Health approvals

Letter of Confirmation for higher-risk food at markets

Before selling a higher-risk food at a farmers’ market — for example anything from an approved kitchen that needs refrigeration, frozen meat or fish, dairy, or a shelf-stable higher-risk food such as a nut butter, flavoured oil or ferment — the health authority reviews the product and issues a letter. It covers in-person market sales only.

A change is coming

  • A new guideline for selling at farmers’ markets — proposed, no date set; it may not happen. What changes
Who issues it
Island Health
How long
Apply at least 30 days before the market; plan on about 14 days to process.
Forms and pages

Who needs it

Meat, poultry & egg producersFor selling frozen meat at marketsFishers & seafood sellersFor selling frozen fish at marketsFarmers’ market vendorsFor higher-risk foods

The rules behind this page

Last checked 26 September 2026. We check this guide regularly against Island Health, provincial and municipal sources, but regulations and laws change often and we can’t guarantee it is complete or current. Confirm with Island Health and your municipality before you apply, build or sell.

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