Shari Miller has operated the Christmas Craft Mall LLC in Great Bend for 35 years, but for the first time she has run afoul of Kansas food licensing laws. There are still dozens of vendors in the mall located at 3301 Lakin Ave., but certain unlicensed vendors had to remove their products after someone made an anonymous complaint to the state. Even licensed vendors found they can’t sell meat and similar refrigerated products unless they are at the mall in person to make the sale.
“People were devastated,” Miller said of the day inspectors came in. “They put so much time and money in it. It’s very sad.”
The Mall started this holiday season with 45 vendors and 21 of them sold food. Ten vendors had to remove products.
Next year, if she continues to operate the seasonal business, she will need to buy a $450 license. Some vendors will also need to be licensed if they want to come back. While she may rethink how the mall is operated in future years, the mall still has a large selection of Christmas decorations, gifts, handmade crafts and, yes, edible goodies. Miller rents the basement of the Central Baptist Church and this year she added a room upstairs.
Not all food items were pulled. Items such as cookies, cinnamon rolls, candies and breads are considered low-risk and just need to have their ingredients listed, but some items are considered high-risk, such as salsas, acidified or pickled foods, barbecue sauces and homemade jams.
Miller said she understands why someone might have lodged a complaint; those who go to the time and expense to be licensed may feel unlicensed vendors have an unfair advantage.
Food sales in Kansas are regulated by the Kansas Department of Agriculture. Heather Lamsdowne at the Department commented on what prompted their inspection this year.
“We were not aware that this event was taking place,” Lamsdowne said. They learned that, unlike farmers markets where vendors sell direct to consumers, the mall allowed vendors to not be present for the sale.
She explained that Kansas food laws serve to protect consumers. In addition to meat items, those that pose the highest risk for contamination are canned and pickled foods. Foods that require temperature control are also high-risk.
It did not appear that anyone was trying to work outside food safety laws, she said. So the inspectors identified high-risk items, which were removed, allowing other vendors to continue this year.
In addition to protecting consumers, Lamsdowne said the law “protects all small businesses that work hard to make sure their business meets all of the requirements.” She added, “Our number one priority is food safety.”
Officials hope to meet with Miller after the mall closes to discuss rules for future years.
The rules are different for fundraisers that are conducted for fewer than seven days a year.
The Christmas Craft Mall remains open at 3301 Lakin Ave. through Dec. 23. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1-6 p.m. on Sunday.
