Can i sell my veg?

[hypnophil]

I was wondering if i am able to sell my surplus veg, at a car boot for example?
Whatever i have left over and don't preserve or give away can i sell it or are there regulations on it?
thanks

[ClayGarden]

I sold herbs on ebay. Dont see why not. Selling abroad is different because you have pest regulations etc.

[sewer rat]

Hi Hypnophil. I'm not 100% certain about selling surplus at a car boot sale or similar outlet, but I know that I had to register with Environmental Health before I could sell any of my produce - but then that is how I make my living, so it may or may not apply.
All I had to do was fill in a form - no tests, visits or anything - just a simple registration ( and no fee involved either).
However, when I started making my preserves and my soups to sell, I had to gain the Elementary food hygiene certificate, and also had a visit from Environmental Health to check my cooking and sterilisation procedures were satisfactory.
I don't see that you should have any need for some or all of the above, especially as it's not a commercial venture. Also, the laws up here in Scotland are probably different to those in operation in Engalnd and Wales.
Try looking at a Farmers Market website, or local council website to see if they can offer advice.
Good luck

[hypnophil]

thanks very much, i will check it out.

[Snadger]

As long as you don't fall foul of the weights and measures department you should be ok!
Easy way round it is by selling, six tomatoes, one cabbage, a bunch of carrots e.t.c.

[davefromthechipie]

Im interested in the real laws on this too . I know You cant sell allotment veg But can on your own land. As for markets You will need to chat to the person that runs it He will know. Keeping an eye on this thead let us know wot you find out

[PAULW]

Our site manager says there is something in the agreement that allotments are for growing veg for your own use not to be used for commercial purposes and tells of the council kicking someone off their plot who had been selling veg at a boot sale/market.

But also while he says you cannot sell veg but there is no reason if someone was to offer a drink for your produce why you could not accept it

[seniab]

Hi Hypnophil,

The only note of caution I would sound is that it depends on where you grow the veg. I say this because many allotment associations (mine included) stipulate in their rental terms that an allotment plot may only be used for non-commercial purposes.

As long as you're not growing on an allotment with that in the rental agreement, or you're growing it on you're own land, I should think you're fine - surely it's only the same as the cake stall at the church fete - can't see all those little old ladies with Environmental Health certificates somehow!

Seniab

[SarzWix]

There are some allotment holders in London getting round this one by selling boxes. If the boxes happen to be very expensive & to incidentally contain a load of veg, there's nothing anyone can do...

[hypnophil]

I will let you know what happens,
good ideas snadger and sarah,
Never got given rental agreement for my plot but we are self managed, independent of the council. May ask discreetly and see what i can come up with.
What about making the veg i grow into something, such as bean chutney etc..?

[Snadger]

......................
What about making the veg i grow into something, such as bean chutney etc..?

Don't see why not? the WI (Womens Institute) been doing it for years!

[Cutecumber]

Re chutney etc. - again, you need to make sure that you have the appropriate information and clearance from Environmental Health. I ran a farmers' market and all producers of secondary produce (i.e. made from fresh ingredients) had to be hygiene trained and have their premises inspected - it's actually the same for the WI markets. This is not about red tape - some very nasty bacteria can grow in bottle and jars if you don't know what you are doing, so please be careful. Most producers are required to take out insurance, too.

On the fresh veg side, it is definitely contrary to the leases to sell excess produce from allotments, whether self-managed or not. To be fair, I agree with this. There are no regulations, standards or inspections. You can put anything you like on your crops and no one will check.

Please don't cut corners when you're dealing with food, it's just not worth the risk (however small) for either the seller or buyer. You can get into serious difficulties if you sell something and, god forbid, someone gets ill.

At the end of the day, allotments are there for people to grow their own food, not for commercial gain. I think the "box scheme" idea mentioned above will lead someone into trouble sooner or later - frankly, if you can't eat all the produce, then the plot should be shared or divided.

[Digger-07]

Our plot rules are a bit "wooly". I was told that I can't sell anything that is grown on the plot 'cos of the bylaw! But this year the "committee" are having a "sale at the gate" on a couple of Saturdays to raise money for the site. ???

[Cutecumber]

Hmmm, well technically they probably can't, but I expect no one will say anything.

It's not just the byelaws you have to bear in mind but the food standards regulations.

[ClayGarden]

Please don't cut corners when you're dealing with food, it's just not worth the risk (however small) for either the seller or buyer. You can get into serious difficulties if you sell something and, god forbid, someone gets ill.

Do you disagree with exchanging seedlings at a friend/neightbour/ebay level then to the same degree?