SUBCHAPTER I
MARKETING AND ADVERTISING FARM PRODUCTS
7 § 415. Farmers market
1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the
following terms have the following meanings.
A. "Farmers' market" means a building, structure or place used by 2 or more
farmers for the direct sale of farm and food products to consumers, at which all sellers
meet the requirements of subsection 2, paragraph B. [1993, c. 138, §1 (new).]
B. Farm and food products means any agricultural, horticultural, forest or other
product of the soil or water, including, but not limited to, fruits, vegetables, eggs,
dairy products, meat and meat products, poultry and poultry products, fish and fish
products, grain and grain products, honey, nuts, maple products, apple cider, fruit
juice, wine, ornamental or vegetable plants, nursery products, firewood and Christmas
trees. [1993, c. 138, §1 (new).]
[1993, c. 138, §1 (new).]
2. Prohibitions. The following acts are prohibited.
A. A person may not use the term "farmers' market" to describe a market or
other sales location that does not meet the terms of the definition set forth in
subsection 1. [1993, c. 138, §1 (new).]
B. A person may not sell farm and food products at a market labeled "farmers'
market" unless at least 75% of the product offered by that person was grown or
processed by that person or under that persons direction. A product not grown or
processed by that person must have been purchased directly from another farmer. [1993,
c. 138, §1 (new).]
[1993, c. 138, §1 (new).]
3. Penalty. A person who violates this section commits a civil violation for which a
forfeiture of not less than $100 nor more than $200 may be adjudged.
[1993, c. 138, §1 (new).]
4. Relationship to farmers market rules. This section does not prohibit a market from
imposing more stringent requirements on its sellers than those imposed by subsection 2,
paragraph B.
[1993, c. 138, §1 (new).]
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