2023 Outdoor Season (June 1 - October 26) Handbook:

1. APPLICATION

To be eligible to sell goods at the New Bedford Farmers’ Market, you must submit an

online application and e-sign the statement that you have read, understand and agree

to abide by the rules of the Market. If you have any trouble with the application or you

are unable to submit an online application, please email maisy@coastalfoodshed.org

or call the market manager (508-259-2647). The market team will review your

application and notify you within 14 days of the application status.

2. VENDOR FEES:

All vendor fees (as listed on the application) need to be paid in full by the first day of

the market season if you are paying for the full season upfront, or on the day of each

market you attend if paying per market. Vendors who have not paid their vendor fees

will not be allowed to set-up until they have paid.

i. Fees can be paid by check or online. (Note: there is a convenience

fee for paying online). You can indicate your choice on the application.

Checks should be made out to Coastal Foodshed and mailed to 38

Blackmer St. New Bedford, MA 02744.

ii. There is a $25 fee for any returned checks.

iii. A late fee of $25 will apply for any unpaid balance of 2 weeks or

more.

iv. Please communicate with us ahead of time to avoid fees.

3. INSURANCE

Each vendor shall carry general liability insurance for the market in the amount of

$1,000,000 listing Coastal Foodshed as additionally insured. Each vendor must

submit a copy of the insurance certificate to the Market Manager before

attending the market. If you do not have insurance, please contact us to discuss

further.

You can email (maisy@coastalfoodshed.org) or mail the form to Coastal Foodshed

attn. Maisy, 38 Blackmer Street, NB 02744)

4. LOCATION, DATE, AND TIME OF MARKET:

The New Bedford Farmers Market takes place on Thursdays: 2 - 6 PM at

Buttonwood Park behind Lawler Library on Buttonwood and Lake Streets, New

Bedford, MA 02740

5. CLOSURES:

Inclement Weather:

The markets are open rain, shine, or snow. If there is severe inclement weather that

risks the safety of vendors and customers (e.g. thunderstorm or wind so strong tents

will fly), the Market Manager will determine if the market will open. Vendors will be

notified in advance of market closures through email, text and social media updates.

Covid Closures:

The Buttonwood Warming House is owned and operated by the City of New Bedford.

We will follow any city-wide closures due to the pandemic.

6. ELIGIBILITY OF ITEMS SOLD

We are a Producers Market:

The New Bedford Farmers Market is a producers’ market, meaning that all items sold

must be locally produced/grown by the vendor themselves. Locally grown by the vendor

themselves shall mean the following: all pruning, spraying, fertilizing, and harvesting

of fruits and vegetables is undertaken by members of the seller’s household or

persons directly employed and paid by the seller. This may include items grown on

land under written lease or license, provided that the farmer who leased the land

undertakes all the previous activities.

The following are exceptions to these rules and are subject to approval on a

case-by-case basis. The decision to allow an exception to the Producers Market rule

will be determined by the participating farmers at the market where the items are

sold. The Market Managers will over-see the decision-making process:

i. If no other vendor is selling a product, they may be bought in from

another local RI/MA producer, subject to approval by participating

market farmers and the Market Managers. The source & location of

these items MUST be clearly labeled at the vendor booth (name of

producer/location) and communicated to customers.

ii. Items bought-in from other local RI/MA producers can only be sold after

other vendors are done selling what they grew (for example, people

who buy in local MA/RI blueberries can't sell them until all other

vendors who are growing their own blueberries are sold). We stress

clear communication between vendors during this process!

iii. Items not commercially produced/available locally (i.e. olive oil) may be

allowed at the market at the discretion of the Market Manager.

iv. Other New England states- NH, CT, ME, VT- products will be considered.

Please discuss with the Market Manager first for approval.

Processed Foods & Goods:

These items can be sold at the market if:

i. These products are made by the vendor locally in MA/RI.

ii. These products must be considered appropriate to be sold at the market by

the Market Manager. Saleable items may include, but are not limited to:

prepared and specialty foods such as jam, jellies, sauces, salsas, vinegar,

chocolates, coffee, baked goods, seafood, and any other items deemed

appropriate by the Market Managers

iii. No processed foods or goods may be purchased by the vendor and resold at

the Market in its original state.

iv. Each package or container of processed foods must be clearly labeled with

the following: 1) Name of the vendor that produced the item 2) Product

name 3) List of all ingredients

v. The vendor is responsible for obtaining the appropriate licenses

including paying for the fee ($90 for the year) from the New Bedford

Health Department BEFORE coming to the market: The vendor’s kitchen

must have been inspected by the health department yielding a retail kitchen

permit to sell that particular product or other arrangements made by health

department as seen fit. The vendor has taken a two-hour food handling

safety course where applicable and food allergen training as required by

the health department. The health department has approved the vendor’s

product line and application. The Health Dept. will inspect the vendor on

the first day of the market, or other arrangements per the health

department. Permits must be displayed at the market by the vendor.

Inventory of items:

All persons desiring to sell goods at the market must submit of comprehensive

inventory list (through the online application) of items to be sold at the market. This

list must also include where each item is sourced (i.e. if buying in blueberries from a

local farm, please indicate the name of the farm and location). The list will be reviewed

with the application and a final list will be approved by the Market Manager. To add

items to this list, you must discuss items and get approval by the Market

Manager prior to selling the items.

Farm/Business Visits:

All new farmers/vendors who participate in the New Bedford Farmers Markets must

agree to an onsite inspection. Previous farmers- who have been inspected in the past,

do not need to be inspected unless another farmer/vendor requests it and approved

by the Market Managers. Other volunteer Farmers and the Market Manager will

perform onsite farm inspections at least once during the season to ensure compliance

with the Producers Market eligibility.

7. ATTENDANCE, ARRIVAL, SET UP, AND DEPARTURE

Attendance:

If a vendor cannot attend the market, the vendor must notify the Market Manager at

least 24 hours in advance by phone or email. Please note, 3 or more unexplained

absences may result in your disqualification as a Market Vendor. Please stay in

communication with the Market Manager regarding any scheduling conflicts.

Commitment to Selling Time:

Vendors must commit to selling for an entire market day, unless worked out with the

Market Manager ahead of time. No selling of items at the market until the bell has been

rung by the Market Manager at 2pm.

Setup and Cleanup:

Set-up begins 1 hour before the market. Vendors must be fully setup and ready to sell

by the start of the market. No vendor arrivals will be permitted after the first half hour

unless vendors have worked out an arrangement with the Market Manager ahead of

time.

All vendors are responsible for their own trash removal at the end of the day and shall

clean up all litter and/or product debris before leaving the grounds. When selling

ready to eat items, the individual participant must provide an approved receptacle for

used wrappers, cups, etc. Cleanup must be completed, and participants must vacate

the market no later than one hour after selling time. Vendor space must look exactly

how it was when vendor arrived.

8. VENDOR SPACE, SIGNAGE & DISPLAYS

Space:

Vendors shall be given a space of 10’ x 10” and if the vendor requires more space,

please indicate this on the online application for approval by the Market Manager.

Please note this may require an additional fee. Vendors are placed according to the

Market Manager’s discretion. Every effort is made to keep placement consistent

throughout the season. Please be advised that ultimately it is up to the Market

Manager that day to make the final decision on where vendors will be located and this

can change from market to market based on which vendors are present, and/or other

activities happening that day.

Equipment:

Each vendor must supply his/her own tables, chairs, or other display equipment. The

Market provides no equipment for vendors.

Signage & Displays:

i. Promoting Payment Methods: The New Bedford Farmers Market accepts

Debit/Credit, SNAP/EBT/HIP, and is eligible for approved vendors to accept

Farmers Market Nutrition Program (WIC/Senior) coupons.

ii. Vendors shall display a visible sign stating the business name and town out of

which the vendor operates as required by the Commonwealth of

Massachusetts.

iii. ALL vendors MUST clearly post pricing of ALL items sold.

iv. Any items bought for resale (with permission from Market manager) will be

clearly label with the farm name and location (town & state) where they were

grown.

v. No boxes or displays shall extend into common and/or customer traffic areas

or impede customer traffic, encroach into foot traffic paths, or disrupt or

interfere with any other vendor’s space, display, or ability to conduct business.

Stands and displays are to be kept hazard free and attractive at all times.

vi. The Market Manager reserves the right to require any vendor to remove or

change any display that appears hazardous, unsanitary, or does not conform to

the Market requirements for displays.

vii. Any product less than premium quality should be clearly labeled ‘seconds’.

Prices:

Prices for products shall be determined only by the individual seller. Collusion among

growers to raise or lower prices, or to exert pressure or persuasion to cause any

grower to increase or decrease prices will not be permitted. Produce may be sold by

the pound, bunch, piece, or measured container. Scales must be sealed by the Sealer of

Weights and Measures each year.

9. TOKEN SYSTEM FOR PAYMENTS

The New Bedford Farmers Market accepts SNAP and Debit/Credit Cards. The Market

Manager oversees the token system and assists vendors with disbursement and

reimbursements. Vendors are paid on a bi-weekly basis and transactional costs are

covered by the Market Manager.

All vendors of the New Bedford Farmers Markets are required to participate in the

SNAP and Debit/Credit Token System. All vendors must submit a reimbursement form

at the end of the market, so we can reimburse you for the tokens used at the farmers’

market.

10. DATA COLLECTION

The Market Management team collects data on foot traffic, sales, photos, customer

feedback etc. which provides useful information for grant opportunities that support

and operate the market.

All sales data are kept anonymous and vendor names will not be shared publicly,

unless permission is given. By agreeing to these vendor handbook rules, you agree to

share your data with the Market Management team to be used at their discretion for

the benefit of the markets.

11. SAFETY PROTOCOLS DURING COVID-19:

Our priority is the safety of our vendors and our farmers’ market community. The NB

Farmers’ Market Management team will continue to follow all guidelines issued by the

CDC and other relevant government agencies concerning Covid-19. All vendors are

expected to follow all safety protocols put in place by the Market Management Team.

Any vendors that do not follow safety protocols will be asked to leave the market.

12. OTHER VENDOR RESPONSIBILITIES

i. No participant shall engage in solicitation, collection drives, political, or

religious activities in the selling area.

ii. All vendors are required to park in vendor designated locations to allow for

customer parking.

iii. All participants must always be courteous to the public. A general neat and

clean appearance for all market participants is mandatory.

iv. No participant shall drink or possess any alcohol, use any controlled substance

while at the Market or be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while at the

market.

v. The New Bedford Farmers’ Market has ZERO tolerance for discrimination and/or

harassment based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, social status,

mental or physical disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

13. COMPLIANCE OF MARKET VENDOR HANDBOOK

This is a vendor driven market and therefore we take feedback from vendors very

seriously. If a vendor feels uncomfortable or concerned with a current vendor’s behavior,

selling, growing, harvesting, or producing practices, please notify the Market Manager

immediately so action can be taken.

The Market Manager will conduct interviews with such vendors and if they find any

violations against a vendor, the market managers will take appropriate action.

Any failure to abide by the Market Rules will be subject to disciplinary action in the

following process:

i. Each vendor is allowed two excusable offenses of the Market Rules, and the

third offense shall be deemed sufficient grounds for excluding the vendor from

the market for the remainder of the market season with no refund of vendor

fees.

a. 1st offense: The vendor will receive a written warning detailing which

Market Rule was violated.

b. 2nd offense: The vendor will receive a copy of the first offense violated

and will receive a new document detailing the 2nd offense violated in

the Market Rules.

c. 3rd offense: The vendor will receive a detailed document of the 1st and

2nd offenses along with the 3rd offense violated in the Market Rules.

The vendor will be placed on a 2-week probation period from the

market to allow for the Market Manager to discuss these violations with

other vendors. The Market Managers and vendors will take a majority

vote on whether or not to terminate the vendor from the market.

Termination from the market season will result in no refund of vendor

fees.

d. Consideration for re-entering the next year’s market season will be

determined by the Market Manager on a case-by-case basis and with

feedback from other market vendors. If approved for reentry, the

vendor will be on a probationary period to be decided by the Market

Manager.

ii. Any person may submit a written grievance regarding the operation of the

market or potential violation of the rules and regulations to the Market

Manager. The Market Manager will review the grievance in accordance to the

Market Rules. In the event of disputes regarding the daily operations of the

market, the decisions of the Market Manager shall be final.

iii. Please sign statement via online application: I agree to the 2023 New

Bedford Farmers Market Handbook. I understand them and I agree that

both myself and anyone representing my business (I will share this

document and review with all employees attending the market to sell items

in my place), will follow them. By signing the online application I agree to

the new terms of the 2023 New Bedford Farmers Market Vendor Handbook.