Retail Price Computing Scales Information » standards

Selling fruits and vegetables by weight in Tennessee?

admin — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 19:02:32 +0000

The article linked below gives you a general idea of what many states expect you to do regarding using certified legal for trade class III scales when it comes to selling produce at a farmers market or produce stand. Generally, in most states anyone selling fruits and vegetables by weight to customers must use a state inspected legal for trade certified scale which has a certificate of conformance number. Complying with the rules takes two steps. First, the seller needs to purchase a NTEP approved legal for trade scale (our site can help you with that). Then the legal for trade scale must be inspected and approved by your individual state. See more info below.

Scales must conform to National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) standards. Scales that comply with NTEP guidelines typically will be marked with the NTEP logo and the associated accuracy class which is normally “III” with produce scales. Scales marked “not legal for trade” are not acceptable for retail use in Tennessee. Scales must also comply with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Handbook 44 (H44) which mandates tolerances, specifications and other technical requirements for all weighing and measuring devices. Both NTEP and H44 requirements are national standards utilized by the vast majority of all states. See article

Commercial Scales for the Farmers Market Can Cost over $400

admin — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 19:31:24 +0000

Legal for Trade Commercial scales can cost well over $400, but if you do a little research, you won’t pay near that much for a set of high quality farmers market scales. Yes, you could get away with using a set of “household” scales, either hanging or digital, but that is ultimately not the way to establish trust and legitimacy with your customer who is buying produce from you.

Do some research and buy a legal for trade price computing scale that can be certified by the state. In most states it is a requirement. However, sometimes due to budget restraints and manpower, merchants get the idea that they can get away with not purchasing a legal for trade scale. Sometimes every now and then you hear comments from sellers of fruit and vegetables who sell produce at farmers markets, that they don’t worry about bending the rules of the State Weights and Measures Department. The thought process basically being, “we are not a priority for the Department of Agriculture.” Need proof, take a look at the article below

On most summer Saturdays, the Florence-Lauderdale Farmers Market is packed with vendors, but market manager Thurston Harper fears a state crackdown will prevent many farmers from selling at the market. An inspector from the Alabama Department of Agriculture visited the market in late May to test the accuracy of scales farmers use to weigh fruits and vegetables. Harper said the inspector told farmers they must begin using scales certified for commercial use. Read more

Farmer’s Market Weighing

admin — Mon, 04 May 2009 13:30:38 +0000

We hear these questions below all the time.

1. Does anyone know what/if there are regulations for what type of scale
a produce vendor uses at farmers markets?
2. Do other farmers have their scales certified by a state
Weights and Measures department?
3. Is digital better than an old mechanical hanging dial scale?

If you’re curious or new to the farmer’s market or produce stand business and need a legal for trade scale for weighing apples, potatoes, tomatoes, pumpkins, strawberries, squash and more; scroll down because we have answers to many of your questions.

First up regulations and certifications. Check with your state weights and measures standards department for the specific requirements (you should be able to find your state’s info here: http://ts.nist.gov/WeightsAndMeasures/statedirectors.cfm) Many states require that you have a NTEP legal for trade scale that will have a Certificate of conformance number (CoC#) somewhere on the scale. Many states will also want to check the scale and make sure it is weighing accurate. Once that check is done, they will put a sticker on your scale (certify it) and make sure it is sealed so that you can not go inside the scale and change the settings without breaking the seal.

As recent as a few years ago, many thought that the mechanical dial scales were as good or better than the digital scales. That trend seems to be going away each year. Digital price computing scales calculate the price per pound and make weighing and charging your customers by the pound very easy. Almost all of these scales are being imported nowdays so the costs are very reasonable and the quality is generally better than it has ever been. Many of these scales feature rechargeable battery power as well, making them useful in almost any environment.