Guest Vending at a 2012 Seacoast Growers’ Association Farmers’ Market

WHAT TO KNOW:

• Make your own: All vendors must grow/raise/catch/make what they sell at our markets. No re-selling is permitted.
• York, Rockingham, Strafford counties: Our bylaws require that all products be made within these three counties. If you live locally but make your product in a different county, that does not qualify.
• Licensing: Prepared foods must be made in a licensed and inspected kitchen.
• Insurance: Proof of liability insurance is required. It is not available through SGA. Simply inquire with your insurance agent to purchase liability insurance for farmers’ markets.
• Complement, not compete: We cannot schedule guest vendors whose products compete with those of our own vendors at the desired market. In other words, if we already have one jeweler at a small market, we would not likely book a second guest jeweler for the same market.
• Volume: Our markets can get very busy! We cannot make any promises about attendance or sales, but please be aware that vending with us is not necessarily for the casual hobbyist. That said, if you’d like to dip your feet into the waters of the farmers’ markets, please first consider Dover, Durham and Hampton markets.
• Supplies: Vendors must bring their own tents, approved scales (if applicable) and other booth supplies.
• Maximum: 6 markets (any combination of locations) per season for guest vendors.
• Chances: The Portsmouth (Saturday) and Exeter (Thursday) markets are very full, so please be advised that it’s unlikely we will have space for guest vendors at these markets. Please also be aware that the guest vendor list is long, and we can offer no guarantee that approved guest vendors will be called on at any point during the season. That said, chances will be greater in the early and later parts of the season, which runs from May to November.
• Cost: Stall fees are $6 for each weekday market, $21 for each Saturday market, both payable on the day you attend as a guest vendor. Cash or checks only.
• Next Steps: If it looks good so far, keep reading to find out what to do next!

WHAT TO DO:

• Sign up: Sign up for our e-newsletter from our home page to get a sense of our markets and keep up-to-date on guest vendor or membership application deadlines. When you sign up, check that you’re interested in becoming a vendor. More specific information will be emailed as it becomes available.
• Jury: Since we are in the process of hiring a new Portsmouth Market Manager, Please check back to find updated contact information in a few weeks. Once we have the new Manager in place, the next step will be to contact them and set up a time to show your wares. At that time, the Manager will walk you through the review process and what comes next, but you’ll find the basics below…
• Bring:
  • Samples of your product (not pictures, please).
  • Proof of insurance.
  • For prepared food vendors: Bring a copy of your current kitchen license and inspection documents.
• Find out: You’ll be notified on-the-spot if you are approved. There is no application, but a board member from SGA will collect your contact information. More specifics about timing, etc. will be available at that time.
• Read: Our Rules and Regulations are available from the Resources page of our website. Please be sure to read them, as they do apply to guest vendors. If you do not have Internet access, please inquire with a Market Manager.
• For Portsmouth and Exeter: Guest vendors will be contacted if there is room at either of these markets. Please do not call to inquire.
• For Dover, Durham and Hampton: Please contact the Market Manager for each market that you would like to attend to apprise them of your interest and availability. Dover: Celeste Gingras, (603) 692-4511; Durham: Davyanne Dippold, davyanned@aol.com, (603) 285-2707; Hampton: Greg Balog, (603) 793.1248.
• Stay tuned: If you’re on our email list, keep your eyes peeled for information about our yearly membership application, usually due March 1.

Good luck, and thank you for your interest in our Farmers’ Markets!