2016 Vendor Packet. VENDOR APPLICATIONS DUE BY SEPTEMBER 20th

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1 2016 Vendor Packet VENDOR APPLICATIONS DUE BY SEPTEMBER 20th We re expanding! In it s fourth season, customers continue to want and support more late-season, fresh, and local food. We also have more farmers and producers wanting to tap into these late-season markets. This year the Holiday Harvest Farmers Markets (HHFM) are expanding into three, indoor markets with two online ordering cycles through Lone Tree Foods. It s also our last year of grant funding through a Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG) to support the growth of these markets and expand opportunities for specialty crop growers, with funding for promotion and consumer education. As a local producer, you may apply to participate in any or all of these market opportunities. They include: November 20th indoor Holiday Harvest Farmers Market December 4th indoor Holiday Harvest Farmers Market December 18th indoor Holiday Harvest Farmers Market November online buying cycle through Lone Tree Foods December online buying cycle through Lone Tree Foods Please review the following materials and submit the application with the signed Vendor Agreement and copies of requested permits or proof of insurance by September 19th. Vendor selection announcements will be made by October 1st. 1. HHFM Rules and Regulations 2. General Operations 3. Vendor Application 4. Vendor Agreement Form We re looking forward to hosting another year of successful winter markets, and helping to encourage more producers like you to invest in season extension. For more information or questions about the HHFMs, contact me at ocrfm.manager@gmail.com or (402) Sincerely, Megan Jackson Market Manager Old Cheney Road Farmers Market Holiday Harvest Farmers Market

2 Holiday Harvest Farmers Market 2016 Vendor Packet HHFM Vendor Rules & Regulations General Requirements for Vendor Approval 1. Vendors must live and produce the product(s) for sale within Nebraska or within 200 miles of Lincoln, NE. You must be the main producer, who is directly involved in the production of the products you are offering for sale. 2. Farmer and Farmer-Processor Vendors selling meat products must own and raise (participate in care and feeding, etc) the animals. Small animals (poultry, water fowl, and rabbits) shall be owned and raised for a minimum of 90% of the animal s life. Large animals (pork, beef, goat, bison, etc) shall be owned and raised from weaning to finish OR no less than 70% of the animals life days up to and including days to finish. 3. Products must be in compliance with all of the following that apply to your business: Locally produced; verification of processing in a licensed facility; verification of FDA and/ or USDA approved meat and poultry inspection and processing; Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department permit for home baking; State Department of Agriculture Weights and Measures requirements; Nebraska Nursery License; and adherence to the HHFM Rules and Regulations. Copies of all permits and licenses are required upon submission of application. 4. Vendors are responsible for attending required classes/workshops, and for obtaining permits, licenses, and sales tax number according to product requirements. All vendors selling taxable products (cut flowers, non-edible plants, etc.) are responsible for collecting, reporting, and paying the sales tax. Prominently post all permits and have your tax number in your booth. 5. Vendors are required to carry general and product liability insurance for off-farm and outside home sales for a minimum of one million dollars. Proof of insurance is required upon submission of application. 6. Vendors must complete anonymous surveys for reporting market sales and other information that may be relevant for grant reporting. Display Requirements 1. Post all required permits prominently. 2. Packaging of all prepackaged and packaged-at-market produce must be with NEW foodgrade paper or plastic bags, or plastic food wrap. Trash/garbage/leaf bags cannot be used for produce or other foodstuffs at any time. 3. It is the vendor s responsibility to bring all tables, chairs, shade devices, power sources and cords, display equipment, hand washing station, cash box and cash, signage, etc. 4. All products should be displayed on well-constructed, well-maintained, and clean tables. Produce should be clean and attractive. The Market Manager may request that you remove a product from your table if it does not meet the market s standard of quality. 5. Food products offered for sale must be displayed or stored at least six inches above the ground. 6. Only legal scales with up-to-date State permit stickers are allowed. Vendors without legal scales must sell by the piece or per quantity. If you wish to sell produce by weight, 2 of 5

3 but do not have a legal scale, you may weigh and package items at home, but sell by the bag or by the package. You must have a label or sign stating the weight or count of the package. 7. Required signage: One large sign stating who you are (your business name) and your location (example: Your Small Family Farm, Local Town, NE). In addition, you should post small signs stating the product, unit of sale, and price. These should be attached to the container of each product sold. You may also have a large sign/board stating products and prices. Signage must include sufficient information to satisfy Weights and Measures requirements. 8. Producers who choose to market, label, package, advertise, or otherwise claim their products as organic, organically grown, fed organic feed, etc, must either 1) submit proof of organic certification to the market manager, or 2) request, review and sign our Organic Grower s Affidavit. Definition of Vendor Categories & Products Farmer: someone who sells vegetables, fruit, plants, fresh-cut or dried flowers, eggs, fish or meat that they produced themselves, or managed the growing of if there are employees, within Nebraska or 200 miles of Lincoln, NE. The land may be owned or rented. Farmer-Processor: someone who produces the raw ingredients and then either processes them on their farm or sends them out for processing. Examples include jelly, pies, salsa, cheese, value-added meat, herb blends, honey, etc. Baker: someone who offers non-hazardous, not previously frozen and thawed, fresh baked, from scratch products. Priority will be given to vendors who use Nebraskagrown ingredients in their products. Non-Farmer Processor: someone who buys the raw ingredients for their product and makes a product for sale, either at their permitted residence or at an inspected facility. This could include jelly, salsa, value-added meats, home/personal care items (soaps) etc. We will give stall preference to vendors who buy ingredients from local FARMERS rather than wholesalers. Concessionaire: someone who has the required State and Lincoln Lancaster County permits for selling prepared food and drinks to be consumed on-site. Specialty Crops: The USDA defines specialty crops as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture). Eligible plants must be cultivated or managed and used by people for food, medicinal purposes, and/or aesthetic gratification to be considered specialty crops. Processed products shall consist of greater than 50% of the specialty crop by weight, exclusive of added water. Home-baked/processed items: Vendors may include non-hazardous, home baked items or processed foods such as jams/jellies if they make up less than 30% of total products for sale. Must have a current S/C or higher Food Handler Permit, or have attended the 2016 Farmers Market training. A LLCHD home bakers placard is required and must be requested on the application. The placard is an additional $25 fee and covers all three markets. Must be produced by the vendor and included on the product list of the application. 3 of 5

4 Non-Food Product Inclusions and Guidelines: Must be produced by the vendor and included on the product list of the application. Wild-crafted products are allowed for sale if the vendor collects non-hazardous wild plants, fruit, or other farm product in Nebraska or within 200 miles of Lincoln, NE (including wild fruit, fresh or dried wild flowers and grasses) and further processes them into an original handmade product - one that may contain purchased materials (a vase, wreath, ribbon, etc.) only as a form or minor addition to the product. Hand-crafted, non-food such as soaps, sewn products, body care products, etc may not exceed 10% of the vendor s products for sale. The Market Manager may request photos, and products may be denied if they don t meet market standards. Any non-food item that does not adhere to the producer-only guidelines MUST be included in the product listing AND receive explicit special consent from the HHFM Market Manager. Examples that may be considered include items which are part of a gift set (cheese knife, basket, cutting board, cook book) or that are farm/business branded. These items may not exceed 10% of the vendor s products for sale. Criteria for Vendor Selection The HHFM is committed to bringing together a diverse range of the highest quality, locally produced food and goods from Nebraska s growers and producers. HHFM is also committed to supporting growers who are starting or expanding their season extension operations; educating consumers about eating local through the winter with proper storage and preservation of late season produce; and encouraging producers to supply the growing demand for bulk purchases of storage and staple crops. Toward these goals, HHFM vendors will be selected using the following guidelines: Specialty crop growers will receive priority and be selected for the majority of stalls at the indoor HHFMs. See the definition for specialty crops in the definition of vendors in the above section. Producers with products that are unique or unusual, and products that are not already represented in the market will receive priority. The OCRFM Vendor Matrix, which reflects the HHFM s goals for providing the highest quality, local, sustainably produced, small-batch/craft/artisan food products, will be used to score vendors for selection. The matrix may be requested or found at Current OCRFM members/vendors will receive priority over comparable vendors. 4 of 5

5 Holiday Harvest Farmers Market 2016 Vendor Packet HHFM General Operations Indoor Holiday Harvest Farmers Markets Sunday, Nov. 20th, 10am - 2pm Sunday, Dec. 4th, 10am - 2pm Sunday, Dec. 18th, 10am - 2pm Park Centers Banquet Hall 2608 Park Blvd, Lincoln, NE Stall fees per vendor, per market are $70. Set-up time: Vendors may arrive after 8:00am and should be in their stall no later than 9:00am to be ready to sell by 10am. Early sales to customers are prohibited, and may begin at the sound of the market whistle. Stall Assignments: All stalls are 10 x 10. A canopy may be used. Online Holiday Harvest Farmers Markets w/ Lone Tree Foods The HHFM has partnered with Lone Tree Foods (LTF) to offer additional marketing opportunities for producers to sell larger, bulk quantities of storage and staple crops to wholesale buyers and individual consumers. There is no additional participation fee for producers. November bulk buying cycle runs from Nov Nov. 15 December bulk buying cycle runs from Dec 10 - Dec. 13 Producers will need to confirm current product lists prior to each buying cycle. Products will be picked up by LTF and delivered to consumers at the indoor HHFMs. For more information or questions, contact Erin Schoenberg at sales@lonetreefoods.com. 5 of 5