(a) Farmers markets shall register with the department and provide information to the department regarding the farmers market and its vendors.

(b) Vendors at a farmers market selling farm and food products shall apply for a farmers market vendor permit and pay the annual permit fee to the department. The permit is valid in all counties in this state. A farmers market vendor permit shall be required in lieu of the food establishment permit, notwithstanding any other provisions of code or rule that require a food establishment permit or any other permit from a local health department. The department shall take final action upon all completed permit applications within 30 days of receipt if the application is uncontested, or within 90 days if the application is contested.

(c) The annual farmers market vendor permit fee is $35.

(d) The following vendors are exempt from obtaining a farmers market vendor permit:

(1) Producers delivering their products to a consignment farmers market only; or

(2) Vendors selling fresh, uncut produce.

(e) A consignment farmers market shall obtain a food establishment permit issued by the local health department. Certain farm and food product also require food establishment or other permits to be sold at farmers markets including, but not limited to, meat, poultry, dairy, fish, and sprouted seeds. Notwithstanding the provisions of this article, the local health department in the jurisdiction in which the farmers market is located has the right to inspect and suspend the food establishment permit of a farmers market vendor that sells or serves food for which a food establishment permit is required.

(f) All farmers market vendor permits shall be displayed in a conspicuous manner.

(g) Nothing in this article eliminates or limits other state and federal rules and regulations that apply to certain farm and food products sold at a farmers market or a consignment farmers market.

(h) The department may establish regulations permitting the sampling of certain farm and food products at farmers markets by vendors.

(i) A vendor is subject to food sampling and inspection by the local health department in the jurisdiction in which the farmers market is located if the local health department determines that the vendor’s food product is misbranded pursuant to §19-35-5(c) of this code, or adulterated, or if a consumer complaint has been received: Provided, That all sampling and inspection shall be performed in consultation with the Department of Agriculture.

(j) If the local health department in the jurisdiction in which the farmers market is located has reason to believe that an imminent health hazard exists it may invoke cessation of production until it deems that the hazardous situation has been addressed to the satisfaction of the local health department: Provided, That a local health department that invokes cessation of production under this subsection shall do so in consultation with the Department of Agriculture.