Medina County Farmers Market 2016 Rules and Regulations (updated and revised 1/2016 changes/additions marked in bold print)

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1 Medina County Farmers Market 5 Public Square, Medina, OH events@mainstreetmedina.com Medina Farmers Market on Facebook Medina County Farmers Market 2016 Rules and Regulations (updated and revised 1/2016 changes/additions marked in bold print) Our Mission: The mission of the Medina County Farmers Market is to provide a venue where local farmers, bakers/food producers, and artists can sell their high-quality products directly to the customer. The Market encourages direct communication between consumers and growers, fosters social gathering and community building, and promotes nutritious food choices. Secondary goals are to educate the consumer about the many benefits to the individual, the community, and the environment of buying locally produced food, and to enhance and enrich the community and culture of Medina County. The Market also provides and encourages local entrepreneurial opportunities and brings energy and excitement to uptown Medina. General Information The Medina County Farmers Market (MCFM) is administered through Main Street Medina, by MSM Event Management LLC, in cooperation with the City of Medina, Ohio. Rules and Regulations for the Market are established by the Medina County Farmers Market Committee (MCFMC) comprised of vendor representatives and citizen representatives, with the Market Manager. Day-to-day decisions on Market days will be the responsibility of the Market Manager. Market Location, Dates and Hours: MCFM will be located at the historic Medina Public Square in the City of Medina. The market will be open every Saturday beginning May 28-September 3, and then on Broadway Street from September 10-October 15, and finally November 19, Market hours will be Saturday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Vendors are to remain at the market until 1:00 pm. The market will take place rain or shine. Definitions: Vendor means an individual, or business, who is a member of the Medina County Farmers Market who has agreed to the following rules and paid the applicable fees for participation in one or more Market days. Producer signifies an individual or business that sells items that they themselves have grown, produced, baked or crafted. Applications: This is predominantly a producers Market, meaning that the majority of what is sold at the Market is grown or produced by the seller, with exceptions as needed and determined by the Medina County Farmers Market Committee and/or Market Manager. MCFM is an equal opportunity Market and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, gender, sexuality, religion, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, or nationality. Priority will be given to vendors whose applications are received prior to April 15, However, applications may be accepted throughout the Market season.

2 By submitting an application, potential vendors agree that decisions made by the MCFMC and/or the Market Manager are final. The intent of the committee is to have the majority of farm vendors selling fruits and vegetables, at least 60% of which are grown on their own farm. The additional 40% must be locally grown. Locally grown produce is defined as that grown by the principal farmer/producer in Medina County or within a 50 mile radius of the Square. No out of state produce will be allowed No items bought at a produce auction may be sold Application must include payment in full, either a check or money order payable to MSM Events. Cash payments will not be accepted. Any potential vendor who has submitted funds and is not accepted into the Market will be refunded their money. All vendor spaces will be assigned by the Farmers Market Committee and all decisions are final. The Committee will no longer accept walk-ups on any Market Saturday. To sign up for 8/20 International Fest as an individual date, contact Main Street Medina. Permits: Vendors are responsible for all licensing and permits required by law to sell or promote their products. All items must be sold under license and in accordance with all state, local and federal laws, rules, and regulations regarding the production, handling and selling of the items. Vendors must submit photocopies of all inspection forms, licenses, and other necessary documents with their yearly membership application. Products must be labeled, when required, in accordance with the Ohio Department of Agriculture guidelines. Products labeled organic must be certified by an accredited organization according to the rules of the National Organic Program. Advertising products as organic must be accompanied by written evidence of organic certification. Acceptance and Space Assignments: The MCFM will aim to balance the needs of the Market (supplying customers with a complete and competitive selection of produce available in season) with the needs of vendors without overloading the Market with particular products. Due to the increased popularity of the market, the number of vendor spaces at MCFM is limited. The precise number will be determined by MCFMC, as will the allocation of specific spaces to specific vendors. The committee will attempt to keep a balance between farm produce/products, cottage foods, baked goods and crafts. However, the preference, and intent, of the committee is to have the largest amount of vendors selling locally grown farm produce each Saturday. In 2016, only vendors who complete an application, submit payment for all 22 dates and are accepted by the committee or Market Manager, will receive an assigned space for the season Each vendor will be allotted one space with 12 of frontage on the sidewalk. Vendors are encouraged to set up their table 3 feet from the sidewalk to allow greater customer access. All vendor spaces will be assigned by the Farmers Market Committee and all decisions are final. The committee will determine the specific space assigned to a specific vendor. To sign up for 8/20, International Fest as an individual date contact Main Street Medina at Applications will be reviewed and accepted or rejected by the MCFM and/or the Market Manager. Anyone submitting an application after all such spaces have been filled will be placed on a waiting list. Returning vendors will have priority on space assignments.

3 Fees 2016 Fee Schedule $350.00/season $450.00/season $30.00/day $40.00/day On or before for all 22 dates, including International Fest After for all 22 dates, including International Fest Up to 8 dates (register on or before , excludes 8/20, International Fest) Up to 8 dates (register after , excludes 8/20, International Fest) Vendor Rules: Arrival, Setup, Departure Vendor set-up is from 7:00 to 8:30 am. Vendors shall arrive no later than ½ hour prior to the opening of the Market and be completely set up by the start of the Market. Latecomers may be denied admission or lose their assigned space at the Market Manager s discretion. Once you have unloaded your product, all vendors and booth employees must move their vehicle. Parking adjacent to the Square is not allowed under any circumstances. Violations will result in suspension or termination without refund of fees paid. Prior to commencing sales, prices for all items must be visibly posted. Vendors are required to remain at their assigned site until 1:00 pm to maintain the appearance of a full vibrant function to the public. Vendors are required to stay until close of the Market (rain, snow, or shine!). Vendors who sell out early should post a sign letting customers know they have sold out. All vendors must display a sign identifying their farm and/or booth name. Each vendor shall provide the necessary tents, tables, and other equipment for their displays. Tents must be secured with weights. Stakes are not permitted in the ground per City rule. Operate your stand in a safe and sanitary manner. Keep the sales area clean of debris, and keep produce off the ground. All trash must be deposited in the provided dumpster, and not left at trash cans in the park, before departing at the end of the market day, including boxes, rotten and/or unsold food. Failure to clean up your site will result in a $25.00 fine payable to the MCFMC. Repeat offenders may be banned from the market for the remainder of the season with no refund on market fees. The Committee and/or the Market Manager reserve the right to admit or reject any vendor for any reasons not prohibited by law. Vendors with assigned spaces shall occupy only those spaces. Vendors must contact the Market Manager ASAP by phone if they are running late or unable to attend the Market Weather Policy Uptown Park will not be used when the following is present: The park is closed for seasonal rest or preparation; Standing water is present or steady rain is falling or one inch or more of rain has fallen in the past 24 hours; Soil is saturated, wet, or spongy ; Soil clumps or sticks to shoes; The area is deemed unusable by Parks Department Staff When these circumstances are present, the market manager and City of Medina staff will make a determination by 6am the day of the market if the market will be set up on Broadway Street or in the Medina County parking deck behind the County Courthouse.

4 Products and Sales: Vendors must be the producer of products sold. Any exceptions to this rule will be made at the discretion of the Medina County Farmers Market Committee or Market Manager with the good of the Market in mind. No out of state produce will be allowed No items bought at a produce auction may be sold Selling of dairy products, eggs, meats, canned goods, and other processed or potentially hazardous products must meet all legal requirements, subject to Medina County Health Department inspection Vendors must comply with all laws, ordinances, and regulations of the United States, State of Ohio, Medina County and the City of Medina. Vendors must obtain all licenses or certifications so required, and these must be displayed at the Market. Any food vendor with a large, portable heating or cooking device, using flammable liquids, or open flame will be assigned a vendor space on a hard/concrete surface and not in the grass area of the park. Farmers: At least 60% produce/products sold must be grown/produced by the principal farmer/producer on his/her property. Only those items listed on an accepted application may be sold. The farmer must notify the Market committee in writing of any proposed changes prior to bringing previously unlisted items to the Market. Produce and fruit may be supplemented up to 40% from neighboring farms within the defined local area or a 50 mile radius. Only those items listed on the application may be sold. No items bought at a produce auction may be sold. The market reserves the right to inspect and to spot visit any farm or establishment throughout the season. If possible, advance notice will be given. Unless otherwise permitted, visits will be made with a farm representative present. Organic Certification: For all products labeled as certified organic, a current certificate (copy) from a NOP (National Organic Program) Accredited Certifying Agency must be submitted with your application. If your certificate is updated during the season, a copy must be sent to the office. A copy of your certificate must be displayed in your area when you are at market. Verbal or written declarations of organic status or organically grown without the organic certificate on file and on hand, will result in suspension or termination from the market. (This is also subject for fines up to $11,000 per incident by the USDA). Only those items listed on the certificate may be represented as organic at the market, items for sale that are not on the certificate will need to be separated and labeled as non organic at market. Any other third party verifications must be submitted with your application and be displayed on site (Animal Welfare Approved, NonGMO verified, Certified Humane, USDA Grassfed (for beef and lamb). Cottage Foods Purveyors/Bakers: All Products must be locally home produced or locally produced in a commercial kitchen operated by the vendor or rented on a per use basis. We strongly encourage the use of local ingredients whenever possible. Vendors who do will be given preference in space assignments. There is no consignment or resale of private label goods permitted. Check with the Medina County Health Department as to labeling standards and licensing requirements. Only those items listed on the application may be sold. Artists/Craft Purveyors: You must be locally creating hand-made or artisan items with significant value added. There is no consignment or resale permitted. Only those items listed on the application may be sold.

5 Community Entities: The Market Manager has discretion to allow entertainment, informational, and advocacy activities, but such activities must not obstruct customer aisles or occupy stalls needed for selling by Market vendors. At each Market, one stall will be reserved for such activities. Vendors may use their own stall for advocacy or informational displays as approved by the MCFMC or the Market Manager. Governance and Market Management Courtesy/Conduct: Smoking is not allowed at the Market. Vendors are expected to conduct themselves in a courteous and safe manner. Farm animals and other livestock are not permitted on the Square. Pending review by the City of Medina law director General domesticated pets are permitted (including dogs and cats). Market Manager It is the Market Manager s responsibility to implement Market policies. The manager will be responsible for public concerns and vendor complaints. It is the Market Manager s responsibility to assure all vendors maintain a level of quality that supports and benefits the Market s reputation. The manager can suspend those vendors lacking in quality. Enforcement of Rules and Appeal: Vendors who suspect that another vendor is violating any Market rules should report the matter to the Market Manager. Vendors should not attempt to address violations themselves. The Market Manager has complete authority to interpret and implement policy on the Market site. The Market Manager also has the authority to use his/her best judgment in the absence of a specific policy, up to and including suspension from the Market, provided that such action shall not be in conflict with the general mission and objective of the Market. If for any reason a vendor wishes to appeal a decision made by the Market Manager and no reasonable solution can be reached with the manager, the vendor may ask for an appeal in writing (by regular post or ) to the MCFMC. If the vendor wishes to further appeal a decision, it may be presented to the Main Street Medina executive committee, whose decision will be final with no further appeal. Compliance: Vendors not willing or able to comply with Market rules and regulations will be disciplined by the Market Manager as follows: One verbal warning One written warning and the vendor will be asked to leave the Market for the remainder of that day. If the rule is broken a third time or multiple rules are broken in a single occurrence the vendor will not be permitted to continue selling at the Market and will forfeit any paid fees. Insurance: It is strongly recommended that each Market vendor carry his/her own personal and product liability insurance.