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Bowdoinham
Farmers’ Market These market rules are to be followed by all those who are members of the Bowdoinham Farmers’ Market Association. These rules have been adapted from the rules of other markets, and have been developed in cooperation with members of the Bowdoinham Farmers’ Market Association. Their purpose is to minimize disputes between vendors and maintain the high standards our patrons have come to expect at farmers markets in Maine. 1. ELIGIBILITY: A. All farmers, gardeners, bakers and others who produce 100% of what they offer for sale and who carry general liability for $500,000 and possess applicable state permits and licenses are eligible for membership in the market. B. No one will be accepted into the market without a completed application and all necessary state permits, licenses, proof of liability insurance and payment of annual dues. The deadline for joining the market is April 15, 2008. Applications received after April 15, 2008 may not get into the market due to space and may not get their farms listed in the market’s promotional brochure. C. Because of space constraints, the Bowdoinham Farmers’ Market will have a maximum capacity of 12 inside tables and 4 outside spaces for vendors. If the market reaches capacity, a waiting list will be started, and decisions on space vacancy will be made by the Executive Board. D. The Executive Board reserves the right to revisit membership on a yearly basis and may refuse membership to a member who does not follow the rules or acts in a manner inconsistent with the adopted rules or market by-laws. The first year of membership is a probationary period. 2. LOCATION AND TIMES: A. The Bowdoinham Farmers’ Market will be located at The Merrymeeting Grange, 27 Main Street in Bowdoinham, Maine. The Market will be held Friday afternoons from 3pm to 7pm and Saturday Mornings from 8am-12noon B. The 2008 market will open for the season on June 20, 2008 and will close on November 1, 2008. 3. DUES: A. Dues are collected to cover market expenses, such as insurance, space rental, signage and advertising. Annual Dues will be a nonrefundable $100 payable with your yearly membership application on or before April 15, 2008. 4. SETTING UP AT MARKET: A. In order to reduce conflict between members and to avoid any disorientation of customers, each member will be assigned a table by the Vice President at the beginning of the season. Members are expected to respect this arrangement and set up in their allocated space. If a member is not in attendance for a market day, adjacent vendors may move into the space to fill in the hole and maintain the continuity of the market. If a members absence becomes routine, their space may be permanently reallocated so that continuity is maintained at the market. B. All vendors will have signs that display their name and address in a prominent manner every day they are at market. All displays should be neat and tasteful. No items are to be hung on the walls. C. Maintenance by members of a clear walkway for customers to move from one vendor to another without obstruction is important and will be enforced. D. Only one vehicle per member is allowed in the designated vendor parking spots. It is suggested that if a member does not require active use of their vehicle during the market (for restocking displays or storing goods), that their vehicle be parked in another nearby area until reloading the vehicle at the close of the market. This will ensure an adequate number of parking spots for customers and will increase the visibility of the market. E. A State Scale Inspector may visit the market during the season to check the accuracy of members’ scales. F. Individual farmers are responsible for obtaining approval to accept WIC and food stamps, if they choose. G. Bathroom facilities are available during business hours in the Merrymeeting Grange Hall. The Vice President will assign duties to each member to assure that the Grange is cleaned and stocked prior to end of the market. 5. Agri-Crafts or Non-Food Items A. Items which are made from a majority of materials which are produced using farm products or coming from animals are considered Agri-Crafts. The sale of Agri-Crafts will be allowed if:
6. PROCESSED FOODS: A. All producers of home processed items such as maple syrup, honey, jams, jellies, relishes, baked goods, and home canned goods are required by Maine law to obtain the proper licenses from the Maine Department of Agriculture. A copy of all applicable licenses and insurance must be displayed at the vendor’s stand at all times, and photocopies shall be given to the Vice President for reference. 7. 100% Farmer Produced A. In order to assure the freshest and highest quality produce at the Bowdoinham Farmers’ Market, and to assure customers they are dealing directly with the farmer and not with peddlers, market members must produce 100% of items they sell. The stand may be staffed with an immediate family member or employee. Employees may be employed by more than one farm and sell products for multiple vendors. 8. PRODUCT PRICING & REPRESENTATION: A. Any attempt to mislabel items for sale will be considered an attempt to defraud the public, and may result in expulsion from the market. 9. PERSONAL CONDUCT & PRESENTATION: A. Members should present themselves in an appropriate manner, dress and state of cleanliness. Shirts and shoes must be worn. No dogs are allowed inside the Grange. B. Members should behave in a cooperative manner towards other members, especially when a customer has a complaint or is asking to return a nonsatisfactory item. C. Hawking or calling out to attract buyers is not permitted. D. Consumption of alcoholic beverages by vendors at the market is prohibited. 10. PICKING UP: A. General cleanliness of the market area is everyone’s responsibility. It assures customers a pleasant place to shop, and keeps us on good terms with the Grange. This includes picking up your own area while selling and making certain the entire market area is clean before you leave. The Vice President will be responsible for assigning duties to members to assure that the hall and surrounding including parking areas are clean after the market. 11. PARTNERSHIPS: A. With approval of the Executive Board, two business entities may join forces in order to form a partnership to share space at the market and split membership dues. However, if two entities share one market space, then the partnership is allowed only one vote and is considered one member. 12. VIOLATION OF THE RULES: A. Upon determination that market rules have been violated, the offender will be given a verbal warning. Further violations will be brought before the Board, which, after due consideration of the full Board, may enforce corrective action or cancel the offender’s membership to the market, with forfeiture of dues. Any member may, and should, inform the President or any Executive Board member of any failure to comply with the market rules. 13. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: A. These rules may be temporarily modified to address unanticipated circumstances not herein covered. Any modification will be made only after a majority vote of the full membership (polling by phone, mail and/or e-mail is permissible), and shall state the reason and the specific duration of the modification. Revised 3-15-08 |
