APPLICATION PROCESS:

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The following categories qualify as a farmers market vendor:

• Agricultural/Farmer – farmers and growers who raise, harvest and cultivate their produce, herbs, nursery crops, meat and flowers or plants in the state of Michigan. This includes beekeepers, dairy, eggs, and fish producers who process their own local raw product to sell. Agricultural & Farming vendors must produce or grow at least 80% of their products. No more than 20% of their products can be included as the following TWO categories:

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• 1. Representative Vendor: agricultural products purchased for resale from Michigan wholesale farms and greenhouses. These items must be grown and/or produced in Michigan and labeled with business name and/or location.
  2. Farmer Direct: purchased directly from the farmer who grew it, vendors must provide the farm name and/or location.

• Prepared Food & Beverage – Businesses that process food or beverage items for sale. Processed food items or pre-packaged food must be made in a commercially licensed kitchen or made under Cottage Food Law per the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Concession vendors providing prepared or cooked for consumption on site, including beverage items, with or without food trucks/trailers are under the jurisdiction of the local health department in their county. To participate in the OFM, you must submit a copy of your inspection document or certification and have it with you. All food truck vendors are required to provide their own waste bin and dispose of their trash off site at the end of each market. No more than 20% of your products sold can be wholesale, value-added.

• Artisan Makers – handcrafted, non-edible products that are built, designed or crafted by you. These products cannot be brokered or wholesale only items. A limited number of spaces per farmers market season are open for this category. Please consider applying for our artisan focused markets if you fall under this category. 

• Other/Service – Vendors wanting to re-sell unique items or provide a specialty service on-site. No more than 50% of your products for sale can be direct or wholesale items and must fall under the following categories: refurbished, antique, second-hand, value-added. This category does not qualify for a full season vendor pass and a limited number of openings are available for this type. Please consider applying for our artisan focused markets if you fall under this category.

• Local Business – Michigan based organizations and/or a local business that support the mission, vision and purpose of OFM. These local businesses should have a focus on: educating the public about sustainable food access, serving low-income communities, providing an engaging and relevant activity for families. Nonprofits and/or local businesses cannot sell any products. This category does not qualify for a full season vendor pass and is limited to 1 single booth space per month.

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Vendor Guidelines:  

A single vendor booth space for the WFM is 10’x10′.  Vendors are required to supply their own tables, table coverings, and marketing materials. A tent with a minimum of 25 lb weights is required. All farmers market events are rain or shine. We do have a weather that will be given

Attendance is a vital requirement for vendors, this provides consistency to the market, its customers and the overall success of the farmers market as a whole. Regular attendance is expected for seasonal vendors.

Vendors may set up no earlier than 2 hours before market and no later than 30 mins before the market starts.  All vendors must cease sales by 30 minutes after the market ends. Vendors must vacate their space by one- and one-half hours after the market ends. The Vendor space must be left clean and free of debris. Vendors are expected to remain open during the entire length of the Market Day unless all their products have been sold.

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General Operations:

The WFM prohibits vendors from any sales of raffle tickets, all forms of organized or intended soliciting and/or political activity or displays. Distribution of content-based literature or marketing is not permitted within the market. No soliciting is permitted at or in the Farmers Market space.

Vendors are required to display the pricing of all products. Vendors may not sell any products or substances prohibited by federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or other regulation, or products containing any such prohibited substances. All licenses, seals, permits, sales tax information, and other legal requirements for the sale of any items shall be the responsibility of the vendor. Licensed vendors must maintain a current copy of license on file with the Market application.

WFM has a zero tolerance policy for any form of discrimination and harassment towards any staff member, volunteer, vendor or customer. All vendors, staff, and volunteers are expected to act in a professional manner and to treat one another with respect, contributing to a welcoming and positive atmosphere. Vendors and their staff shall lead by example and uphold the WFM mission. Use of profanity, vulgar language, or gestures will not be tolerated. Smoking anywhere inside the Farmers Market space is prohibited.

There are no refunds for approved vendors under any circumstances.