Ware Farmers' Market PLUS
2008 Vendor Guidelines and Application

Location and dates of operation:
Old Meeting House, Route 9 - Ware

Every Saturday, rain or shine, from 9:00am-1:00pm with set-up at 8:00am.  May-October (weather and park condition permitting)

Fees:

      BOARD MEMBERS* / NON-BOARD MEMBERS :

• Per week: $10.00

All fees go toward Market operating costs and promotion and include the additional online service of the "Visit our Vendors" showcase (link to your website, physical address, and a short promotional description) through our website - www.warefarmersmarket.org

Application directions:
Ware Farmers' Market strives to make the vendor environment as friendly, inexpensive, and easy to access as possible. To this end, we have worked closely with local regulatory entities such as the Board of Health to ensure that any vendor - large or small - can navigate the application process successfully. Also, to make it as rewarding as possible, we plan on a comprehensive marketing campaign.

Types of vendors:
Ware Farmers' Market welcomes regional growers. In addition, the Market welcomes regional artisans, gardeners, and bakers.

Health permits:
All items for sale must be approved by the Market and be in accordance with local health regulations. For example, anyone selling crafts or fresh and un-processed fruit, flowers, syrup, vegetables, eggs, or honey does not need a health department permit. On the other hand, those wishing to sell processed foods such as pies or cakes will need to have a Residential kitchen permit, inspection, and training from their local Board of Health. For more information, contact us at info@warefarmersmarket.org.

Insurance:
Ware Farmers' Market operates under blanket insurance that covers the town and the marketplace itself. While we encourage all vendors to purchase insurance to cover their products, any vendors selling processed foods are required to show proof of liability insurance. For smaller vendors, this can sometimes be done as a rider on home-owner's insurance.

Application:
For consideration in the market, please fill out the attached application and return to the Market with any relevant documentation and your fees. If you are selling unprocessed foods, please return by the Friday before the Saturday you wish to start. If you are selling processed foods, please return by the Friday one week before the day you wish to begin. For example, if you wished to start on September 2nd, you would need to have your application in by August 25th.

Applications can be downloaded HERE, filled out and returned via email to info@warefarmersmarket.org

 

~ Questions? Don't hesitate to contact us. ~

Market Operating Regulations:

The Ware Farmers' Market operates with the permission of the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Select Board of the Town of Ware, with whom these rules are on file. Responsible and considerate use of town property is essential. The market is supervised by the governing committee known as the Ware Farmers' Market Committee (WFMC), and it operates for the benefit of the consumers and the region's small growers. The market is open to sellers only by permission of the WFMC. Restrictions on space use may be necessitated at the discretion of the market manager on those few market days when certain activities are held at the Old Meeting House.

1. Vendors coming to the market must plan on arriving by 8:00AM and staying until at least 1:00PM. After 8:00AM no vehicle may enter, leave, or move within the market areas unless directed and accompanied by the Market Manager. For the safety and continuity of the Ware Farmers' market, no vehicle will be allowed to leave the market space until 1:00PM except in the case of an emergency situation or with prior notification and agreement with the Market Manager. Whatever the situation, vehicle movement MUST be accompanied and directed by the Market Manager, NOT a neighboring vendor or a passing customer.

2. In order to use a space, vendors must be present with goods available for sale. Vehicles must be parked in spaces as directed by the Market Manager. When conditions warrant, vehicles MUST use a chock-block behind at least one wheel as a safety precaution.

3. Prices of goods will be determined by the vendor or negotiated by the vendor and the customer. Growers whose business is primarily wholesale are not permitted to participate in the Market, it being the intention of the Market to encourage retail operations and to promote Massachusetts' agriculture. Neither the Town of Ware nor the WFMC is responsible for arrangements made between vendors and customers. No warranty of any sort is made, expressed, or implied by the Town of Ware or the WFMC. Any warranty whatsoever is expressly denied. Vendors selling items by weight must supply a scale, sealed with an official Weights and Measures inspection sticker.

4. Each vendor is responsible for setting up, displaying, packaging, and protecting his/her products. Vendors may display their products in the area designated by the manager in a manner that will leave a minimum 16' wide walking path. Each vendor must leave his/her assigned space in 'broom clean' condition as determined by the Manager.

5. If a problem arises at the Market, disputes must be taken to and settled by the Market Manager as the authorized representative of the WFMC. Disputes between vendors and harassment of individuals of any kind are not permitted. If a complaint is not settled at the Market it must be submitted in writing to the WFMC, whose decision will be final. Failure to comply with said decision shall subject the individual(s) involved to sanctions including exclusion from future participation in the Ware Farmers' Market.

**Click here to download a Word Document of the above information.

**Click here to download a PDF on proper Food Labeling.

**Click here to download a PDF on Operating a Residential Kitchen.

See you at the Market!

Every Saturday at the Old Meeting House on Route 9 - Mark your calendars!