COUNTY CELEBRATES NATIONAL FARMERS MARKET WEEK

Agricultural Commissioner/Weights and Measures
County of Los Angeles

DATE: August 5, 2008
CONTACT: Ken Pellman
Public Information Officer
(626) 226-6085 (cell)

LOS ANGELES COUNTY CELEBRATES NATIONAL FARMERS MARKET WEEK
August 3-9

ARCADIA, CA (August 5) - With over 100 certified farmers' markets
(CFMs), Los Angeles County has more reasons to celebrate National
Farmers Market Week than any other California county. Today, County
Supervisor Mike Antonovich presented a scroll during the Board of
Supervisors meeting recognizing the significance and success of the
local CFM program.

Certified farmers' markets provide an opportunity for citizens in
urban communities to sample a wide array of fresh produce, herbs, cut
flowers, living plants, honey, and other agricultural products straight
from the farm and deal directly with the growers. Your local CFM is a
great place to improve your nutrition, meet farmers face to face, and
support local and statewide agriculture.

The Los Angeles County Department of Agricultural Commissioner/Weights
& Measures (ACWM) certifies both local producers and the CFMs themselves
to ensure that only California produce grown by the sellers is offered
to customers. The term "certified" used in the phrase "Certified
Farmers' Markets" means that the produce is brought to the market
straight from the farm, either by the farmer personally or by an
employee. ACWM agricultural inspectors visit and certify participating
farms growing crops locally. They inspect the markets and review all
farmer papers for accuracy, thereby certifying that the farmers are only
selling what they, themselves, have grown.

For the locations and hours of a CFM near you, visit
http://acwm.co.la.ca.us/scripts/cfm.htm or call (562) 622-0426.

Established in 1881, ACWM protects consumers and the environment
through early detection and exclusion of dangerous, invasive insect and
plant pests; enforcement of laws and regulations regarding safe
pesticide use; operation of an environmental toxicology laboratory;
clearance of weeds, brush, and debris from vacant land to reduce fire
hazards; inspection and verification of accuracy of scales, meters,
price scanners, and quantity labeling on packaged goods.
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