Pittsfield Farmers' Market 
Market Rules for the 2000 season.
[Due to be updated for the 2001 season.]

These Market Rules are to be followed by all those who participate in the Pittsfield
Farmers' Market.

1. ELIGIBILITY: All farmers, gardeners, bakers, and cooks who produce what they offer
for sale are eligible for membership in the market. No one will be accepted into the
market without a completed application.

	For the 2000 season, there is no deadline for joining the market. Late joiners,
however may not get their farms listed in the market's promotional brochure.

2. LOCATIONS AND TIMES: The location of the Pittsfield Farmers' Market will be at
Hathorn Park, at the corner of Park and Forest Streets, along the post fence. The market
will be officially open on Mondays and Thursdays from 2­6 pm from Monday, May 22 to
Monday, October 30. Days and times of attendance are up to each member, but regular
attendance is good for your business.

3. DUES: The dues come in two parts, annual and daily. 

	Annual Dues: A non-refundable annual dues of $25 is payable with your application.
Checks may be made payable to "Pittsfield Farmers' Market" and mailed to the Market
Treasurer Tom Roberts, 3645 Snakeroot Rd., Pittsfield ME 04967.

	Daily Dues: For each day a member attends market, a Daily Dues of $2.00 will be
collected.

	The monies collected are for market expenses, primarily insurance and market
promotion.

4. HANDICRAFTS, PROCESSED FOOD, SCALES: Handicrafts and like items may be sold provided
that the major portion of the members' display is farm products.

	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 state Scale Inspector may visit the market during the season to check the
accuracy of your scales.

5. NO-BUY RULE: In order to assure the freshest and highest quality produce at the
farmers' market, and to assure customers they are dealing directly with the farmers and
not with peddlers, market member must sell only products they themselves grow or make.
Buying products for resale at market will not be allowed, except from another member
attending market that day. "Ghost" members (growers who themselves do not attend, but
join the market for the sole purpose of supplying another market member) are not
allowed. Items offerred for sale must be fresh and of high quality. Remember, YOU ARE
THE FARMERS' MARKET, and the reputation and success of the market and of your farm
depend upon what you offer for sale.

	Farm visits by member volunteers will be made as needed to assure a member's
production of what is being offered for sale. Please include a map and/or directions to
your farm on the back of the application form.

6. SIGNS All farmers will have signs that display their name and address in a prominent
manner every day they are at market.

7. SETTING UP AT MARKET:
	General: All displays should be neat and tasteful. Only one vehicle per member
allowed to set up at one time. Setup is on a first come, first serve basis.

	Customer Walkways: Maintainance by members of a clear walkway for customers to move
from one vendor to another without obstruction is important and will be enforced by the
market manager.

	Spacing of vehicles: Members must park their vehicles in a safe and space-efficient
manner. Generally it works best to leave enough space between your setup and the next
members so that customers do not become confused as to whose goods are whose. An
exception to this is when two members wish to set up one large display for any reason,
such as sharing a canopy. There is no maximum allowed distance between members, but
remember that many customers often will not want to walk an extra distance to a lone
display. (over)

	Space Restrictions: From time to time during the season, space restrictions may
require the market manager to direct that less space than usual be taken up by each
member. This will most often be due to an anticipated exceptionally high attendance by
members, such as in late August or early September. Your co-operation at such times is
appreciated.

	No overnight Parking is allowed by market members in the locations used for setup.
Any disabled vehicle must be removed from the immediate setup area by the end of the
market day.

8. PRESENTATION: Members should present themselves in an appropriate manner, dress and
state of cleanliness. Shirts must be worn. The market manager may mention to members if
their appearance or manner could be deemed offensive to customers. Members should behave
in a co-operative manner toward other members.

9. ALCOHOL: Consumption of alcoholic beverages by members at the market is prohibited.

10. PICKING UP: 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 town.
This includes picking up your own area while selling and making certain the area is
clean before you leave.

11. HAWKING: No "hawking", or calling out to attract buyers to your goods, is permitted.


These rules have been adapted from the rules of other markets where they have been
developed in co-operation with many farmers' market members for over a decade. Their
purpose is to keep the high standards our members and customers have come to expect.
Members are encouraged to help out with the operation of the market.


ANNUAL MEETING: 
There will be an annual meeting in November soon after the close of the market season.
This meeting will discuss how the members feel the market season went, and what changes
are needed for next year. Decisions about how the market operates are made by the market
members, so your participation in this meeting is important. The floor is open to all
members to bring up whatever subjects they wish to have the meeting consider. Although
various market members have informal conversations throughout the season, the Annual
Meeting is the formal method by which decisions are made and member needs affect the
operation of the market for the coming year. We look forward to discussing with you at
market any aspect of the market operation, and hope to see everyone at the Annual
Meeting in November.