What came first – the chicken or the health department?

Eggs are the perfect food and they come in nature’s perfect package. They don’t need to be washed or refrigerated. You can collect fresh eggs and leave them unwashed on your counter and they’re still perfect. Don’t believe me? Refer to Mother Earth News.

I love eggs. They are my very favorite food. I would have some form of dippy eggs for my last meal. I love raising chickens and I love our fresh eggs. And I know our friends and customers love our eggs too.

Which brings me to selling eggs at the Haymaker Farmers’ Market. Or in our case, the fact that we are no longer able to sell them.

We’re sorry friends but increased licensing and equipment requirements have made it cost prohibitive for us to bring our eggs to market. We’re totally bummed out for a number of reasons and one big one is that we know there is a need for our eggs at the market; we sell out every week. We have received some great compliments and I have thoroughly enjoyed talking to many of you about our flock.

Our misfit flock of layers and turkey hens is small. We bring anywhere from 12-15 dozen eggs to market each week. We’re small potatoes. 🙂

The City of Kent Health Department requires a mobile food license in order to sell eggs at market. The license costs $200 per season and is purchased through the Portage County Health Department.

Currently we sell our eggs out of a large cooler with ice packs. However, in order to have a mobile food license the county requires some kind of mechanical refrigeration to sell eggs.

While I do not begrudge the rules set forth by the City of Kent and Portage County these requirements are just too costly for us at this time and we will no longer be bringing our eggs to market.

If you follow the blog you know we just had a baby girl about two months ago.

We have many years to acquire the equipment that is required and to grow our flock for the increased egg production that would make these costs worth it. But our baby girl is only going to be a baby once.

This season we’re sticking with our delicious and totally local jams, jellies, and spreads, handmade hypertufa planters, and produce from our gardens.

We’re still happy to sell our eggs at the farm or to work out other arrangements so if you’re interested please contact us at bartongardens@gmail.com or chat with us Saturday mornings at the market.