Printable copy of WFMA policies here

• Purpose
• Vendor Policies
• Non-vendors that come to the market to educate or to entertain
• Conflict Resolution
• Exceptions
• Refund Policy
• General Policy
  

A. Purpose
The purpose of the Wilmington Farmers Market is to provide a place where community members can purchase fresh produce directly from farmers growing ideally within a 40-mile radius of Wilmington. (Shorter travel distances will ensure fresher produce at the market.)
Also:

• To provide a diverse and interesting selection of locally grown fruits and vegetables, and locally produced goods.
• To support small New England farmers. (Small farmers tend to grow more ethnically diverse crops, ensuring a wider variety at market.)
• To educate our community about the importance of sustainable agriculture.
• To partner with local organizations to promote education about healthy eating.
• To provide a self-sustaining social experience and to foster a sense of community in Wilmington.

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B. Vendor policies

Market Layout: The market will have between 12 and18 booths consisting of farmers, and a variety of local artisans and community organizations.

Applications: Anyone wishing to set up a booth must submit an application to the Market Manager or Vendor Relations Manager in advance of opening day. During the season, limited attendance applications may be sent, but space may not be available. All applications are screened for appropriateness to the goals of the market. Applications can be found at www.wilmingtonfarmersmarket.com.

Attendance: Farms and non-farm vendors are expected to attend every week that they have committed to. They are expected to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the opening bell. All sales must be completed by 1:30 pm. Vendors must clean their areas and be ready to leave the area by 2:00 pm. (Payment is expected for all weeks agreed and committed to by both parties.)

Booth space: Booth space is one 10 x 10 space. Vendors may rent a maximum of two spaces. Payment is due once a vendor is accepted into the market. Vendors may also pay for the entire season. Non-farm vendors and vendors not attending weekly must pay when application is accepted and selling dates are agreed upon.

Weekly vendor fees: $25.00 per booth.

Geographic proximity and size: Farms must be in Massachusetts and no more than 40 miles from Wilmington.

Jurying: As part of the application process, all crafts and prepared foods will be juried for acceptance into the market.

Product & price signage: Each farm and non-farm vendor must post prices of items for sale. Vendors may label items ‘organic’ only if they are certified as such.

Health/food permits: Vendors of any prepared or ready-to-eat foods must provide a copy of their food (kitchen) permit from their hometown, and are responsible for any forms required by the Wilmington Board of Health.

Rain or shine: The market will be held “rain or shine” unless the weather is dangerous.

Genetic engineering: No one may knowingly sell products made or grown with genetically engineered or modified organisms.

Farm booth workers: Because consumers come to the market to establish more intimate connections with their food and growers, we encourage farmers to be present at the market. If the farmer cannot be present, the farm’s representative should be able answer questions customers have about growing practices, varieties, etc.

Non-farm booth workers: Goods for sale must be presented by the artisan, or a representative of the artisan, who can answer questions about the production process.

100% home grown: Farmers must grow all the produce that they sell.

No dumping: Farmers must sell only fresh, wholesome and quality products.

Non-farm products (foods, arts & crafts, etc.): Must be high quality, locally made or fair trade, and be made with skill and creativity. The product(s) must be complementary to our farmers market. We may restrict the number of vendors selling similar products (e.g. we may restrict bakers to two). Environmental friendliness is strongly preferred. Food products should be made with local produce wherever possible. Primary food products must be 100% made by the vendor, however, incidentals like condiments may be purchased.

No hawking: Business must be conducted from inside the booth. No farm, non-farm vendor, or educational group may approach attendees outside their booths. Performers may wander the field.

Scales: Farmers using scales must have the current year’s inspection sticker.

Sanitary Facilities: Sanitary facilities are graciously provided to us by the Fourth of July Committee for use by vendors and volunteers only. A key is available at the Market Manager's table. You must lock the door when you enter the building and when you leave it, and return the key.

Start and stop times: The market will open at 10:30 pm, which will be signaled by the ringing of a bell. No sales will be made before the opening bell. Prices must be set 10:30 pm and may not be changed. All vendors must be ready to sell at the start of the market. The market will close at 1:30 pm. All vendors are expected to shut down promptly.  No vehicles will be allowed to move within the market beginning one-half hour before opening bell. Vehicles may be moved no earlier than 30 minutes after closing bell. Vendors may not break down stalls before the market closing bell.

Clean-up: All vendors are responsible for leaving their booth areas clean. Please take your trash with you.

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C. Non-vendors that come to the market to educate or to entertain

Any organization can apply to attend Wilmington Farmers Market as an educational organization or as a performer. We are eager to include performers such as musicians, clowns, jugglers, storytellers, etc. We welcome guest organizations and individuals to attend the Farmers Market to educate the public on the following subjects:

• Nutrition and food preparation
• Environment
• Health
• Organic gardening, lawn, and plant care
• Sustainable living
• Conservation of natural resources and recycling
• Local history
• Fine arts
• Local governmental bodies (to educate the public about their functioning)

We also welcome school groups.
Political activity is not allowed: We cannot provide booth space to candidates campaigning for election, to organizations promoting or refuting ballot questions, or to groups gathering signatures on petitions directed at governing bodies. Guests providing educational resources or entertainment at the market should refrain from endorsing political positions or candidates.

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D. Conflict Resolution:

On market day, any conflicts between vendors will be mediated by the Market Manager(s). Larger conflicts will be aired before the Board of Directors.

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E. Exceptions:

The Farmers Market Association’s Board of Directors may make exceptions to any of these policies, but is expected to do so very rarely.

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F. Refund Policy:

Booth fees are non-refundable.

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G. General Policy:

Wilmington Farmers Market Association (WFMA) reserves the right to refuse membership to, or revoke membership from any vendor or non-vendor for any reason, particularly if there is a conflict with established acceptable selling practices or the welfare of the market. All authorized vendors participating in the WFMA shall be independent operators and not partners or participants in a joint venture. All authorized vendors shall be individually liable for any loss, personal injury, deaths, and/or any other damages that may occur as a result of the vendor’s negligence or that of its employees, agents, and associates. All vendors agree to indemnify and save the WFMA and its volunteers, leadership board, and committee members, and the Town of Wilmington harmless from any loss, costs, damages, and other expenses, including attorney’s fees suffered or incurred by WFMA by reason of vendor’s negligence or intentional misconduct or that of its employees, agents, and associates. Vendor agrees to save, hold harmless, and indemnify the WFMA, its agents, members, volunteers, and Town of Wilmington, from and against any and all liabilities, claims, demands, expenses, fines, penalties, suits, proceedings, actions, and causes of action of any and every kind and nature arising out of or in any way connected with the vendor’s use of occupancy of the premises, or any of the vendor’s activities in the market, or those of vendor's agents, contractors, employees, customers, and invitees while in or on the market premises. Vendor agrees that no individual member, volunteer, or agent of the WFMA shall have any personal liability regarding any of the provisions of this Agreement. Under no circumstances shall vendor have a claim or cause of action against any individual member, agent, or volunteer of WFMA regarding any breach of this agreement by WFMA, or for any injury or damage sustained by vendor, its employees, contractors, agents, customers, or invitees arising out of or in connection with vendor occupying and/or operating retail business on the premises or in the market. This provision shall inure to the benefit of the WFMA, its successors and assigns, and their respective principles.

H. I have received and read the Wilmington Farmers Market Association’s policies and agree to abide by them.

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Signature(s) of all owner(s) of farm/business                              Date

Additionally, Signee must be authorized by any partnership or corporation to execute this agreement.

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Please print name(s) of all owner(s) of farm/business

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Printable copy of WFMA policies here