Western Wake Farmers’ Market, Inc. Market Rules

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Contents

1. Eligible Vendors and Products
2. Vendor Requirements
3. Space Allocation, Equipment & Supplies
4. Mission

The Western Wake Farmers Market will be open every Saturday from April through November 2010 beginning at 8:00 AM and ending at 12:00 PM.

Vendors at the Western Wake Farmers’ Market (“the Market”) agree to abide by these Market Rules. These Market Rules are subject to change and it is the obligation of each Vendor to ensure compliance with the Market Rules as amended.

In accordance with the 2010 Vendor Agreement signed by all approved vendors, any violation of these Market Rules shall constitute a breach of the 2010 Vendor Agreement and shall be cause for the termination of that agreement in accordance with its terms.

Eligible Vendors and Products

Vendors in the Market operated by WWFM Inc. shall sell or vend products produced by the vendor. Vendors must reside and produce the items they sell within a one hundred twenty-five (125) mile radius of Wake County, NC.

Products, which can be sold, include:

1. Any vegetable grown by the Vendor from seeds, sets, or seedlings.
2. Any fruits, nuts or berries grown by the Vendor from trees, bushes, or vines on the Vendor’s property (owned or leased).
3. Any plant grown by the Vendor from seed, seedlings, transplants or cuttings.
4. Bulbs propagated by the Vendor.
5. Honey produced by the Vendor’s bees.
6. Eggs produced from the Vendor’s hens.
7. Cheese, or milk products made from the Vendor’s animals and produced on the Vendor’s property.
8. Cut or dried flowers grown by the Vendor.
9. Firewood cut by the Vendor from the Vendor’s property.
10. Preserves, pickles, relishes, jams and jellies made by the Vendor.
11. Straw baled by the Vendor.
12. Baked goods made by the Vendor at the Vendor’s property.
13. Meats from animals raised by the Vendor.
14. Seafood that is locally caught using environmentally friendly fishing methods.
15. Packaged Foods (wrapped and labeled for consumer purchase) approved by WWFM Inc.
16. Beverages that may be sold include coffee, herbal teas, meade, and all natural lemonade (no artificial ingredients) and other beverages sold in paper cups as approved by WWFM Inc.
17. Soaps and herbal care body products hand produced by the Vendor.
18. Farm related crafts (bird feeders, dried flowers, photos, etc) approved by WWFM Inc.

Products, which cannot be sold, include:

1. Low acid canned foods (such as green beans, corn, carrots, etc.).
2. Canned tomato products.
3. Decorative pumpkins (edible pie pumpkins and pumpkin squash are permitted).
4. Raw milk.
5. Ready-to-Eat food (foods served to the consumer for immediate consumption).

Except as specifically provided above, no food product may be sold at the Market without the consent of WWFM Inc.

Vendor Requirements

Vendors are also required to meet the following stipulations (WWFM, Inc assumes no responsibility regarding vendors and their certifications):

All goods sold at the Market must comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, including, without limitation, all applicable health regulations, as well as the N.C. Department of Agriculture’s general guidelines regarding products exhibited for sale at farmers’ markets and curb markets. To the extent any Vendor is selling any product that requires the Vendor to obtain and maintain any license or certification, the Vendor shall have and maintain such license or certification and shall make it available for immediate inspection by the Market Manager upon request.

Additionally,

1. All Vendors must grow their own produce. No reselling is permitted.
2. WWFM Inc. reserves the right to inspect and re‐inspect any vendor’s farm/business location to verify a product’s origin, but WWFM Inc. has no obligation to do so.
3. No water or ice that comes into contact with meat or fish may be deposited or allowed to drain onto the MARKET premises.
4. Any Vendor using the term “organic” must meet the requirements of the National Organic Program and submit copy of the Vendor’s certification to the Market Manager.
5. No live animals may be physically sold or given away at the Market.
6. If a Vendor uses scales at the Market, the Vendor must have them approved by the NCDA (North Carolina Department of Agriculture).
7. CRAFTS: Crafts must be produced on Vendor’s property and be approved by the Market Manager as furthering WWFM Inc.’s Mission, as set forth in Section 4. Whenever possible, craft items should be environmentally friendly and/or promote sustainable living.

General Premise Requirements:

1. Vendors may have access to their space(s) beginning one hour before the Market begins and must vacate and clean the premises by no later than 30 minutes after the Market ends.
2. Except as expressly permitted by the Market Manager, all Vendors must be in their assigned space(s) by 7:45 AM on Saturdays at the Market.
3. Spaces will be assigned by the Market Manager before the Market begins.
4. For safety reasons, on Market days, early take-down and departure before closing time will not be allowed. Exceptions may be made in case of emergency at the discretion of Market Manager.
5. Each Vendor must have a 2010 Vendor Agreement on file with WWFM Inc. and have fees paid up to date.
6. Market Signage Guidelines:
   1. Prices must be clearly posted for all items sold.
   2. Only certified organic growers may use the term “organic” in their advertising at the Market.
7. Vendors are required to set up their display each day they offer goods for sale at the Market. They are to be present and selling at their space(s) during the time their goods are offered for sale.
8. Vendors may assign persons to assist them in selling his/her products if the representative is knowledgeable of the products and either a family member or employee of the Vendor.
9. Vendors may not share their space with others without the expressed written consent of WWFM Inc.
10. Any cooperative selling arrangements between Vendors (one Vendor selling another Vendor’s products for him/her in the event that Vendor cannot be present) must be preapproved in writing by the Market Manager and/or WWFM Inc.
11. Community Supported Agriculture (“CSA”): CSA’s will be allowed only with approval from the Market Manager. All CSA Vendors must also be an approved Vendor at the Market; no CSA pick‐up only is allowed. All CSA items must be boxed separately.
12. Vendors wishing to sell a new category of product to the market must have that product approved by the Market Manager prior to selling.

Other Requirements:

1. All Vendors must dress appropriately, including shoes and shirts and keep their hair tied back if serving food.
2. Smoking by Vendors is NOT permitted in any spaces or in the Market area.
3. No live animals are allowed in the Market space unless they are service animals for people with disabilities.
4. All edible goods must be safe for human consumption.
5. The Market Manager is authorized to require a Vendor to immediately remove any low quality merchandise, as determined by the Market Manager in its sole discretion, from the Market.
6. Vendors are required to maintain their space(s) in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner, including protecting the pavement from oil or fuel drips from any part of the Vendor’s vehicle. This includes hauling away any trash or garbage that is generated in or around the booth and sweeping up any product debris left on the ground.
7. If Vendor is using cups, toothpicks, etc. for sampling purposes, they must supply their booth with a small trash can or attach a small garbage bag to their booth for their customers.
8. Vendors must bring their own brooms and dust pans if necessary for clean up.
9. Vendors will park in spaces designated by the Market Manager before the Market begins.
10. No marketing outside the designated spaces is permitted.

Space Allocation, Equipment & Supplies

1. Each Vendor is responsible for bringing, setup and takedown of his/her own white 10’x10’ canopy and table(s) to WWFM. Any other style canopy is subject to approval by the Market Manager/WWFM Inc.
2. Vendors must maintain these canopies in good condition to the satisfaction of the Market Manager.
3. Each Vendor at Market may supply a stand, counter or tables not to exceed the width of his or her space(s).
4. The Market Manager will assign spaces at the start of the season.
5. Vendors with less frequent usage such as seasonal vendors will be assigned available spaces upon arrival to the Market.

Mission

The Mission of the Western Wake Farmer’s Market Inc. is for all people in our community to become educated about and benefit from locally grown food. Our aim is to help all walks of life, from the farmers to the local consumer to those less fortunate who might need assistance through the local food bank.

Our focus is to educate consumers about locally produced and sustainable food. We will achieve this by offering a farmer’s market where consumers have direct access to locally grown produce. We will use the market day to provide a forum for consumers and their families to understand, appreciate, and learn about the interconnectedness of food and the environment.

In addition to consumers gaining direct access to the farmers who grow their food, we will promote courses and conduct demonstrations that will educate the consumer on how to make healthy food and environmental choices. We will further this education by partnering with local agricultural, environmental, and green organizations. In addition, we will also facilitate the donation of farm food to people at risk of hunger.

Per the 2010 Vendor Agreement, Vendors must abide by these Market Rules to participate. Any complaints, disputes or violations of the rules shall be directed to the Market Manager or they can be submitted in writing to WWFM Inc. PO Box 1113, Morrisville, NC. Whenever possible, this should be handled before or after the market so as not to interrupt market activities.