Stroll through the aisles of a farmers' market and you will quickly see why many local leaders are keen on these public, (usually) outdoor markets as ways to promote healthy eating and active living. Farmers get to sell their produce directly to community residents, who in turn get fresh food, a place to gather, and often a revitalized neighborhood.

NPLAN, in collaboration with Public Health Law & Policy's Planning for Healthy Places program, developed Establishing Land Use Protections for Farmers' Markets to help create more opportunities for farmers' markets and ensure their long-term viability. This package includes model land use policies for supporting and protecting farmers' markets, and provides model general plan and zoning language to encourage these uses. The language is designed to be tailored to meet individual communities’ needs. 

This policy package includes the following:

•    Introduction
•    Model Comprehensive Plan Language to Protect and Expand Farmers' Markets
•    Model Zoning Language Establishing Farmers' Markets as an Approved Use
•    Farmers' Market Policy Language Only (ms word document, for editing and customizing)

You may also be interested in California Certified Farmers’ Markets and Farm Stands: A Closer Look at State Law. This fact sheet explains how state law works to encourage alternative retail outlets, such as farmers’ markets, farm stands, and community supported agriculture (CSA) programs, where farmers can sell their produce directly to consumers.