Nebraska Department of Agriculture

Farmers Market Scale Inspections

Weights and Measures inspectors from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture will be performing farmers market scale inspections. These inspections will be conducted at the Nebraska Standards Laboratory, 3721 W Cuming St, Lincoln, NE 68524 (in the Air Park neighborhood).

Guidelines for Sales at Farmers Markets, Roadside Stands and Other Commercial Outlets

Method of Sale
Meat, fish and poultry	Sold by weight only
Loaves of bread	Sold by weight only
Rolls, buns, bread sticks, bagels, cookies, cupcakes, muffins, and brownies	Sold by weight or count
Cakes, pies, and other desserts	Sold by weight or size
Pizza (uncooked)	Sold by weight
Berries and small fruit	Sold by weight or volume*
Flour, corn meal and hominy grits	Sold by weight
Coffee (customary trade practice)	Sold by weight
Honey, jelly, and jams (customary trade practice)	Sold by weight
Tomatoes	Sold by weight or count - colume if one peck or more
Cherry tomatoes	Sold by weight or volume*
Potatoes	Sold by weight, measures, or count
Melons (whole)	Sold by weight or count
Candies (customary trade practice)	Sold by weights
Individual piece candy	Sold by weight or count
Pickles, pickled products (including relishes)	Sold by volume
One or two pickles in transparent wrapping	Sold by count

* The individual vendors must choose one of these two methods.

Package Labeling Requirements
Standard Packages The same product and identical quanitities Signs or individual labels must state: • Product identity • Meat, fish and poultry ○ Identity must be on the package • Responsibility statement ○ Name and address of producer • Quantity • Total price (not required)	Random Packages The same product but various weights Each package must be labeled with: • Product identity • Responsibility statement • Quantity • Price per pound • Total price

Package Labeling Requirements

Standard Packages
The same product and identical quanitities

Signs or individual labels must state:
  • Product identity
  • Meat, fish and poultry
      ○ Identity must be on the package
  • Responsibility statement
      ○ Name and address of producer
  • Quantity
  • Total price (not required)

Random Packages
The same product but various weights

Each package must be labeled with:
  • Product identity
  • Responsibility statement
  • Quantity
  • Price per pound
  • Total price