Product Guidelines:


-All products must be of good quality and of local origin, defined as being from Wallowa County first, then surrounding areas. Priority is given to products grown, raised, produced or gathered by the vendor in Wallowa and/or Union counties. It is expected that all or most of the produce will be grown by the vendor. Exceptions may be made for vendors offering produce not otherwise available at the market by permission of the Market Manager and/or Board. All produce not grown by the vendor must be from identifiable family farm(s) and its origin must be clearly signed. Information on growing practices should be available. Blanket brokering of produce is not allowed at the market.

-Market Manager and/or Board make the final decision on what may be sold at the market.

-Handmade crafts made by the vendor are eligible for the market. Arts and Crafts vendors must craft with their own hands the products they offer for sale. Used, flea-market goods, manufactured items, or commercial brand merchandise are not permitted at the market. We encourage crafts made from locally grown or gathered materials or having a connection to gardening or food. There must be some element of hand-crafting, up sourcing, or addition of a creative element to your product. All crafts must meet the approval of the Market Manager and/or Board. The market’s goal is to not exceed 75% craft vendors, but this may be necessary to guarantee a full market.

-Products which can be sold at the market include vegetables, fruits, berries, herbs, vegetable and flowering plants, nuts, cut flowers, eggs, honey, dairy products, meats, seafood, poultry and some value-added food items made by the vendor such as cheese, sausage, preserved goods, and baked goods. To check if you need a license to sell your goods, check out these websites: https://www.oregon.gov/oda/programs/FoodSafety/FSLicensing/Pages/AboutLicenses.aspx   and    https://www.oregon.gov/oda/programs/FoodSafety/FSLicensing/Pages/WithoutLicense.aspx
Home Baking Bill guidelines: https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/catalog/files/project/pdf/em9192.pdf

-The market gives preference to vegetable, herb plants and flowers started in Wallowa County.
Exceptions will be made for nursery products not generally cultivated in Wallowa County, but all plants and plant products should have a value-added element.

-The market gives preference to produce that is grown organically and sustainably.

-Processed foods including but not limited to bread, jams, jellies, pickles, pesto, salsa, dressings, sausage, cheeses, and baked goods are expected to be prepared in a licensed kitchen and to comply with all state laws and health regulations regarding the preparation and marketing of these foods. It is the responsibility of individual vendors to determine requirements for their products and to ensure that they are in compliance with county, state and federal regulations. Vendors are expected to have a significant role in the preparation of the food. Vendors selling products from an unlicensed kitchen under the Oregon Farm Direct exemption will be asked to sign a copy of the Farm Direct Rules as confirmation of their compliance.
Oregon Farm Direct Marketing Law:
https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/catalog/files/project/pdf/em9205.pdf

-All vendors are responsible for complying with state and county food safety requirements.

-If selling hot/cold food to-go, a copy of the server’s Food Handler’s certificate should be provided to the market manager at the market booth.

-Preference is given to those vendors using local products in their ingredients.
Vendor and Pricing Guidelines
 
-Vendors must apply annually and have all licenses and permits required by federal, state and local regulations, including insurance.

-All vendors must have their products approved by the Market Manager based on their vendor application and potential further discussion before they are allowed to sell.

-Vendors must consult the Market Manager about available space. The Market Manager has the final authority over assigning booth space. Priority is given to produce and returning season vendors. Drop-in vendors are assigned spaces on a first come, first served basis at the discretion of the Market Manager. Each vendor is responsible for notifying the Market Manager of any anticipated absences two days in advance of market day.

-Pricing of products must reflect retail prices. Underselling products at wholesale prices is not allowed. The market is a value-added center for local agriculture and a place for local growers to sell products for full value. Selling at wholesale prices defeats this purpose and compromises the value of the farmers market.

-Vendors are expected to abide by market guidelines and policies. If a conflict arises wherein a vendor is not in compliance with market guidelines or policies, you may receive a reminder of the rules, and then we will use the following three step procedure: verbal warning, written warning, asked to not return. Thank you for your cooperation.


Booth/Stand Guidelines

-Each vendor is responsible for bringing everything needed for the stand including table, chairs, etc., as well as the setup and take down of the stand at the beginning and end of the market.

-Each vendor must provide signage that identifies the booth and all products. Vendors should also display a sign indicating if they accept WIC/FDNP vouchers and SNAP/EBT benefits. Ask the manager if you sell food and need more information about any supplemental programs.

-A canopy is recommended but not required. If a canopy is used, the vendor is required to tether all four corners of the canopy frame with weights heavy enough to withstand strong wind gusts (e.g. sand bags, buckets filled with rocks, etc). Use of bricks, pegs or stakes is insufficient. This is to ensure the safety of all market vendors, staff, customers and townsfolk.

-Setup for the Saturday market must be completed by market opening at 9am. All vehicles must be removed from Market area by 8:30 a.m.

-All vendors are restricted from parking in nearby the allies.

-Takedown for the Saturday market begins at 2 p.m.

-Each vendor is responsible for packing out their own trash; please avoid using city trash cans if possible. Make sure there is no trash left behind after takedown.

-Vendors are to leave booths set up for the entire market even if product sells out. Packing up early gives patrons the mistaken impression that the market is over for the other vendors.

-To maintain a fair market environment for all vendors and patrons, we discourage early sales. Making a sale 5-10 minutes early is acceptable. Vendors are encouraged to place special orders with other vendors if they anticipate purchasing significant amounts of their product as to not disproportionately influence product availability at market.  

-Offering samples of farm produce to the public is encouraged. The following guidelines must be followed: samples must be prepared using sanitary methods; convenience items such as toothpicks and napkins must be supplied as needed; samples must be kept in clean containers; waste disposal containers must be provided; and samples must be free. When samples are provided, an adequate handwashing station must be present in the same booth, as required by state law. Please find the details of food safety guidelines as well as what constitutes a suitable handwashing station here:
https://farmersmarketcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/ODA_Food_Safety_Guidelines.pdf 
 

Market Fees

-The market charges an annual membership fee of $25 which is non-negotiable and non-refundable and a booth fee which help meet general operating expenses including compensating a market manager, advertising, market events and promotion, SNAP/EBT fees and general liability insurance for the market.
Vendors have 2 options for paying:
1. Paying $400 for the full season up front with a 20% discount;
3. Drop-in basis, week to week for $25 each market day, $475 for all dates no discount

The market does not charge a percentage of vendor sales. Vendors will receive any reimbursement checks for SNAP and other supplemental programs once a month, or by mail to the address on application at the end of the market season.
 

Policy

-The WCFM welcomes all persons, including applicants and employees, to the market regardless of age, gender, gender identity, disability, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status. Any action that is not in keeping with a welcoming environment (assault, harassment, and intimidation) will not be tolerated by the organization. Any violation of this policy should be immediately reported to the market manager and/or board. Any person exhibiting behavior that is unwelcoming will be asked to leave the market immediately.

-Any vendor who exhibits unwelcoming behavior may be suspended or banned from the market, at the discretion of the market manager.