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Carbondale
Farmers’ Market
Vendor Guidelines
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Vendors and product lines are juried by the board with the
objective of meeting, as much as possible and within reason, the following
criteria. No single nor set of
criteria entitles inclusion in the Carbondale Farmers’ Market:
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Agricultural origin
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The purpose of a farmers’ market is to provide a venue for the
sale of agricultural products. Hand
crafted artisan goods are a secondary enhancement of market offerings. Vendors
that utilize farm sourced raw materials will have priority for limited
artisan/craft spaces in the market.
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Direct Marketing
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Farmer/Artisan to Retail Customer Transactions
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We honor the expectation that consumers are buying directly from
farmers, food and beverage crafters and artisans. If
the farmer cannot be present at the market (farmers also need to farm), the
stand should be staffed by family, farm workers or persons who are involved in
production and are able to explain and answer questions about the place where
the food grows, how it is grown and the people who do the work.
The same principles apply for artisans and crafters.
o
Experience included
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Produce in a supermarket is a commodity –it’s origin and
distinguishing character (it’s experience)
is obscured so that it may be purchased at the lowest possible cost and sold as if it were the best available. The
lowest possible cost is a price that
is economically sustainable only for large scale industrial farms, insufficient
to maintain the vitality of farms and ranches that are part of the local
community.
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Produce grown locally is a manifestation of the local weather and
the work of people whose lives are shaped by a close relationship with the
natural world surrounding the community. Buying
produce direct from a farmer provides a connection to the food’s natural
source that is valuable. Customers
are willing to pay for experience, especially if they are convinced that their
purchase helps sustain the local farm economy.
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Local
o
The ideal is that the farmers are members of the local community,
citizens that are met at social events and in day to day business in town.
The reality of a short growing season and conversion of local
agricultural lands undermines the viability of full time growing of fresh
produce. Including the lower
Gunnison and Colorado River valleys in its food basin provides
Carbondale
with farms and ranches that anchor the farmers’ market with reliable, season
long supplies of fresh produce.
o
In choosing vendors for the market, there is an order of
preference for the home of the business:
1.
Centered on
Carbondale
2.
Roaring
Fork
Valley
3.
Colorado
and
Gunnison
River Basins
4.
Western Slope
5.
Colorado
o
Food and beverage crafters and artisans are expected to follow
this same local guideline in sourcing raw ingredients and materials for product.
In particular, produce from
Carbondale
farmers’ market vendors should be utilized in some menu offerings of ready to
eat food.
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Best quality
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Fresh
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Farmers’ market customers expect and deserve produce with less
handling and time between harvest and purchase.
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Consistency and reliability
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Consistent availability of produce leads to return customers that
count on the farmers’ market to supply produce needs.
These customers are the foundation for the farmers’ market economy.
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Vital
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Our farmers and ranchers are predominantly organic operations, and
are certified. This is not a
requirement, but we have an expectation that all of our farmers are considerate
of environmental and health impacts of their management practices, and can
convey this to customers.
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Diversity and choice in offerings
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A wide range of agricultural produce is essential criteria for a
successful farmers’ market with a supportive customer base. Our
goal is to offer
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Vegetables
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Fruit
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Meat
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Dairy
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Flowers
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Baked goods
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Crafted, shelf-stable food and beverages
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In addition, we recognize that farmers’ markets are enhanced by
the inclusion of
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Ready to eat prepared foods
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Artisan crafts
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Music and entertainment
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Children’s activities
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Criteria for these enhancements follow the same principles as for
our farmers and ranchers.
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The farmers’ market may or may not have multiple vendors in the
same product category. The desirable
goal of offering customers a choice of growers of the same produce is tempered
by the limits of physical space and volume of business for the weekly market.
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Vendors may, with board approval, offer for sale product not
produced by their own farm, kitchen or studio.
Such product must be clearly identified, and shall not exceed 20% of
gross sales. (Display space shall
also be confined limited to the same proportion.)
Vendors efforts to convey the experience
of such product should more than for their own produce.
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Integrity and civic responsibility
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It is critical that all parties of the farmers’ market show
respect for peers, customers and vendors alike. The
farmer’s market is a guest of the town. Providing considerate service to
customers and following all requirements of local and state government and
certifying agencies (e.g. sales tax,
health department) and all rules and regulations, directives and policies of the
farmers’ market management and board of directors is a requirement of all
vendors. Farmers’ market
management will also respond to disruptive patrons and visitors, as well as
unauthorized vendors and advocacy agents.
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The farmers’ market cultivates a reputation of integrity and
trust in our vendors. Evidence of
false statements given to farmers’ market management or its board, to
customers or to local officials is grounds for expulsion.
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