Vendor Certificate of Insurance
ALL vendors must carry a general liability insurance policy.
Proof of insurance (COI) with Foodshed Alliance listed as an additional insured is required to be a vendor at Salida and Buena Vista Markets. Foodshed Alliance’s mailing address to be listed as an additional insured is:
Foodshed Alliance
PO Box 1155
Salida, CO 81201
Below are additional resources to assist you in securing appropriate insurance coverage:
Requirements of Vendor Insurance:
All Vendors must have Certificate of Insurance with Foodshed Alliance listed as Additional Insured
Vendors will submit COI to Foodshed Alliance as part of Foodshed Alliance application.
Minimum requirement is $1 million per occurrence / $2 million aggregate for Commercial General Liability Insurance
Town of Buena Vista Licenses
All BV Vendors are required to obtain a Buena Vista Business License New BV Business License Application OR Renew BV Business License Application OR a Peddler/Solicitor/Transient Merchant License.
City of Salida Licenses
The City of Salida requires Foodshed Alliance to collect a $20 Vendor Fee from all Vendors. Foodshed Alliance remits this fee to the City at the end of the season. Foodshed Alliance charges a $5 administration fee. All Salida Vendors are subject to a total “Salida Vendor fee” of $25.00
Checklists for Start-Up Food Processors
Colorado Building Farmers
The Principles of Business Planning and Management program is a series of evening classes designed to help New Farmers and Ranchers explore farming as a business and provide Intermediate and Experienced Farmers and Ranchers with tools and ideas to refine and enhance their business management, production, and marketing skills.
Colorado Business Express
A quick and easy way to register a business with Colorado Department of Revenue and/or Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.
Colorado Cottage Foods
The Colorado Cottage Foods Act began in 2012, Senate Bill 12-048, and was amended in 2013, 2015, and 2016 (read about the history of the act). The Colorado Cottage Foods Act allows individuals to make and sell a limited range of foods that are non-potentially hazardous and that do not require refrigeration. These foods are limited to spices, teas, dehydrated produce, nuts, seeds, honey, jams, jellies, preserves, fruit butter, flour, and baked goods, including candies, fruit empanadas, and tortillas. 2016’s amendment (SB 16-058) added all non-PHF foods to the approved list (including pickled items) and enabled internet sales within the state.
One thing that differentiates Colorado from other states is that rather than limiting overall sales per year, they limit the sales of each product ($10,000 per product/flavor). This allows producers to sell an unlimited amount of food, as long as they keep creating different products.
A sign must be displayed at the point of sale with this statement: “This product was produced in a home kitchen that is not subject to state licensure or inspection. This product is not intended for resale.”
Cottage Foods Business
What steps do I need to take to start preparing and selling Cottage Foods in the state of Colorado?
Cottage Foods Eligible Products
According to the Cottage Foods Act, “A producer is permitted to sell only a limited range of foods that have been produced, processed, or packaged that are non-potentially hazardous and do not require refrigeration.” These foods are limited to:
Spices
Teas
Dehydrated produce
Nuts
Seeds, including roasted coffee beans
Honey
Jams
Jellies
Preserves
Fruit butters
Certain baked goods
Candies
Fruit empanadas (added in 2015)
Tortillas (added in 2015)
Flour (added in 2015)
Pickled fruits and vegetables (added in 2016)
Other non-potentially hazardous foods (added in 2016)
Cottage Foods FAQ
As part of the Land-Grant mission, Colorado State University Extension provides information and education to the public. This list of answers to frequently asked questions was developed to provide guidance for anyone interested in learning more about cottage food production. The information is based on the Colorado Cottage Foods Act and subsequent modifications and guidance provided by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).
Cottage Foods - Packaging and Labeling
Colorado Farm to Market
Helping to navigate the road from farm to market. This site was developed to familiarize Colorado food producers and food product manufacturers with federal, state and local food licensing regulations and to help ensure that the path food travels from farm to fork is safe.
Colorado Farm to Table
Focused on the safe production, preparation and consumption of food in Colorado.
Colorado Farm Products Act
The Farm Products Dealer Program is designed to protect sellers of Colorado farm products from fraudulent dealers and handlers. A farm product is an unprocessed product of the soil, livestock, milk, honey, and hay. This is achieved through: licensing and bonding buyers, auditing and inspecting licensed dealers for financial soundness, investigating producer/consumer complaints.
Colorado Proud
CSU Extension
A division of the Office of Engagement. Providing trusted, practical education to help you solve problems, develop skills and build a better future. Expertise in agriculture, horticulture, range, forestry, water, health promotion, financial literacy, business management, community development and 4-H youth-development-based in counties and on campus-are all part of Extension’s effort to bring the latest information to the people of Colorado.
Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Used to identify a business entity. Free to obtain and you can apply online and get your EIN immediately. If you do not have an EIN you will use your Social Security Number.
Environmental Health
Chaffee County
Wano Urbonas
wurbonas@chaffeecounty.org
719-207-1498
Food Safety for Market Vendors
Food Liability Insurance Program
Food vendor insurance is for food vendors at farmers markets.
Retail Food Establishment License
A Retail Food Establishment is a retail operation that stores, prepares, or packages food for human consumption or serves or otherwise provides food for human consumption to consumers directly or indirectly through a delivery service, whether such food is consumed on or off the premises or whether there is a charge for such food. Examples of retail food establishments include farmers markets, push carts, vending carts, food vendors, chile roasters, and street vendors.
Sales Tax License
The Colorado sales tax license (in other parts of the country, may be called a reseller’s license, a vendor's license or a resale certificate) is for state sales tax and any state-collected county, city and special district taxes that the Colorado Department of Revenue collects and distributes back to local governments. Sometimes taxpayers refer to this as a business registration, but it is an application for a Colorado sales tax account or sales tax designation. In Colorado, services are not taxable.
SALES TAX RATES 2020
City of Salida
Colorado State 2.9%
Chaffee County 2.75%
City of Salida 3.0%
Total 8.65%
Town of Buena Vista
Colorado State 2.9%
Chaffee County 2.75%
Town of BV 2.5%
Total 8.15%