Selling eggs at a BC farmers market is permitted under BC Egg and Fraser Health rules. This guide summarizes the requirements so you can prepare confidently for the season.
Who Can Sell Eggs at SUFM
Eggs may be sold by small‑lot producers, backyard producers, non‑quota producers, and quota producers registered with BC Egg.
What is a small‑lot or backyard producer?
In BC, a small‑lot or backyard producer is someone who keeps up to 99 hens and is not part of the quota system. These producers may sell ungraded eggs directly to consumers under BC Egg’s Farm Gate Sales rules.
Small‑lot or Backyard Producer Selling Ungraded Eggs
Ungraded eggs may be sold directly to consumers at farmers markets. At the market, Fraser Health requires that:
- Eggs must come from your own flock
- Eggs must be clean and uncracked
- Eggs must be kept at 4°C or colder – use a cooler with ice packs or a powered fridge
- A thermometer must be visible in your cooler
- Cartons must include required labelling (see below)
- Eggs must be protected from contamination – keep eggs covered
- Provide hand sanitizer at the booth
- Maintain a clean, organized table
Fraser Health sets the temperature, handling, and contamination‑prevention rules that apply to all food sold at farmers markets.
Labelling Requirements
What Every Label on an Egg Carton Must Include:
- Producer name
- Producer address
- “Ungraded Eggs”
- Packing date (YYYY‑MM‑DD)
- Safe‑handling statement: Keep refrigerated. Wash hands after handling raw eggs. Cook eggs thoroughly.
These requirements apply whether the label is printed, handwritten, or taped on.
Example Label Formats
Backyard and small‑lot producers are not expected to purchase custom labels. A simple handwritten label made with masking tape, painter’s tape, or kraft paper tape is fully acceptable under BC Egg’s Farm Gate Sales rules, as long as it includes the required information that meet all regulatory requirements.
Example 1 (two locations on the carton)
(top of carton) Ungraded Eggs – 2026‑03‑22
(side of carton) Jane Doe – 12345 56 Ave, Surrey – Keep refrigerated.
Example 2 (one long label)
Jane Doe – 12345 56 Ave, Surrey – Ungraded Eggs – Packed 2026‑03‑22 – Keep refrigerated. Cook eggs thoroughly.
Example 3 (one label)
Ungraded Eggs
Packed: 2026‑03‑22
Producer: Jane Doe
12345 56 Ave, Surrey
Keep refrigerated.
Do You Need a Fraser Health Permit?
For ungraded eggs, a food permit is not required if:
- You are selling your own eggs
- You follow safe‑handling rules
- You sell directly to consumers
For graded eggs, the farm must be registered with a licensed grading station.
What if a Farmer Has More Than 99 Hens?
Producers with 100–399 hens
Farmers in this range are considered small commercial producers. They are not backyard or small‑lot producers, and they are not part of the quota system. Small Lot Producers require a Small Lot Producer Permit, which is renewed annually.
They may still sell ungraded eggs directly to consumers under BC Egg’s Farm Gate Sales rules, but they must:
- follow all ungraded‑egg requirements
- maintain proper records
- ensure eggs come only from their own flock
- meet Fraser Health safe‑handling expectations
- Sales Restrictions: They must sell their eggs directly to consumers (end-users), such as through farm gate sales or farmers’ markets.
Quota Status: Small Lot Producers do not need to hold commercial, registered egg quota. This group is often referred to as “small non‑quota producers.”
Producers with 400 hens or more
Farmers with 400+ hens fall into the commercial producer category. They can sell at farmers markets and follow both Fraser Health rules and BC Egg requires:
- The farmer must hold quota from the BC Egg Marketing Board
- Eggs must be graded at a licensed grading station before sale
- The farm must adhere to strict, commercial egg farming regulations.
These producers cannot sell ungraded eggs at farmers markets due to the number of hens in their flock. All eggs must go through a CFIA‑licensed grading facility before being sold to the public.
Official Resources
These links point to the official regulatory sources that govern egg sales in British Columbia, so you can review the full rules directly from BC Egg, Fraser Health, and the CFIA.
BC Egg – Selling Ungraded Eggs (Farm Gate Sales) Guidelines for small‑lot and backyard producers selling ungraded eggs directly to consumers.
Fraser Health – Food‑Safety Requirements for Market Vendors Temperature control, safe handling, and contamination‑prevention rules that apply to all food sold at farmers markets.
CFIA – Egg Grading Requirements (for graded egg sales) Information for producers who wish to sell graded eggs through a licensed grading station.