Village Farmers Market 2015 Guidelines and Application for Farmers, Craft, and Prepared Food Vendors I. Eligibility Requirements: All persons who actually produce or grow the fruits, vegetables, plants, herbs, jellies, jams, honey and/or other products in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware or Washington DC that they intend to sell in the Village Farmers Market are eligible to apply to sell at this market. Also included: producers of meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, and pastries/bread, other non-produce items such as flowers, and Art/Craft and Prepared Food Vendors as described in paragraph P. II. General Rules: A. Definition of Vendor and Farm/Production Facility: All products sold must be grown or produced by the vendor. Vendor shall be defined as the producer of goods sold and shall include the spouse, siblings, children, parents and employees of the applicant, who assist in the cultivation of the same property listed in the application under name of farm production facility. Items grown or produced at a location not listed on the application (or in an attachment) are not eligible to be sold. Only goods produced at the location listed on the application shall be considered. The resale of items purchased by the vendor is not permitted. If you do not fall within the above description you are considered a Food or Art/Craft Vendor as defined in paragraph P. B. Permitted Items for Sale: Items allowed for sale shall include fruits vegetables, berries, nuts, plants, herbs, flowers, baked goods, honey, jams, jellies, cheese and vendor-raised fish, meat and poultry. Examples of items not permitted include canned goods and molasses except by special approval of market management. All processed/cured/baked items, including preserves, honey, cheese and meat, must be properly labeled to clearly identify processor, grower or producer and ingredients. A certificate from the resident department of health indicating facilities in which the above items were processed, cooked or prepared, must be provided before such items will be approved for sale and must be displayed on site at all times. Cider: Cider is only permitted if it is pressed by the vendor or if it is pressed exclusively from the vendor s fruit. The sale of apples to an operator of cider press and the subsequent purchase of bottled cider back from the press operator shall not be considered to have been produced exclusively from the vendors fruit. 1
C. Application: All persons intending to sell in the Farmers Market must, prior to participation in the Market, file an application with the Village Farmers Market that verifies they are the actual grower or producer of the specific items they intend to sell in the Farmers Market. Return applications for the 2015 season by April 17, 2015. D. Leases and Written Agreements: All persons intending to sell in the Farmers Market must sign their application stating that they have read the 2015 guidelines and will adhere to same. Vendor may not sublease, sell, transfer or permit any other seller to use the assigned market space. Farmer vendors must participate in the Village Farmers Market EBT/SNAP benefits and Credit/Debit Token program. Prepared Food and Craft Vendors must participate in the Credit/Debit Token Program. See attached agreements. E. Baltimore City Health Permit: All vendors participating in the Farmers Market must comply with the sanitary rules and regulations of the Baltimore City Health Department, Farmers and vendors are responsible for obtaining and paying for all required permits. Call the Baltimore City Health Department at (410)396-4424 for more information. F. The Market Manager: The market manager is a Village Farmers Market designated representative. The Market Manager s duties and responsibilities are to: - record attendance - distribute materials intended for all vendors - record all incidents occurring before/during/after market hours - act as liaison between Village Farmers Market and all approved vendors - make and change space assignments, as necessary - maintain decorum throughout the market - resolve minor disputes on behalf of Village Farmers Market; and, - document in writing, known or alleged violations of the guidelines. G. Seasonal Rent: All approved Farmer, Art/Craft and Food vendors who sell goods in the Farmers Market are required to pay rent for the market Space they use. This rent shall be paid to the Village Farmers Market Each space occupied is rented at the following rates: Farmers: Farmers can select from two (2) payment options. 1) $200.00 per space for the entire season, paid prior to the start of the market season - Farmers may qualify for a $50 rebate at the end of the market season. To qualify for the rebate, farm vendors must attend 15 of the 17 scheduled market days. Rebates will be paid on the last day of the 2015 market season, September 26th 2015. 2) Farmers may elect to pay on a weekly basis at a rate of $18 per market day. Farmers who select to weekly payment plan are not eligible for the rebate program. 2
Art/Craft Vendors (as defined in paragraph P): $18 per market day, paid prior to the start of the market. Dates will be assigned on a first come first served basis. Art/Craft Vendors can also pay a seasonal rate of $250.00. To be eligible for the seasonal discount, payment must be received by May 15, 2015. Food Vendors (as defined in paragraph P): $25 per market day, paid prior to the start of the market. Food vendors may also select a seasonal rate of $350.00. To be eligible for the seasonal discount, payment must be received by May 15, 2015. Vendors who do not pay their rent may be denied the right to sell in the Farmers Market in the future. All vendors are required to bring their own canopy tent(s), tables and chairs. All vendors are to maintain the cleanliness of their area during market hours including public walkways in front of their space(s) and remove all trash at the completion of each market day. H. Hold Harmless Clause and Insurance: Each authorized vendor participating in the Farmers Market shall be individually responsible to the Village Farmers Market and Board of School Commissioners for Baltimore City Public Schools and the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore for any loss, personal injury, deaths, and/or any other damage to persons or property that may occur as a result of the vendor s acts or omissions or that of its servants, agents, and employees, and each vendor hereby agrees to indemnify and hold the Village Farmers Market and the Board of School Commissioners for Baltimore City Public Schools and the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore harmless from any loss, cost, damages, and other expenses, including reasonable attorney s fees, suffered or incurred by the Village Farmers Market and/or the Board of School Commissioners for Baltimore City Public Schools and the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore by reason of the vendor s acts of omissions or that of its servants, agents and employees; provided that the vendor shall not be responsible nor required to indemnify the employees. The Village Farmers Market does not provide insurance to the participants of the Village Farmers Market. It is recommended that each vendor obtain his/her own insurance. I. Market Location: The Farmers Market will operate in the West Side Skills Center parking lot, 4501 Edmondson Ave. All vendors must operate within their assigned spaces. Hucksters and non-registered vendors will not be permitted in the market or within 100 feet of the market. J. Parking: Vendors and their employees shall not park in unassigned or unused spaces or on walkways. Park all automobiles, small vans and large vehicles on the street or parking lots surrounding the market parameters. K. Space Assignment and Size: The Village Farmers Market will assign spaces prior to opening day. Vendor s tables, canopies, produce or displays shall not protrude onto the walkways. All vendors tables must line up consistently leaving a 15 foot walkway to conform to Baltimore City Fire Department regulations. Vendors must remain within the parameters as designated by Village Farmers Market. 3
L. Length of Season/Hours of Operation: The market will operate from 8am to 12pm Saturdays, from June 6, 2015 through and including September 26, 2015 rain or shine. Vendors must be set up by 7:30 am. Taking into account late shoppers, packing-up time and other break down activities, participants must be out by 2 pm. Participants must remove any remaining food items and associated sales equipment (tables, chairs, bushels, boxes, bags, trash etc.) from the site as quickly and efficiently as possible. The Village Farmers Market reserves the right to adjust the time of operations if the city requires the space for a civic/special event, or threat of severe weather conditions. N. Clean-up: The city will provide cans for the public to utilize. However, it remains the responsibility of each vendor to maintain the cleanliness of their area during market hours including public walkways in front of their space(s) and remove all trash. O. Decorum: Produce shall be attractively displayed. Business shall be conducted in an orderly and businesslike manner; no shouting or other objectionable means of soliciting trade will be tolerated. No distress pricing will be allowed. No live animals, pets or otherwise are permitted, except by special arrangement with the market management. P. Food Vendor or Craft Vendor: Definitions of Prepared Food Vendor and Art/Craft Vendor are as follows; Prepared Food Vendors: Food Vendors may sell prepared items such as sandwiches, or other prepared food and drinks. Included are foods prepared on-site such as brewed coffee, grilled or other forms of cooked foods. Menu items and price list must be included with all applications. All menus must include a minimum of 3 items priced $5 or less. Deviation from the approved menu may result in loss of space at the Village Farmers Market with no refund of seasonal fees. III. Art/Craft Vendors: All art/craft items must be produced locally by the vendor. The Village Farmers Market does not permit the resale of art/craft items. Art/Craft vendors will provide a list of proposed products and photos of sample products at the time of application. Deviation from the approved list of arts/crafts may result in loss of space at the Village Farmers Market with no refund of seasonal fees. Violations: A. Any complaint against a vendor regarding the origination of their produce or goods, or any other matter, must be directed to the attention of the market manager in writing via e-mail or letter. Resolution of complaints are the responsibility of the Village Farmers Market which shall determine, in its sole discretion, what type of investigation, if any, shall be conducted in response to written complaints; whether or not the written complaints shall be provided to the vendor against whom the complaint is directed; what type of response, written or oral, a vendor against whom a complaint is made shall be entitled to make; and the time frame in which it is made. B. When the Village Farmers Market determines, in its sole discretion, that a vendor has violated any provision of these guidelines, it will issue a warning. If the vendor fails to comply by the next market day, it will result in termination of this agreement and the vendor may no longer sell at the market. IV. Modifications: The Village Farmers Market reserves the right to revise guidelines at any time as it deems appropriate. 4
V. Compliance: The Village Farmers Market reserves the right to approve and/or disapprove any item listed for sale on applications. Vendors shall not display/sell any item that has not been approved by the Reviewing Committee. Applications are reviewed and accepted and/or denied solely by the Village Farmers Market Committee. All approved vendors will be notified by May 1, 2015. The Village Farmers Market reserves the right to terminate any participant for non-compliance of the above guidelines at any time. If a farmer or vendor is terminated by Village Farmers Market from the market for violation of the 2015 Guidelines, there are no refunds on the space fee and submission of application for the following year may be disqualified. Farmers and vendors are responsible for obtaining and paying for all required permits and licenses. 5
2015 Vendor Application Join the festivities at West Baltimore s finest Farmers Market, located in the heart of our business district. The market is directly visible from Route 40 in the spacious West Side Skills Center parking lot, which is directly across the street from Edmondson Village Shopping Center. The Market is open Saturday mornings from 8am to 12pm beginning June 6th through and including September 26th. Please refer to the Village Farmers Market 2015 Guidelines for a complete list of vendor fees and regulations This application is to help us learn more about you and your operation. Please take the time to fill in the requested information. Please call 443 310 6537 or email MrktMgr@villagefarmersmarket.net with questions. Completed applications can be emailed to MrktMgr@villagefarmersmarket.net or mailed to Village Market Manager, 706 Dryden Dr, Baltimore, MD 21229. Contact Information: Name: Email: Business Name: Address: City, State, Zip: Business Telephone: Mobile Telephone: Email: Type of Business (i.e., Sole Proprietor, LLC): 6
For Farmers: Total Cultivated Acreage: Vehicle Type: Length and # of Wheels: Other Markets that you participate in: Please attach directions to your farm, or enter here: Vendor Description: Farmers & Growers: Circle each category product you plan to bring to market: Fruits Vegetables Cut-Herbs Cut Flowers Meat Poultry Seafood Eggs Dairy Baked Goods Honey Mushrooms Bedding Plants/Flowers Potted Herbs Fiber Soap Other: (please specify) Processors & Prepared Food Vendors: Circle each type of product you plan to bring to market: Breads/Baked Goods Cheese Honey Jam & Jelly Ciders Syrup Granola Other (please specify): Locations where products are made: Art/Craft Vendors: Please include a list of proposed products and photos of sample products of time application. Craft vendors not participating in the full season please list preferred dates of participation: Market dates for art/craft vendors will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. 7
All applications are reviewed and accepted and/or denied solely by the Village Farmers Market Committee. The Village Farmers Market Committee reserves the right to terminate any participant for non-compliance of the guidelines at any time. If a farmer or vendor is terminated by Village Farmers Market Committee from the market for violation of 2015 Guidelines, there are no refunds on the space fee and submission of application for the following year may be disqualified. Farmers, Please complete the Product Availability Table (page 9) and include with your application. All farmers, Art/Craft and Prepared Food Vendors, must complete and sign the Debit/Credit/SNAP Card Service Program (page 10) and include it with your application. I have read the Village Farmers Market 2015 Guidelines for Farmers, Art/Craft and Prepared Food Vendors and agree to the terms contained within the document. X Signature Date 8
2105 Farm Product Availability Farm Name: Please check the anticipated months of availability Product # Varieties Approx Yield Jun Jul Aug Sep 9
2015 Village Farmers Market Vendor Agreement for Debit/Credit/SNAP Card Service Program The Village Farmers Market implements a SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Debit and Credit Service Program to offer fresh fruits and vegetables to low-income families who are on SNAP (formerly food stamps) and credit and debit customers. For consistency in the program and clarity for the market customer, we require that all vendors that sell food that can be purchased with SNAP benefits participate in the program (see list below). The market will sell wooden tokens to customers that use SNAP (independence cards) ($1 increments) and Debit/Credit cards ($5 increments). Market customers will use these tokens to purchase your products. At the end of the day, vendors will count the tokens and place them in an envelope provided by the market manager. At the beginning of the next market, the market manager will return the envelope and a check for the previous market s tokens. Debit and Credit customers will pay a $1.50 swipe fee at the EBT terminal to cover processing fees, and Village Farmers Market will retain zero percent of the value of redeemed Debit tokens. Due to Federal Regulations of the SNAP Program, we are asking vendors to sign this agreement to assure they are aware of the rules of the program. I, on behalf of my business, agree to abide by the rules described herein as they relate to the processing SNAP and Debit transactions. I/we agree to follow all USDA SNAP Program rules, as outlined on the bottom of this agreement. I/we understand that the Market Board has the right to remove vendors from the market who do not comply with rules. X Vendor Signature Date Business Name USDA SNAP PROGRAM RULES SNAP Benefits can be used to buy: fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, poultry, dairy products, seeds and plants intended for growing food. SNAP Benefits can NOT be used to buy: non-food items, ready-to-eat foods or hot foods You may NOT set a minimum purchase requirement and NO cash can be given as change with SNAP Tokens only. Change can be given for $5 Debit/Credit tokens. FOOD VENDORS (see section P of Vendor Guidelines for definition): Food Stamp Customres CANNOT purchase hot food items that are intended to be eaten on site. 10