SOUTH WHIDBEY RECORD: Farmers take stand against public health permitting

The owners of Bells Farm have been fighting with the Island County Public Health Department which is requiring them to purchase a retail food establishment permit to continue operating their self-serve Honesty farmstand. The Bells Farm owners argue that their farmstand does not fall within the definition of a retail food establishment that require such a permit and are asking the County Commissioners to update the county codes to include farmstands.

The Bells Farm Owners already have a USDA inspected meat and temperature controlled monitoring system as well as many other permits already in place.

They Said It

Commissioner Jill Johnson: “I understand that Mr. Flack may not want to get a permit,” [she] explained in an email to concerned community members, “but despite the fact that the products he distributes might come from permitted and regulated businesses, the county still needs a way to ensure that quality-control standards are met for the products while they are under his control (temperature, cross-contamination, etc.), in order to ensure that the foods and products he provides to your families are safe.”

[During the Nov. 2 County Commissioners meeting,] Johnson said she understood the comments about the fear of inconsistency and the need for clear rules. “The more clear, concise and black-and-white your regulations are, the less flexible they are,” she said, adding that this is a tension point that the community will need to weigh.

Commissioner Melanie Bacon said [during the same meeting] said she would be in support of creating a food policy council.

Commissioner Janet St. Clair [during the same meeting] referenced code updates that had been discussed. “Opening up code is never a simple process. But I look forward to makin sure we move forward on this as we move towards those solutions.”

Tim Hazelo said, “I want to say that our farmstands are safe. These people love what they do. They take care of their food, they take care of us.“ [Ed. Note: Mr. Hazelo was a candidate for Congress in 2020, and has filed to run against Janet St. Clair for County Commissioner from District 3 in 2022.]

For more details, see the story by Kira Erickson