Single-Use Plastic Bag Ban (FARMERS)

California Ave (Palo Alto) Farmers' Market

Full Compliance due by MARCH 1, 2020

Multi-Tier Approach to Reduce Wasteful Over-Use of Compostable Bags

ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

FARMERS: Please Submit this Survey

Business Name

Owner Name

First Name

Last Name

Shopping Basket Survey

Setting up Shopping Baskets at my Farm Stall at the weekly Palo Alto Market will reduce the number of Compostable Bags used by my customers.

Yes, I'd like to purchase baskets at wholesale cost thru UVFM

No Thanks, I have my own system already

Qty of Baskets I'd like to purchase for my Palo Alto Booth. (12 per Rack)

Each Rack of 12 baskets costs about $65. There are 12 Baskets per 1 Rack. UVFM will bulk order these and deliver them to you at the PA Market.

Reusable Produce Bags

UVFM will purchase a pallet of reusable mesh produce bags to sell at the Info Booth. Would you be interested in offering these for sale at your booth? They cost $1.50-$2 and we would resell to customers at-cost or up to $2/bag

Yes, I would like to sell these my booth

No, not interested in selling these

Message

If you are committed to adding customer shopping baskets to your weekly setup at PA, tell us what your needs are to be able to achieve this. Based on Farmer responses, UVFM is planning on purchasing a pallet shipment of baskets at wholesale and distributing them to participating farmers.

Compostable Produce Bag Requirement

What your business needs to know.

What is required:

Bags used to hold produce, meat, bulk food, or other food items must be acceptable in the City’s compost collection program.
The City’s compost program accepts paper bags and bags made of compostable plastic if they meet the ASTM Standard Specifications for compostability (D6400 or D6868), or the product is Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) certified.

Full Compliance due by March 1, 2020

Who is affected:

All retail service establishments and farmers markets that use produce bags are affected. This includes grocery stores, markets, and farmers markets.

Suggestions for meeting new requirements:

Use up your existing stock at other market locations.
Return un-opened boxes.
Decide on how to address new requirements.

Provide shopping baskets to reduce the excessive need for bags.
Provide reusable produce bags for sale. Maybe offer incentives.
Provide compostable or paper produce bags. Maybe charge per disposable bag.

Doing Our Part

UVFM will purchase a very large bulk order of Reusable Produce Bags for Palo Alto market customers to buy at wholesale cost. We believe customers will get on-board with the larger mission and learn to bring their bags with them each week - reducing the need to use Compostable Bags

UVFM's Enforcement Plan

The Urban Village Association will be offering customer education, reusable bag availability, and vendor support as needed, to help everyone achieve compliance with the City's policy. For this to work, everyone selling at the Palo Alto (California Ave) Market must universally cooperate at 100%. We believe it is possible to achieve active compliance by March 1, 2020.

The City's Enforcement Plan

Increased Audits - By GreenWaste of Palo Alto City.
Warning Notices - Businesses not in compliance will receive violation warning notices.
Compliance Order and/or Citation - Failure to comply with the ordinance may result in a compliance order or a citation.

If you have any questions, contact Zero Waste Palo Alto at zerowaste@cityofpaloalto.org