THE BELLEVUE FARMERS MARKET GUIDELINES
The Bellevue Farmers Market 2023 season will operate on Thursdays from May 4th through October 26, 4pm to 7pm. The market takes place rain or shine at Red Caboose Park located at 656 Colice Jeanne Road.
The BFM reserves the right to photograph and video tape the BFM for the purposes of using said images for city promotions, sponsorships and/or fundraising.
GENERAL RULES
All vendors must comply and operate within the guidelines of The Bellevue Farmers Market Guidelines, the application, and the signed contract. Vendors must meet Health Department codes, as applicable.
ELIGIBLE VENDORS
Farm/Producers This category includes produce, baked goods, canned goods, cheese, honey, bread, CBD, and the like. All products sold by farms/producers must be grown, raised, or produced within the Tennessee Valley region. Vendors must grow or make the product they intend to sell. Vendor insurance is required.
Artisans Artisan vendors offer market shoppers a variety of unique crafts and collectables, including candles, pottery, ironwork, clothing, jewelry, handbags, stained glass, original artwork, photography, wood items, and many more products. Artisan vendors are accepted based on creativity, uniqueness, variety, space availability, and branding. Vendor insurance is not required but is recommended.
SCHEDULE
- Full Season Weekly Vendor – Attends weekly for 26 weeks.
- Full Season Custom Vendor – (Bi-weekly or Once a month). Schedule is determined prior to the start of the season.
- Seasonal – Attends market only when product is in season.
- Visiting – No set schedule. Must request to attend by 1pm the Tuesday before the Thursday market. Spots are subject to availability and will be confirmed shortly after you submit the request. Requests MUST be submitted by email.
TARDINESS/NO SHOW
Vendors must attend on scheduled dates. Failure to attend the market on ones committed date(s) has a negative impact on the market: patrons impression of the market, word of mouth publicity, market vendor peers, and marketing efforts. BFM reserves the right to terminate any participant for non-compliance of The Bellevue Farmers Market Guidelines at any time.
BOOTH INFORMATION
Booth spaces are generally a 10’x10’ area. Larger farms/producers may use an additional tent at no additional charge. Vendors must supply their own tents (tents are required), tables, displays, chairs, etc. There is no electricity available at the market. You may use a small generator – loud generators are not allowed. Weekly vendors will generally be in the same location at the market.
All tents must be tied down with at least 5 lbs of weight for each corner. Cement blocks are not permitted due to tripping hazards and aesthetic reasons. Tent stakes are also encouraged in conjunction with weights. Vendors are responsible for any damage caused to cars, and/or patrons in the event their tent is blown by wind or storms.
All vendors must display signage or banners that clearly state the name of the business and origin of the product. Subletting of space is prohibited. If you provide samples of your product, you must also provide trash receptacles for any refuse it may create.
VENDOR DECORUM
Booth spaces and products should be attractively displayed and business conducted in an orderly and appropriate manner. Shouting or other objectionable means of soliciting trade will not be tolerated. No vending beyond your assigned space. No profanity, abusive conduct, booth/space sharing or resale of space (unless approved by the BFM management team prior to participation at the Market). Radios may be played for your own personal use but not in a manner that disturbs neighbors or patrons during market hours. No smoking or pets allowed during Market hours.
FEES
Booth fees are 10% of total sales and will be collected at the close of the market. Fees are capped at $50.00 (Example, if you have $700 in total sales, booth fee will be $50.00)
WEATHER
The market will be held rain or shine. In the event of severe storms, the market may be cancelled. All vendors will be contacted via EMAIL, and the public will be notified by social media, email and our website. BFM management will try to make the call as early as possible in order to give everyone proper notice.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Each vendor is responsible for following all state and federal regulations that govern the production, labeling, sampling, or safety of the product the vendor has for sale at the market. Failure to comply may result in the revocation of rights to sell at the market.
All processed foods must comply with all applicable state and federal health and safety regulations. A copy of the commercial kitchen or domestic kitchen statement must be displayed in the booth at all times. Proper labeling must be used on all packaging.
MARKET SETUP & TAKE DOWN
Vendors are required to be setup and be ready to sell no later than 3:45pm. Vendors will are NOT allowed to sell prior to the official market opening. This being put into place for the 2023 season for safety reasons and to reduce the chances of shoppers being on the market field as vehicles are moving/unloading.
Vendors are required to stop selling at the official close of the market. All vendors must leave their selling area clean and free of any trash, boxes, or product. If the market has to clean up after you, you will be charged a fee of $15 that must be paid before you will be allowed to sell at the market again.
Vendors are required to stay at the market until it closes even if they have sold out. Any vendor that moves barriers that are blocking vehicle entrance or drives a vehicle into the market area prior to the market closing may be subject to immediate dismissal from the market. This is a public safety issue and is also a violation of the vendor agreement.
Exceptions may be made on a case by case basis, but must be approved prior to taking down your booth. Vendors are required to be packed up and loaded no later than 45 minutes after the market closes.
ADDITIONAL
- Pricing of goods sold at the BFM is the responsibility of the vendor. To maintain the integrity of the marketplace, items should be priced at a fair market value. Dishonest, fraudulent, and deceptive merchandising or collusion to set prices among vendors may be grounds for dismissal from the event, and also forfeiture of the right to conduct business at the BFM.
- Vehicles and trucks are only allowed in the market area for unloading/loading before and after the BFM is open. During the hours of operation and while the BFM is in progress, all vehicles must remain in the designated parking areas. They are not permitted as part of the booth.
- Vendors that bring small children to the market must insure that the conduct of the children is not disruptive to customers or other vendors.
- You may only sell items that you list on your application.
- Vendors may not bring domestic pets or other animals to the market. The sale of live animals is strictly prohibited.
- The BFM management has the authority to change the market hours on special occasions.