Vendor Rules & Regulations

NEW RULES FROM THE STATE OF MICHIGAN.

The rules have changed for Farmers Markets across the State of Michigan. We will be able to open on a limited basis to begin the season.  By limited, we can have vendors selling products according to the following guidelines, established by the Michigan Farm Market Association and State of Michigan:

STEPS FARMERS MARKET VENDORS SHOULD TAKE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND CONSUMERS:

  • Do not attend the market if you are not feeling well or have been exposed to Covid 19.
  • Limit the types of vendors that can facilitate in-person sales to only those selling essential items which consist of food, personal hygiene products, pet food/treats, and plants and gardening items.
  • Vendors selling essential items may also sell non-essential items if the sale of such items does not require any additional measures.
  • Vendors selling only non-essential items, such as cut flowers and craft items, may not attend the market for in-person sales at this time, but may facilitate sales through remote sales and curbside pick-up.
  • Eliminate all non-essential areas and activities such as music, seating areas, special events, and children’s activities.
  • Suspend all product sampling and cooking demonstrations.
  • Mark the ground around booths with items such as tape, chalk, driveway markers, or traffic cones to instruct customers to distance themselves at least 6 feet apart while they are waiting in line.
  • Limit the number of customers who can be in the market at one time in order to ensure that everyone within the market is able to maintain proper social distancing- 6 feet of space between people.
  • Do not attend the market if you have a compromised immune system and/or are not feeling well.
  • Ensure that all employees have access to a mask or face covering. Masks should be worn in any enclosed space by anyone who is able to medically tolerate wearing a mask and whenever you are interacting with customers.
  • Develop a daily screening policy that identifies and prevents employees from attending the market if they display respiratory symptoms or have had contact with a person with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19.
  • Sanitize your market equipment and containers. Look to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations for guidance.
  • Have a handwashing station (preferred) or hand sanitizer at your booth and use it often.
  • Pre-package all items before coming to the market as applicable.
  • Clearly and legibly post product lists with prices so that customers can distance themselves from you and your booth and still see what you have to offer.
  • Set up your booth in a way that minimizes/eliminates a customer’s ability to touch your products. For example, set up a table in front of you with a product list and a table behind you with the product. Customers can tell you what product(s) they want, and you can get it for them.
  • Put less product out for display and restock more often.
  • Staff your booth with two people with distinct roles where one person handles the currency transaction with the customer while a second person handles the product. These two individuals should maintain their distinct roles and wash their hands if/when they switch between the task of handling currency versus handling product.
  • Only use market table covers that can be sanitized throughout the market day, such as plastic or vinyl.
  • Minimize cash transactions and round prices to the nearest dollar to reduce the need to exchange coins.
  • During the market, routinely clean and disinfect “high touch” items such as tables, cash boxes, and touch screens on point-of-sale devices.

Beaverton Farmers Market  – Ross Lake

May 28, 2020 – September 3, 2020

  1. This market is for Michigan resident growers and producers of Michigan produce only. Resident grower/producer is further defined as a person or persons who manage the daily farm operation or production of their goods.
  2. Produce is further defined as plant and animal products grown or raised on a Michigan farm, orchard, garden, greenhouse or forest. Produce include, but not limited to fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, foliage and flowering plants, herbs, mushrooms.
  3. Value-added agricultural products include, but not limited to baked foods, jams/jellies, honey, maple syrup, apple cider and other fruit juices, cheese, soaps, oils, hand crafted items from home grown plants and animals.
  4. Arts and Crafts offered for sale must have been made or assembled by the vendor. Arts and crafts stall availability will be determined by the Market Manager.
  5. All produce for sale must be of good quality and grown/produced in Michigan. A minimum of at least 50% of the different produce items offered for sale on a daily basis must have been grown or raised by the vendor. A vendor selling purchased product may be required to prove items are Michigan grown/produced.
  6. All produce that is not grown/produced by the vendor will need a sign stating where the item was grown/raised. (i.e.-Bay City Melons).
  7. All value-added products offered for sale must be created or produced in Michigan. A vendor selling purchased product may be required to prove items were produced in Michigan.
  8. Any washing of fruit and vegetables must be done prior to the arrival at the market. The Market Manager has the right to examine all produce for spoilage or damage and has the authority to prohibit the vendor from selling damaged or unfit products.
  9. Vendors are required to meet all applicable rules and regulations of the State of Michigan and Federal laws. Please check with MDA (Ml Dept of Agriculture) for required licensing of your products. Attach a copy of your license to your applications, if applicable. Products must be properly labeled if required (ie. Cottage Food Law).
  10. Vendors must be set up and ready for sales prior to the opening time of the market (3:45 pm). It is also requested that vendors not pack items or remove their booths before the end of the market times.
  11. Vendor fees will be assessed. The full season (14 market days), is $65. You will not be required to attend all days, but will be required to notify the market manager 24-hours prior if absent. Daily vendor fee is $7.00.
  12. The Market Manager shall make assignment of all stall spaces. Vendors are responsible for bringing their own tables, chairs, and tent/awnings. Vendors will also need to provide any and all Personal Protection Equipment necessary to sell at this Farmers Market during the Covid-19 situation (i.e. Face mask and/or shields, hand washing station or hand sanitizer, etc).
  13. Vendors are not allowed to trade, lease, sell or otherwise manipulate their assigned stall without prior approval of the Market Manager. An employee of the vendor is allowed to manage sales at the Market. The employee must be 16 years of age or older.
  14. All vendors are required to visibly display product prices, vendor’s name or farm name if applicable, farm or production location including a name of city, and all required licenses or permits if applicable.
  15. Product prices should include a description of size (unit, pint, quart, peck, bushel, basket, bunch, etc. or weight in pounds).
  16. The sale of live animals is not allowed.
  17. Vendors are encouraged maintain a minimum product liability insurance of $1,000,000. Ross Lake-Beaverton Farmers Market assumes no liability for injuries or damage incurred by vendors or shoppers arising out of the conduct or participation of the market vendors, their employees, or representatives.
  18. Vendors shall at all times conduct themselves in a pleasant and courteous manner with all customers and other vendors. Disruptive, rude, and/or vulgar behavior will not be tolerated. Vendors shall be dressed appropriately-Neat & Clean-for the market. The image you present to your customers reflects on our market and all vendors.
  19. Each vendor must clean up and remove the debris around his or her stall at the end of each Market day. Any and all vendor generated waste, rubbish, or trash must leave the market with the vendor. Failure to comply may result in the violating vendor billed a minimum of a $50.00 clean up fee.
  20. Vendors will not be allowed to distribute Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) pickups.
  21. The Market Manager will have full charge of enforcing all Market regulations. Vendors not complying may be suspended from the Market for the day or the season. Fees paid will not be returned.
  22. Complaints or appeals concerning the actions of the Market Manager must be made in writing to: Beaverton Farmers Market-Ross Lake Beaverton, Ml 48612.
  23. The Beaverton Farmers Market-Ross Lake is a tobacco, drug and alcohol free environment.
  24. We are set up to accept Project Fresh and Senior Project Fresh coupons this year. Click here to Learn More about Project Fresh!