Please review our market requirements below before proceeding to the application.

Our goal is to create markets that support the local food economy. Our markets feature a diverse array of high-quality, locally grown and produced foods. We strive to ensure that our markets are accessible to all segments of the population and specifically locate many of our markets in neighborhoods that do not currently have access to fresh, affordable vegetables and food.

In order to maintain the integrity of our markets, we enforce the below rules:

COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOL: Farm Fresh Rhode Island will require all vendors to read and sign the Covid-19 Safety Plan developed for each farmers' market. The safety plans will be distributed after vendors have been accepted and confirmed. Safety plans will be developed with guidance from CDC and the Rhode Island Department of Health and may change throughout the course of the market season. Vendors will be required to wear face-covering at all times.

FRESH PRODUCE, HONEY, MAPLE SYRUP, EGGS, MEAT, AND FLOWERS: Over the course of the farmers market season, 80% of what you sell must be grown on your own farm. 100% must be sourced from farms in RI, MA, or CT. We require the display of the farm and state origins of the purchased food. Farm Fresh reserves the right to inspect participating farms on the basis of quality control inspection in its sole discretion during the 2021 Summer calendar season. By participating in the Farm Fresh Summertime Markets you hereby consent to such quality control inspections. A committee, composed of Farm Fresh staff and farmers from the community, will organize the farm visits. We expect to be able to visit your operation within 14 days of request. Farm Fresh reserves the right to suspend or terminate any participating farms for violation of or non-compliance with the Farm Fresh rules and quality measures. On rare occasions, there may be an exception determined by Farm Fresh staff based on regional availability of products.

PREPARED FOODS: Prepared foods must be licensed by the Rhode Island Department of Health. Vendors must utilize at least three ingredients produced on a farm in RI, MA, or CT in their product line. We require the display of the farm and state origins for the locally sourced ingredients.

ARTISANAL PRODUCTS: All Farm Fresh markets are solely for food and agricultural products. We do not accept art and craft vendors. Only food products crafted in RI, MA or CT will be accepted. Preference will be given to products made with ingredients originating from small farms in New England. We require the display of the farm name and state origins for the locally sourced ingredients.

HEMP AND CBD PRODUCTS: We currently only accept applications for topical products from returning vendors.

PRODUCT LIST COMPLIANCE: Farm Fresh Rhode Island reserves the right to perform a table audit with participating vendors at any time to ensure compliance with vendors' stated product list as presented in their original application. Vendors must seek permission from the Market Manager before adding new items to their stand.

PRODUCT INSURANCE & LICENSING: All vendors must carry product liability insurance and appropriate licensing from the RI Department of Health. Copies must be submitted prior to the first day of the market! Vendors will not be allowed to set up before these items are provided.

CERTIFICATION & FOOD SAFETY: Vendors must maintain all appropriate City and State licenses for their type of goods or food products, provide copies of such to Farm Fresh and have licenses in their booth at all times. As of February 2021, we will not allow sampling at our summer farmers markets. Vendors that serve any food samples that are not prepackaged must comply with state laws and regulations related to food service. Sampling requirements include hand sanitizer for the public, wearing of plastic gloves and providing a waste receptacle.

PRODUCT LABELING: All product labeling shall be truthful and accurate and adhere to the requirements set forth by the State of Rhode of Island. Any claims, such as organic, pesticide-free, gluten-free, free range, sugar-free, etc. must be substantiated. Any intentionally false claims shall be cause for immediate removal from the Market.

WEATHER POLICY: Markets go on rain or shine unless cancelled by site. Cancellation of a market due to severe weather is decided solely by the Market Manager. Vendors shall be notified via email or phone prior to market set-up time. No refunds will be given.

ATTENDANCE: Market attendance must be consistent. Absences must be based on seasonality of crops or produce. Prior notice of market absence is required. No refunds are provided for early drop-out from markets.

INDEMNIFICATION: Vendor shall indemnify and hold harmless FARM FRESH RHODE ISLAND from and against any and all liability, claims, demands, damages, expenses, fees, fines, penalties, suits, proceedings, actions and costs of actions (including all attorney’s fees), of any kind or nature arising out of or in any way connected with this Agreement or Vendor’s use of the space(s), sale of goods or conduct of business by Vendor, its agents, servants, employees, customers, patrons or invitees or any act or omission of Vendor, its agents, servants, employees, customers, patrons or invitees. Vendor is responsible for all monies collected from the sale of Vendor’s goods. Farm Fresh Rhode Island is in no way responsible for any lost or stolen monies or items. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of Rhode Island without regard to conflict of law principles and venue for any action arising from this Agreement shall be in Providence County, Rhode Island. This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by a writing signed by the parties.

TENT LIMIT: Some of our markets (Armory, Broad St.) have limited space for vendors. Therefore, the maximum number of tents permitted for one vendor is three tents (30 feet). If you need to take up more space, you will need to purchase an additional vendor spot. Please notify Farm Fresh if your space needs require adjustment throughout the season.

SUBMIT THIS APPLICATION by Friday March 12th, 2021. Vendors will be notified of their application status the week of April 5th, 2021 via email.

CRITERIA WE CONSIDER: In evaluating applications, we consider many criteria, including: product diversity for any individual market, balance of farms to processed goods; whether an applicant is a locally owned small business; extent of local ingredients used in value-added and prepared foods; sustainable business practices; distance of production from market; previous involvement with our markets; and whether the applicant has access to other retail markets.

SUMMER MARKET FEES:
Fees allow us to pay for market insurance, grounds maintenance, market management, printing costs, events at the markets and publicity. Note: Fees are subject to change after confirming the permit fees from the host city.

- Summer application fee: $50 (due with application)
- Individual market fees delineated within body of application

Acceptance into the market is at the discretion of Farm Fresh Rhode Island.

PHOTO RELEASE
By completing this application you are irrevocably giving permission to Farm Fresh Rhode Island to take and use photographs, video and sound recordings of you for use by Farm Fresh Rhode Island.

Farm Fresh is an Equal Opportunity Provider
In accordance with Federal law and the U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability