Introduction

A. Market Products

1. Participation in the market is restricted to members of the Walloomsac Farmers’ Market, or those groups/individuals approved by the Market Manager and/or Board of Directors.
2. Under no circumstances shall members purchase items and resell them at the market. Only approved items (see list of approved products) produced by a member or his/her household or employee on land owned or rented by that member may be sold or given away by that vendor.
3. Goods and products offered for sale are expected to be of the highest quality. If, in the opinion of the Market Manager, a vendor offers inferior quality products, the vendor may be asked to withdraw the item(s) or to label and price them accordingly.
4. Vendors are expected to follow the highest business and ethical standards at market—fraudulent or dishonest practices are prohibited.
5. Free samples may be offered to customers provided this is done in a sanitary manner and is in accordance with Department of Health requirements.
6. Products approved for sale at the market:
   1. Vegetables—grown by the vendor
   2. Fruits—grown by the vendor
   3. Dried fruits/vegetables—product grown and dried by the vendor
   4. Milk, cheese and other dairy products—milk in products must be from vendor’s own herd
   5. Eggs—from vendor’s own fowl
   6. Cider and fruit juice—sold only by the producer of the fruit
   7. Drinks—only cider and fruit juice (see e.) and herb teas (herbs grown by the vendor) may be sold at the market
   8. Honey and bee products—produced and bottled/packaged by the vendor
   9. Maple syrup—processed by the vendor from the vendor’s own or rented sugarbush
   10. Field grown plant and flowers/cut flowers—grown by the vendor from seeds, plugs, dormant roots or bulbs, or cuttings
   11. Jams and preserves—prepared by the vendor from fresh, local produce
   12. Meat products—100% from animals raised from weaning by the vendor
   13. Poultry—100% from birds raised by the vendor from chicks
   14. Baked goods—fresh baked and prepared from scratch by the vendor—no commercially prepared dough mixes, crusts, shells, fillings, or contents—vendors using local ingredients purchased directly from the farmer/producer will be given preference
   15. Animal products—wool, fleece, yarn, feathers, down, and untooled leather produced from animals owned by the vendor—vendors who process their own product will be given preference
   16. Ready to eat prepared foods—high quality food items prepared by the vendor and chosen by the Board through a jury process—vendors who use locally grown farm-direct products will be given preference
   17. Artwork and Crafts—high quality artwork and craft items designed and executed by the vendor and chosen by the Board through a jury process—commercial duplication printing and/or items assembled from kits may not be sold—all potential art and craft vendors must present samples of their work for review by the Board. Artists and craft vendors together may not exceed 20% of total vendors at the market.
7. A market and product category, once approved by the board, will generally be re-approved for the following season provided it is marked properly on the member’s application. However, the Board reserves the right to deny an item or product at their discretion. If a vendor would like to sell products significantly different from their previously approved category, the new products must be approved by the Board.
8. For vegetables and small fruits, rental of local fallow land is permitted. Rental of orchards is permitted by members who are in full control and supervision of the individual steps of production with a majority of their own machinery and labor. Any other arrangement must be submitted in writing with the member’s application for action by the Board. A map must be submitted with the application, clearly indicating the rental land, and the name and address of the owner, along with documentation of a fallow land rental or use agreement.
9. Consumer inquiries regarding pesticide use and other farm practices must be answered factually without misleading information. The Board and Market Manager reserve the right to limit vendors claims regarding farm practices that cannot be verified.
10. Genetically engineered plants and animals, and products grown or produced with engineered hormones may not be sold at the market.

B. Market Operations

1. The market operates on Saturdays, rain or shine, during the dates specified in the application packet for each year’s market. Hours of operation are from 10 AM to 1 PM. Vendors may set up at their sites up to two hours before the market opens. Set up of vehicles and stands must be complete before 10 AM. Vendors shall not begin to transact business until the designated market opening time. Vendors are expected to remain at the Market for the entire market day until the official closing time. Extenuating circumstances will be considered by the Market Manager. Vendors must have their market sites dismantled, packed up and cleaned within forty-five (45) minutes of the market closure.
2. Cancellation of the Market or early closure due to dangerous or severe weather conditions shall be at the sole discretion of the Market Manager.
3. Vendors are assigned location at the Market according to availability of spaces, seniority, previous market attendance, type of product, date of membership payment/renewal, and length of their market season. All members will receive written notification of their market location and approved items. Members must retain a copy of this notification to present to the Market Manager if requested.
4. Vendors attending the Market on a “drop-in” or daily fee basis must notify the Market Manager of their intent to attend the Market no later than the Wednesday preceding that Saturday’s market.
5. Vendors should occupy their spaces no later than 9:30 AM. Repeated lateness may result in the loss of assigned location and/or member privileges.
6. Vendors are required to notify the Market Manager no later than 8:00 AM on market day of their intended absence at the Market. The fine for each unannounced absence is equal to the normal daily fee and is payable before the vendor may sell again.
7. Vendor owner/principals must attend at least 25% of the season’s market days. People working in their place must be informed of all the market rules and regulations and the vendor is responsible for any fines and for resolving any other problems that may occur in their absence.
8. The standard vendor frontage at the market is 12 feet. Expanded (16 feet) spaces are available with assignments made at the discretion of the Market Manager.
9. Each vendor will be responsible for all equipment and supplies for the setup of a booth, table, scales, bags, signs, etc. and must operate his/her market space in a safe and sanitary manner. Display facilities must be constructed in such a way as to pose no hazards to customers and allow easy access to the goods on display. Produce may not be placed directly on the ground. Vendors who provide samples and/or products which result in waste materials, such as corn cobs, rinds and cups must provide containers for such waste disposal and advertise same. At the end of the sale day, the vendor’s area must be clean and any refuse taken home by the vendor or disposed of as directed by the Market Manager. Public trash barrels are for customer use only.
10. Each vendor shall remain on his/her own market space when selling products. Sales should be conducted in an orderly business manner. No shouting, hawking or other objectionable means of soliciting shall be tolerated. Vendors shall exhibit courtesy and cooperation to customers and to other vendors selling at the market.
11. Farms practicing Community Supported Agriculture may distribute weekly “boxes” at the Market upon notification of the board of directors. Those using a voucher system may accept them at the Tuesday market only.
12. Illegal discrimination is not permitted at the market. Vendors are expected to be courteous and honest at all times. Disagreements with customers, fellow vendors and the Market Manager must be handled in a respectful manner so as not to disrupt the Market.
13. Public drinking of alcoholic beverages and smoking while handling products and dealing with customers is prohibited.
14. Amplified music is not permitted at the Market unless it is part of entertainment sponsored by the Market.
15. Each vendor must identify themselves or their business by use of an attractively lettered sign stating their name and location.
16. Promotion by political candidates, local civic groups or non-profit organizations at the Market is at the discretion of the Board and/or the Market Manager.
17. It is the responsibility of each vendor to comply fully with all appropriate state and local regulations. Examples of such regulations include, but are not limited to, scale certification, labeling of packaged products, collection and reporting of sales tax (for items such as plants, cut flowers, crafts, etc.), dairy, meat, egg and prepared food labeling and licensing requirements, etc.
18. Vendors are required to submit anonymous gross sales figures for each market day. Receipts will be collected at the beginning of the following market day by the Market Manager or assistant. Slips will provided by the Market Manager. The figures will help the Market gauge growth and effectiveness of marketing, etc.
19. Dogs are not allowed at the market.

C. Membership Information

1. The annual membership fee is $25 for each vendor. Any vendor participating in the Market must be an approved, active member. In addition to vendor memberships, non-vendor memberships are also available. Friend of the Market memberships are $25 for individuals and $50 for businesses. Patron of the Market memberships are $75 and up. Each member has one vote and is eligible for election to the Board of Directors.
2. Vendor members are expected to attend the annual Fall membership meeting of the Walloomsac Farmers’ Market (see WFM Bylaws for annual meeting information), and are encouraged to attend other meetings as called by the Board of Directors. Non-vendor members are encouraged to attend all membership meetings.
3. The Market reserves the right to cancel the privileges of any member who, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, has willfully violated the Rules and Regulations governing the Market.
4. Members of the Board or the Market Manager with a designated knowledgeable assistant may inspect any farm or establishment with advance notice. Inspections will be made only with the member or his/her representative present unless otherwise permitted. Members must provide any help necessary to thoroughly document products and conditions recorded at the inspection. The member will be notified in writing of the results of the inspection within seven days of the inspection. Refusal to allow an inspection may result in suspension from the Market.
5. All member complaints must be directed to the Market Manager or the President of the Board.
6. Membership and market fees shall be established annually by the Board of Directors, subject to approval of the membership.

D. Stall Fees

1. The daily fee for a standard space (12 feet) is $18. Daily fees are to be paid to the Market Manager by 11 AM of the market day for which the fee applies.
2. Vendors wishing to take advantage of a discount can pay either an up front full-seasonal fee or a prepaid block of four or more weeks. Details are outlined on the 2009 application.

E. Schedule of Penalties for Violation of Rules and Regulations

Producer Only Rule:

Other Rules (e.g., being at market on time, cleaning up, unannounced absence, etc.):

Grievance Procedure for Members

1. Discuss the problem with the person(s) involved.
   Express the problem or concern as fairly and respectfully as you can.
   Explain your perspective, then listen to the other person’s side.
   Try to work out an agreeable solution together.
   If the problem persists, contact the Market Manager.
2. Discuss the problem with the Market Manager.
   The Market Manager will listen to and discuss the issue with all parties concerned. The Market Manager will work with the parties toward an equitable resolution of the problem. If a satisfactory resolution is not reached, then the Market Manger will either suggest the parties participate in a mediation or bring the issue to the Board of Directors.
3. Mediation between parties
   The parties involved will meet with a member of the Board of Directors who will mediate between them and help the parties work out an agreeable solution. If mediation fails to resolve the issue, the parties will go before the Bennington Select Board, who will act as final arbiter.
4. Schedule a meeting with the Bennington Select Board.