Market Rules

of the

Newport Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market Association

[ adopted 15-Mar-2008, revised 13-Jun-2011, updated July 2012 ]

1. LOCATION AND TIME:

a. The Newport Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market is held in front of the Newport Public Works Garage, next to the Police Station, on Water Street, Newport, ME.

b. The Market is officially open every Saturday from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm from mid May until late October.

c. The Market will be held rain or shine.

d. Dates, times, and locations may vary from year to year as decided by the membership.

2. MEMBERSHIP:

a. All new members are subject to the approval of the current voting membership or a committee appointed by the membership.

b. Application for membership is open to all Maine farmers, gardeners, bakers, cooks, fishermen, and artisans providing that the applicant produces what they offer for sale.

c. New applications will be reviewed during a meeting of the membership following the application deadline. This meeting is part of the application process new applicants must attend the meeting for their application to be considered.

d. Applications submitted by prospective members will be voted upon when there is sufficient space to allow an additional vendor. If there is no space available, a waiting list will be maintained.

e. All continuing members will complete applications annually. Those who join by the deadline will retain their preferred setup position.

3. ATTENDANCE:

a. Members are expected to stay until close of market on each market day unless they are “sold out”.

b. Members shall arrive to their location with enough time prior to the opening of the market to be set up and ready for business by 9:00 am.

c. Members are encouraged to attend all pre-season business meetings.

d. Members are encouraged to participate in all Market activities.

e. If a member is unable to attend the market, their products may be sold by a representative of their choice.

4. DUES:

a. Dues include annual and daily dues, and are not refundable.

b. Annual dues of $30 shall be submitted with the membership application before April 15. If submitted after April 15, the fee is raised to $40. Checks shall be made payable to the Newport Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market and mailed to the Treasurer. This address shall be designated on the Application and updated when necessary.

c. A $3 daily fee will be collected by the Market Manager or designee every day a member attends market.

5. STALLS:

a. The number of available spaces will be determined annually by the membership.

b. Members are limited to one vehicle/booth per market.

c. Members will set up in a designated site as established by the Market Manager, maintaining a straight line without large gaps between vendors. If a member cannot attend a market day, the attending members will move accordingly to use market space efficiently.

d. Members are expected to maintain a neat and tasteful display. Each member is required to clean up his/her space at the end of the market day. Trash is carry-in, carry-out.

e. No part of any member's set-up or display shall obstruct a walkway or otherwise become a hazard.

6. PRODUCTS:

a. All products, which include but are not limited to: vegetables, seedlings, herbs, preserves, fresh-cut and dried flowers, meats, poultry, seafood, dairy products, crafts, etc., sold at the Newport Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market must be made by the member with the following exception: Members may arrange to sell specific Maine grown or Maine-made products with prior approval of the majority of the members as long as theses products do not exceed 10% of the goods offered for sale and are a product void at the Market.

b. “Bought-in” goods may not compete against other member-produced goods of the same kind, unless consumer demand is not being met, and must be labeled to indicate where it was produced.

c. Returning members wishing to bring new items must so state on their annual applications for review by the membership. Those wishing to introduce new products after the beginning of the season must notify members offering similar products and obtain membership approval.

d. Farm visits by member volunteers will be made as needed to ensure a member’s production of what is being offered for sale. Every new member will have a farm visit. Also, one third of the membership will be visited each year to build neighborliness and to keep up to date with members changing and expanding products.

7. APPLICABLE STATE LICENSES AND REGULATIONS:

a. Knowledge of and compliance with all state regulations, permits and licenses regarding the production, labeling, display and sale of all products at the Newport Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market is the responsibility of the individual member.

8. PRESENTATION:

a. Members should present themselves in an appropriate manner and dress.

b. There will be no alcohol consumption or any smoking on the Market premises by any member.

c. There will be no unsportsmanlike conduct and no hawking of products.

d. Members must display farm or business names and addresses in a prominent manner each market day.

e. Members will provide some means of posting prices of all products offered for sale.

9. NON-COMPLIANCE:

a. When two or more members on any market day believe that the selling practices of another member are detrimental to the Market, they may ask the Market Manager to address the issue with the offending member.

b. If the situation cannot be resolved by the Market Manager, a special meeting of the membership shall be called. A majority of those present at that special meeting may require that the detrimental practices be changed to conform to membership standards.

c. A membership may be revoked by a majority vote of the members for the following reasons:

1. Failure to conform to membership standards when a detrimental practice has been identified and the membership has outlined appropriate changes in the members’ conduct.

2. Exhibiting a poor attitude which disrupts the market. This includes market days and/or meetings of the membership.

3. Infractions of the Market By-Laws and/or Rules.

10. MARKET PROPERTY:

a. Property of the Market may include signs, banners, and other equipment. The use and storage of this property will be determined by the membership.

b. Members may be asked to set up and take down any and all aforementioned property on a daily basis, or in any other manner that the membership deems appropriate.