Vernon Farmers Market

Vernon Farmers Market Rules and Regulations

The Vernon Farmers Market is intended to provide healthy, fresh produce and non-commercial foods to the residents and visitors of the community and to support both small and large farmers and sellers of non-commercial items. The Market will encourage commerce, entertainment and trade in downtown Vernon, and help display the city’s history, uniqueness, charm and potential.

DEFINITIONS:

Produce – fresh produce (fruits, vegetables, herbs), plant items, flowers, eggs, honey
Produce stall – a stall that includes 51% of items as produce
Non-produce – value-added food products; i.e, jellies, jams, preserves, baked goods and hand-made or hand-assembled non-food items
Non-produce stall – a stall containing 51% non-produce items

HOURS, DATES AND LOCATION OF MARKETS

The Saturday Market is located on the Wilbarger County courthouse square on Cumberland Street and Pease Street. The Market operates every Saturday from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm from mid-May through mid-September. Set-up starts at 7:30 am, and all vendors must vacate the Market site by 1:00 pm.

The Tuesday Market is located in front of Wilbarger General Hospital. The Market operates every Tuesday from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm from mid-May through mid-September. Set-up starts at 3:30 pm, and all vendors must vacate the Market site by 6:30 pm.

GENERAL VENDOR GUIDELINES

PERMITTED MARKET ITEMS

Produce and non-produce items may be sold. Produce not grown or produced by the vendor themselves must be labeled with the name and location of the source farmer or producer. The Market Manager may approve up to 25% of the stalls to be non-produce stalls. The Market Manager will resolve any doubt as to the suitability of an item. No soliciting or political or religious activities shall be permitted within the Market area. Displays of public interest, such as nutritional, health or consumer information, may be displayed with the permission of the Market Manager.

VENDOR BOOTHS

Stalls and parking spaces will be available on a first-come basis. All products must be sold, displayed and stored from a surface above the ground. Vehicles may be utilized as a display or dispensing area for Market goods. No vehicle may remain running during Market hours. The use of canopies, awning and sun-umbrellas are encouraged. Each vendor is responsible for providing and removing any and all equipment and supplies he or she requires to do business on the Market site. Stall spaces are to be left in the same condition as when rented. No electricity will be provided.

FEES

Ten-foot x ten-foot (10’x10’) stall spaces or equivalent parking spaces are $5.00 including tax per Saturday Market day. If inclement weather prevents a vendor from being able to sell for three hours on a Market day, the fee will be refunded. The Market Manager will determine what constitutes inclement weather. There are no fees for Tuesday Market days.

APPROVAL OF VENDORS

The Market Manager will review applications for compliance with market rules and determine the appropriateness of the applicant’s products. The Market Manager will also determine the classification of the vendor as either a produce or non-produce vendor.

TAX, HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATIONS

Vendors are responsible for collecting and remitting their own sales tax. Vendors are responsible for informing themselves about and complying with federal, state, and local health regulations and licensing requirements governing the production, display, distribution and sale of their products.

ENFORCEMENT OF RULES

The Market Manager is responsible for enforcing the Market rules. Possible violations will be discussed and resolution attempted. Vendors selling prohibited items will be asked to remove those items from sale or leave the Market. Unresolved problems will be referred to the Vernon Farmers Market Association Board (Board). Continued violations will result in being banned from the Market with no reimbursement of fees paid. Any vendor challenging another vendor’s product’s legitimacy or conduct must file a written complaint with the Market Manager, giving the name of the vendor and the product or situation they feel may not be in compliance with Market policies. The complainant must date and sign their name to the complaint and the Market Manager will attempt resolution. If resolution is not possible, the complaint will be referred to the Board. All rules may be revised by the decision of the Board.

INSURANCE

Sellers are encouraged to consider obtaining individual liability insurance for products sold.

Your signature indicates that you have read, understand and agree with the rules.

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