BURLINGTON FARMERS MARKET INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE NEW VENDORS Thank you for your interest in the Burlington Farmers Market. The summer market has been in City Hall Park for over 30 years and the winter market is going into its 4th year at Memorial Auditorium, and each year the markets become more and more popular. The new configuration for the market allows both customers and vendors more space and a more comfortable experience. The markets have become a destination spot for locals and tourist to the Burlington area alike. Every year more people like you want to be a part of it. With the limited space we have in City Hall Park and in Memorial Auditorium we must limit the number of vendors we allow into the markets. In the past all of the available spaces have been given to permanent vendors. Most vendors return every year, therefore, we can only take in a new member when a permanent vendor decides to leave or the city allows us more space. With the new requirements on vendor insurance, all of our vendors must be covered even if they are only called on occasionally to fill a position on a Saturday when a permanent vendor chooses not to come. Below are answers to commonly asked questions. If you choose to apply, your application will be considered in the late winter/spring for the upcoming summer’s market. Winter applications are considered late summer/early fall. You will be informed of the Steering Committee (summer) or Advisory Committee’s (winter) decision via email. What can I sell at the Market? ALL VENDORS MAY ONLY SELL WHAT THEY THEMSELVES PRODUCE. The market is not a place for an established business to use as an outlet. If you have a storefront and regular business hours open to the public you will be turned down. (The market is an incubator for small businesses that may eventually open a storefront built upon their success at the market.) If you are a farmer and have a stand at your farm, or you rent a space just to produce your product, you may be exempt from this rule. The Burlington Farmers Market guidelines state the following: The Burlington Farmers’ Market exists to facilitate a link between local producers and consumers. To that end, we only allow the sale of producer‐grown or made goods. The Market is primarily an agricultural market but also provides a variety of products made in local cottage industries. The following vendor guidelines apply: a. An agricultural vendor is: A vendor who sells food, fiber, plants, or flowers, and value added agricultural products that were grown in Vermont by the vendor or the vendor’s employees. b. A prepared food vendor is: A vendor who sells ready to eat food or drink prepared by the vendor in Vermont in a home or licensed community kitchen. Food vendors are encouraged to source ingredients from local Vermont farms and businesses. c. A craft vendor is: A vendor who sells items that do not qualify as agricultural or prepared food and that are hand crafted in Vermont by the vendor in their home or shop. What do I need to do to become a vendor? At this point, you are welcome to fill out this application and mail it in or hand it to the Market Manager or member of the Steering Committee. If your product fits the Market’s accepted products criteria laid out in the guidelines, you will be notified (usually through email), of the next step. Do you have a wait list for prospective vendors? In the past the market had attempted to keep a wait list but with over 50 interested potential vendors and very few vacancies we have done away with this practice. Approved applications will be kept on file. If at any time during the season an opening occurs and the Market could benefit from you product, you will be contacted by the Market Manager. If this happens you will be required to obtain the proper insurance. What requirements must I meet? You must reside in VT year round. You must have a VT state tax ID number prior to your first day of vending at the market. (Some business at exempt; contact the VT Department of Taxes for more information in regards to your business). If you plan to sell ready to eat food of any kind (with the exception of some flour products), you must have a license from the VT Department of Health and you must plan to comply with their rules and regulations while selling at the Market (they will conduct random inspections). All vendors are required to carry the following insurance requirements: $1,000,000 Personal Liability $2,000,000 General Aggregate Name the City of Burlington as “Certificate Holder” & “Additionally Insured” I am a craft vendor, what are my chances? The City of Burlington, in our contract, only allows us to have a maximum of 35% craft vendors to remain a “Farmers” market. We must accept three new agriculture vendors to accept one new craft. If the Steering Committee feels your craft would be beneficial to the market and we have the space you will have your craft juried and may be allowed to vend at the market. What fees are involved? The membership fee for 2011 is $50/year and permanent vending spaces are $220 for a 5 linear feet of frontage (with either 7 ½ or 10 feet of depth depending on the location). Provisional vendors (first year vendors) do not pay the membership fee but do follow the same amount as Permanent Vendors for the amount of space taken. Day Vendors do not pay a membership fee however, they do pay $25 for each 5‐linear foot space used per week until they reach the Day Vendor cap. What is the Market Season? The summer market begins the second Saturday in May and runs through the last Saturday in October. The operating hours are from 8:30am to 2:00pm. The Winter Market runs from November through April and is held twice a month. The operating hours are 10:00am to 2:00pm. Vendors are expected to stay for the entire market unless they are sold out. Thank you for your interest. Burlington Farmers’ Market Steering Committee PLEASE RETURN COMPLETED APPLICATIONS TO: Burlington Farmers Market Applications PO Box 1333 Burlington, VT 05402 It is requested that those applying to the market are completely honest on their application. Those found to falsely represent themselves or their products will have their applications rejected.