Thank you for your interest in the Searsport Farmers Market. This is our first year, so things are rather informal, and some decisions may be made throughout the summer. Please read the rules and regulations that we have decided upon, then bring the completed registration form with you to our meeting on May 1, 2003 at 6pm at the Public Safety Building or return it to Tammy Hartke, 108 Bog Hill Road, Searsport, ME 04974. If you have any questions, call Tammy at 323.0609. Hope to see you at the market this summer!
Searsport Farmers Market
Rules and Regulations
Adopted 9 April 2003
Purpose
The purpose of the Searsport Farmers Market is to provide marketing opportunities for local farmers and gardeners, provide fresh, affordable, local food to Searsport area residents, and encourage civic pride and a sense of community.
Products Eligible for Sale
All products to be sold at the Searsport Farmers Market must be grown, collected or produced by the seller, within 30 miles of Searsport.
Products bought for resale are not allowed.
Baked goods must be baked locally (within 30 miles of Searsport) and contain a minimum of 10% Maine ingredients.
Crafts, except those made from the vendors products and comprising less than 10% of their stand, are not to be sold at the Searsport Farmers Market. (For example, someone whose product was flowers could bring fresh and dried flowers to market, but wreaths made from those dried flowers could compose no more than 10% of their inventory at market.)
Individual vendors are responsible for complying with any governmental laws or regulations pertaining to their sales. Scales must be capable of passing state inspection.
Market Organization
The Searsport Farmers Market is organized and run by volunteers. All vendors are expected to provide some service in support of the market when asked.
Positions to be elected annually by the membership include:
Market Master (contact person, coordinator, troubleshooter, arrange vendors)
Treasurer (collects money and pays bills.)
Advertising/Publicity (coordinate press releases, community calendar items, etc)
Review/advisory board (to be determined after the first season of the farmers market)
Membership
Membership issues will be determined after the first season of the farmers market.
Fees
Fees are $5/day for nonSearsport residents. Residents of Searsport pay $3.
Fees are due for the first ten times a vendors sells at the market this year. Any additional days during this first season are free. Season passes may be available next year.
All fees are due upon arrival at the market.
Nonprofit organizations from Searsport only (ex.: Fire/EMS, Boy Scouts, Recreation Dept., Historical Society) pay $3/day fees. Nonprofits who want to participate in the market will be reviewed annually before being allowed to set up. Nonprofits must follow the all rules and regulations outlined here except the first three sentences under Products Eligible for Sale.
Market Information
The Searsport Farmers Market will be open Fridays 2pm 6pm. Setup may begin at 1pm.
The market will be located at the Public Safety Building.
The market will run from May to October, based on the availability of local produce.
Market spaces will be assigned at the membership meeting prior to the opening of the market, and thereafter by the market master. Regular vendors are given priority over occasional vendors. An effort will be made to accommodate vendors in the same spot week to week.
Market spaces are 10' x 10' (or whatever fits in the space will measure before 1 May meeting.)
No radios or pets will be allowed in the vendors stands.
Smoking is in designated areas only.
Vendors must use trash and compost containers for all waste or take it home.
Vendors must identify themselves with a prominently displayed sign bearing their name and address. All vendors must have signs displaying the prices of items offered for sale.
Hawking is not permitted.
Setup and cleanup
Vendors must leave their space as clean or cleaner than they found it.
Market master will assign tasks to be done in service of the market.
Searsport Farmers Market encourages vendors to donate to the local food pantry any unsold produce in good condition at the end of the market. A food pantry rep will be at the close of the market.
Other
Searsport Farmers Market reserves the right to visit growers farms to confirm that the products brought to market are their own. Visits will be set up at least 24 hours in advance.
Refusal to comply with the policies of the Searsport Farmers Market may lead to a vendor being barred from selling at the market.
Searsport Farmers Market
Vendor Registration
Name,Farm name
Address
,Phone
List the products you intend to bring to market:
Circle the dates you plan to be at market:
May 2 June 6 July 4 Aug 1 Sept 5 Oct 3
May 9 June 13 July 11 Aug 8 Sept 12 Oct 10 (Fling into Fall)
May 16 June 20 July 18 Aug 15 Sept 19 Oct 17
May 23 June 27 July 25 Aug 22 Sept 26 Oct 24
May 30 Aug 29 Oct 31
I have read and agree to abide by the rules of the market. I realize failure to do so may result in revocation of membership and attendance privileges.
Signature
Print name,Date