Member Vendor Member vendors are welcomed and encouraged to participate in all 22 weeks of the market season; 41 markets total (22 in Salida and 19 in Buena Vista). The member vendor option is designed for vendors who would like to attend 5+ markets.

• $200 annual membership fee ($150 early-bird annual membership fee for applications submitted by March 1st), paid prior to first market
• +5% of gross market sales fee, paid at the end of each market
• Single 10x10 booth space at 'home' market location of vendor's choice
• Member vendors are invited to attend a single, second market location at no cost, except for +5% of gross market sales fee (and cost of any required permits/licenses)
• Member vendors can add a second market location for $25 annually
• Member vendors are promoted on the Foodshed Alliance website, social media, and other marketing materials

Drop-In Vendor Drop-in vendors are welcomed to market when space is available. The drop-in vendor option is designed for vendors who would like to attend 4 markets or less.

• $40 daily drop-in vendor fee, paid to reserve spot
• +15% of gross market sales fee, paid at the end of each market
• Maximum of 4 drop-in markets per year
• If a 5th market is desired, upgrade to member vendor
• Any paid drop-in vendor fees (up to $160) will be applied towards the member vendor fee

Info-Vendor Info vendors are welcomed to market and are given two options to participate. Vendors may choose to attend as a drop-in info vendor or member info vendor.

• Drop-in Info Vendor
  • $40 daily drop-in info vendor fee ($20 for nonprofits)
• Member Info Vendor
  • $200 annual membership fee ($100 for nonprofits)
  • Unlimited markets per year, guaranteed space

Info vendors are not permitted to sell any products unless it is for nonprofit fundraising purposes and the Board of Directors approves the products being sold in writing prior to market. Foodshed Alliance values partnerships that align or connect with our vision and mission. We ask that info vendors have a focus in at least one of the following areas:

• Promotion of consumer support for local agriculture
• Development of distribution channels for farm direct products
• Preservation and stewardship of land: farm, ranch, open space, and water advocacy
• Food, land, and water policy advocacy focused on our region’s agricultural community
• Diet and nutrition with an emphasis on local agriculture
• Public outreach regarding sustainable farming/gardening practices

Performing Artist Performing Artists are welcomed to enhance the market atmosphere. We hire performing artists for all 37 markets. The performing artist vendor option is designed for performing artists who seek a free venue to perform, exposure, and an appreciative audience.

All Vendors

• All vendors must submit an application
• All vendor fees must be paid after application approval and prior to market
• All supporting documentation must be received at time of application; applications cannot be reviewed until supporting documentation is received
• Vendors will be given a market fee form (for percentage of gross market sales) at the end of each market; fill out and remit with payment
• Vendors must honestly report all sales made at each market

Approval & Denial

Foodshed Alliance Board of Directors (BOD) approve and deny all vendor applications; submitting an application does not guarantee admission into the market. Applicants who do not clearly meet the criteria will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. All approvals are at the sole discretion of the BOD. Approval/Denial will be corresponded via email.

Revocation of Approval

Approval can be revoked for failure to meet the guidelines and is at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Market Manager at their discretion can request products that don't clearly meet the guidelines to not be sold. Anyone who fails to comply with the vendor policy may have her/his right to participate revoked with no refund of any fees. Any outstanding fees must be paid within seven days of the date of termination or collection procedures will be taken.

Producer

Agricultural products that have been grown or raised by the vendor (e.g. vegetables, fruits, plants, flowers, eggs, beans, etc.)*

• Producer vendors may resell Colorado-grown produce and other raw agricultural products only upon prior approval from the Market Manager and only if the same product isn't already being sold at market by another vendor that grows/produces that product. Receipts for resale items must be kept on hand and furnished upon request.

Processor

Value-added products made from raw agricultural products by the vendor (e.g. meat, poultry, fish, preserved/canned goods, baked goods, cottage foods, pasta, bread, roasted chiles, cheese, pet snacks, etc.)

• For vendors selling products containing CBD: We prioritize vendors that are growing their own hemp and can therefore speak to the specific growing practices of the product. Vendors must be using CBD from an approved source licensed with the State of Colorado and if you are the grower, you must be registered with the State of Colorado. Foodshed Alliance requires a full test panel from an accredited laboratory for each finished product you intend to sell. CBD is not permitted in any Cottage Food items.

Concessionaire

Freshly made, prepared foods, prepared by the vendor, typically ready-to-eat / intended for immediate consumption.

Arts & Crafts

CO-made, handcrafted goods that are original/created by the Vendor. Creations reviewed and accepted based on quality and uniqueness.

Other

Don’t fit into any of these categories? Describe your goods or services (e.g. massage, spa service, etc.)

Gross Market Sales

All vendors are required to pay a percentage of their daily sales to Foodshed Alliance at the end of each market and before leaving for the day.

• 5% Member-Vendors
• 10% Drop-In-Vendors

At the end of each market, each vendor will be given a form to fill out and remit with payment to the Market Manager. Vendors must honestly report all sales made by the vendor or vendor’s agents.

Refunds

Unless a vendor is not accepted into the market(s), refunds are not given for any reason. If a refund is given, a $50.00 processing fee will be retained. Vendors will receive a full refund if they are no longer able to participate in market for 2021 due to COVID19.

Sales Tax

All vendors are responsible for handling their own sales taxes payments for all items sold at market. All vendors need to provide a copy of their current state sales tax license prior to their application being approved.

Change

It is the vendor's responsibility to bring adequate change (bills and coins).

SNAP Program

All vendors who sell products that qualify for purchase with SNAP (food stamps) must accept such payment. This includes:

• Breads & cereals
• Fruits & vegetables
• Meats, fish, poultry, pork
• Dairy products
• Seeds
• Plants (only which produce food to eat)

The Foodshed Alliance oversees the SNAP program. Daily market fees should first be paid with any SNAP coupons; any remaining market fee balance should then be paid with cash/check (if the value of SNAP coupons is more than daily market fee, vendor will be reimbursed for the difference at the end of market day).

It is the Vendor’s responsibility to accept only Foodshed Alliance-branded SNAP coupons.

No change should be given for SNAP transactions; the SNAP program asks vendors to help facilitate this by rounding prices to the whole dollar for SNAP sales.

Double Up Food Bucks

All vendors who sell products that qualify for purchase by Double Up must accept such payment:

• Colorado-grown fruits
• Colorado-grown vegetables

The Foodshed Alliance oversees the Double Up Food Bucks program. Daily market fees should first be paid with any Double Up coupons; any remaining market fee balance should then be paid with cash/check (if the value of Double Up coupons is more than daily market fee, vendor will be reimbursed for the difference at the end of market day).

No change should be given for Double Up transactions. The Double Up program asks vendors to help facilitate this by rounding prices to the whole dollar for Double Up sales.

Market Bucks

The Market Manager will run credit/debit transactions on a wireless terminal for customers and distribute Market Buck coupons in $5 increments to the customer; each Market Buck is equal to $5 cash.

It is the vendor’s responsibility to accept only Foodshed Alliance-branded Market Bucks.

Change can be given back for Market Bucks (e.g. If an item is $3.00 and the customer pays with a $5.00 Market Buck, $2.00 can be returned in cash).

Daily market fees should first be paid with any Market Bucks; any remaining market fee balance should then be paid with cash (if the value of Market Bucks is more than daily market fee, vendor will be reimbursed for the difference at the end of market day).

Market Bucks must be included in gross sales calculations to determine accurate market fee

Credit Cards

Vendors are encouraged to use any point of sale or consumer debit/credit card service that they deem fit to process cards. Credit card sales must be included in the vendor’s total gross sales.

Tent Dimensions

• Each vendor will receive a space large enough to accommodate a 10’x10’ tent
• Additional 10'x10' spaces may be purchased (space permitting)
• Additional space fee for member vendors is an annual fee of $25 per 10’x10’ area
• Additional space fee for drop-in vendors is $10 per 10’x10’area, per market
• All products and services offered must be contained within the allotted area

Tents & Weights

• Vendors are required to use tents (generally 10’x10')
• All tents must be in good repair and secured so they are stable against wind or bad weather
• Weights are required on each corner of a tent (minimum of 40 lbs. per corner is required)
• If a Vendor does not have adequate weights they will not be allowed to set up a tent

Sharing Booths

• A 10’x10’ booth space may be shared by multiple vendors
• Each vendor must be a member vendor, drop-in vendor, or info vendor
• Each vendor will need to submit their own application and be approved to vend at market
• Each vendor will need to have their own licenses and permits
• Each vendor will fill out a separate market sales fee form, and remit individual market fees at the end of each market day

Vehicle Spaces

Buena Vista

Vendors may use the gravel loop for load-in and load-out All vendor vehicles must be removed from the gravel loop and street parked by market start; vehicles cannot re-enter the loop for load-out until market close

Salida

• A very limited number of booth spaces will have adjoining street parking/vehicle space available
• $100 (annually) premium booth fee
• First come first serve
• A truck and trailer requires two premium booth fees
• Drop-in vendors are not eligible
• Please indicate premium booth requests in your application

Electricity

• 110-volt electricity is available
• $35.00 annual fee for electric use
• Vendors are responsible for the provision of their own electric/extension cords

Market Start

• Vendors must be set up and be ready to vend by the start time of each market
• Vendors should arrive at least one half-our before market start (or as early as necessary to complete setup on time -- whichever comes first)
• Occasional tardiness may be tolerated if Market Manager is notified in advance; 3 absences or late arrivals without prior notification/approval are grounds for revocation or losing guaranteed booth space
• If Market Manager doesn’t receive advance notice of lateness, they reserve the right to fill in vendor’s booth space with other vendor

Market End

• Vendors must have booths broken down and cleaned up no more than 1 hour after market close
• No vendor may break down and leave prior to market close without prior approval of Market Manager

Cleanliness

• Vendors are required to remove all trash and clean their respective sites within 1 hour market close
• Vendors are required to have a trash receptacle available for customers, and maintain a neat and tidy site during market hours
• Hand washing stations are strongly encouraged (and may be required) for concessionaire vendors or vendors that pass out food samples; check with Chaffee County Public Health if unsure
• No pets or other animals are permitted at any vendor booth, except guide, service, or signal dogs, who meet the Colorado Disability Law regulations

Absence

All vendors must inform the Market Manager at least three days in advance if they will be absent from any given farmers market. More advance notice is appreciated. Exceptions will be made for emergencies.

Weather

The market will operate “rain or shine,” except when weather poses a threat to the safety of vendors and customers.

Enforcement

The Board of Directors and Market Manager have full authority and discretion to uphold and enforce market rules and regulations. Violation of vendor policies will be handled as follows:

• 1st offense: Verbal reminder from Market Manager
• 2nd offense: Verbal warning from Market Manager
• 3rd offense: Written warning via email from Market Manager and Board of Directors Any vendor who receives 3 warnings will be required to meet with Board and Market Manager to discuss any future participation at market.

Revocation & Dismissal

The Board of Directors reserves the right to dismiss any vendor that does not abide by the stated rules and regulations or at their discretion for any reason.

If a vendor wishes to reinstate their privilege of participating in the farmers markets after being dismissed, they may initiate discussions with the Board or Market Manager or follow the grievance procedure detailed below.

Grievances

Vendors have the right to bring before the Board any grievance or concerns about market operations, policies, other vendors’ compliance with market rules or issues with the Market Manager. The complaint must be submitted in writing via email to admin@foodshedalliance.com. The Board shall respond in writing directly to the complaint and initiate all necessary investigations and discussions as needed.

Amendments

All rules, policies, and regulations may be amended at any time by action of the Board. As soon as practical after any such amendment, the Market Manager will notify all vendors of the nature of the amendment.

Vendor Certificate of Insurance

All vendors must have a Certificate of Insurance (COI) with Foodshed Alliance listed as an additional insured. Vendors will submit COI to Foodshed Alliance as part of supporting documentation required in Foodshed Alliance application. Minimum requirement is $1 million per occurrence / $2 million aggregate for Commercial General Liability Insurance.

Assignment of Rights

Vendors may not sell, transfer, trade, pledge, assign or otherwise convey their rights of membership.

Hold Harmless & Indemnity

By submitting a market vendor application, all participants agree to hold harmless Foodshed Alliance, its officers, employees, and volunteers from any claims for damage to property or injury to persons which may arise from, or be occasioned by, any activity carried on by the vendor or by others in vendor's control within the Foodshed Alliance Farmers Market(s) and to indemnify Foodshed Alliance, its officers, employees, and volunteers against any claim, loss judgment, or action of any nature whatsoever that may arise from or be occasioned by any activity carried on by Vendor or others in Vendor's control within Foodshed Alliance Farmers Market(s).

Exceptions to Policy

You may submit a written request for exceptions to policy should your business have a unique circumstance or need something different. Requests must be made and approved prior to your application and may take up to 30 days for approval. Email your request to info@FoodshedAlliance.com.