Farmer’s market producers report increased sales if they use scales. With scales they get an exact weight rather than having to round down. That way they don’t lose sales through “nickel and dime” losses. Vendors who do not use a scale must sale by measure (example: quart of strawberries) or item (example: three cucumbers for a $1.00).

Scales must be inspected by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) Division of Regulation and Inspection each year. They must be for legal trade and made for commercial use. A legal-for-trade scale will be marked with:

1. A serial number
2. A model number
3. Class III designation on the identification plate or seal

The Madison County Horticulture Agent offered a scale certification program in early spring. During the program, producers brought their scales to the Madison County Extension Office to be certified. A representative from the KDA Division of Regulation and Inspection was on site to check the scales.

Twenty scales were checked in 2022. Of those, sixteen passed inspection. The ones that did not pass were because they were either inaccurate or not for legal trade. The inspector was able to talk to the vendors whose scales did not pass and educate them on how to correct the problem.