2022 RAD Farmers Market Rules & Regulations
Please read the following document to ensure you are prepared to comply with the expectations of vending at the RAD Farmers Market.
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River Arts District Farmers Market Rules and Regulations for the 2022 Season


2022 Rules and Regulations 

River Arts District Farmers Market

River Arts District Farmers Market (RADFM) is a producers’ market supplying the Asheville community with locally produced products. “Locally produced” is defined as being grown or made in Buncombe County or the surrounding counties. A producers’ market also means the owner of the business is directly involved with the production of all items offered for sale. Any person present selling at RADFM must be directly involved in the production of the item(s) offered for sale.


I. Vendors of the Market

All persons or businesses wishing to become a vendor at the RADFM must apply through our online application. We reserve the right to verify that they are the actual grower or producer of the specific items that they wish to sell at the market. All vendors are required to allow the RADFM Manager or designated member to inspect their production facilities at any time, with or without notice, so as to maintain the integrity of a producers' market.

One of the market's key objectives is to help small entrepreneurs develop their businesses. Therefore, applicants who do not maintain retail operations in Asheville may be given priority over applicants who maintain retail operations. We do allow an exception for Sponsors, which are defined later. Listed below are some attributes that are necessary to become a vendor at RADFM:

-Small local producer 

-Vendor is directly involved in the production of goods sold 

-Preference for produce grown organically 

-Preference for locally sourced ingredients for value added products

We do not currently have a member vendor program.


II. What may and may not be sold at RADFM

All products must be locally produced unless the product falls under the guidelines of Product Exceptions. Vendors are only allowed to sell the products listed on their vendor application form that have been approved by the Market Manager. This measure helps ensure a sustainable product mix in a small market and safeguards RADFM’s mission to remain as a producer only market. Should you wish to expand your line of products, you must contact the Market Manager about new additions for approval. There is the possibility that you may be asked to not bring certain items, due to saturation of an item at market.

A. Products permitted for sale:

Farmed produce, meats, cheese, value added products, plants, baked goods, crafts, and prepared food.



B. Product requirements:


• Grown, raised or produced in Buncombe or a surrounding county

• Goods produced using local/organic ingredients


C. Products not permitted:

• Any items purchased by the vendor for resale

• Any item that is not produced by the vendor selling it

• Items not approved in advance by market staff

• Produce grown or product produced at a location not listed on the application


D. Health considerations: All vendors are required and responsible to maintain all current regulations in regard to their products. It is not the responsibility of the RADFM or the Market Manager to monitor your business. See section III, Part A for more information.


E. Product considerations: RADFM’s goal is to achieve a balance of products. It is the responsibility of the Market Manager to maintain this balance. The Market’s ideal balance is:

  • 30% produce (e.g. fruits, vegetables, and culinary mushrooms in their original state)

  • 20% meat, eggs, dairy

  • 10% bakeries

  • 20%value added food (e.g. honey, ferments, preserves, etc.)

  • 10% non-food (e.g. body care, cannabis, crafts, etc.).


F. Product approval: Products are initially approved or denied in the application process. Products are approved based upon the Market’s stated criteria and specific needs for a balanced product mix. The Market Manager must approve all products.

G. Product exceptions: Products that are not able to be produced in our local area by definition. Product exceptions will be allowed based on: Owners involvement in production, demand of the market, and Manager and Market Board discretion.


H. Sponsors: Sponsors may have the ability to resell items that are not produced locally based on their contribution to RADFM and the discretion of the Market Manager. Sponsors may not have the ability to participate as day vendors, or their products may be limited, if they are able to attend as day vendors. Sponsors may be limited in what they are able to sell at market based on the offerings of vendors at the market.


III. General rules and guidelines

The RADFM operating hours and location are: 350 Riverside Drive 3:00-5:30pm November - April, 3-6pm May-October

A. Health and safety regulations: Vendors are required to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and must retain valid and current documentation of required licenses, permits, or certifications. Examples of applicable documentation, as required include:

• North Carolina Department of Agriculture (NCDA) kitchen inspection (processed foods, e.g., baked goods, jams, vinegars, drinks, etc.)

• NCDA Division of Meat and Poultry - meat handler’s license

• FDA Short Course Certification for acidified foods (e.g. pickles, relishes, etc.)

• USDA Organic Certification (for use of “certified organic” description in all cases and for use of “organic” description by farms with more than $5000 in annual organic sales)

• Tax ID Number

B. All vendors participating in the RADFM must comply with the state and federal food-handling procedures that apply to their product.

C. Liability, Risk Management, Insurance and Hold Harmless Provisions: The RADFM’S risk

Management efforts include best practices, education, and enforcement to promote a safe and healthy environment. Vendors must participate actively in these efforts and take all steps necessary to assure health and safety. Vendors, as a condition of participation in the Market, agree to the following hold harmless provisions.Each vendor participating in the RADFM shall be responsible for any loss, personal injury, deaths, and/or other damage that may occur as a result of the vendor’s negligence or that of its servants, agents, and employees, and hereby agrees to exonerate, hold harmless, indemnify and defend the RADFM, its successors and assigns, from and against any and all losses, damages, claims, suits or actions, judgments and costs, and attorneys fees which may arise or grow out of any injury or death of persons or damage to property in any manner connected with the vendor’s products, operations, or vending at the Market. The RADFM holds general liability insurance only for the market. This insurance DOES NOT cover vendor spaces or products. Vendors must have insurance covering participation in the Market. As it is not practical for the Market to manage each individual vendor’s insurance coverage, this is a self-enforced requirement.

D. Tents: All tents, umbrellas and canopies are required to be flame-retardant and all vendors must use a minimum 10lb tent weights on each leg, no matter the weather. The local Fire Marshall does make regular visits to enforce city regulations. If you do not abide by these regulations, you/the market may be subject to fines. Ignorance of these policies will not be tolerated.

E. Vendor Fees: For the 2022 winter season, fees will be a flat rate of $25/week for one outdoor 10x10 space. Indoor fees are $25 - 30 depending on heat for one 7' table space.

F. Space assignment: The Manager shall assign spaces to all vendors, with preference given to

vendors with special needs and with consideration for the overall layout and functionality of the market.

G. Setup time: Each vendor must be at the market for setup up by 2:30, or be charged a $10 late fee.

H. Cleanup:

• Vendors shall be responsible for the cleanliness of their selling areas.

• Vendors are responsible for cleaning up their areas at the end of each market day.

• Vendors who leave a mess in their designated space may be subject to a warning and/or fine.



IV. Infractions

It is solely the Market Manager’s responsibility to determine whether a vendor has violated any Market rule or regulation or otherwise undermined the smooth operations of the Market. Violations can result in a verbal warning, fine, written warning, citation, suspension or expulsion. Such violations may include, but are not limited to:

1. Arriving late: Vendors may be asked not to set up for the day or may be fined if their tardiness

affects the smooth operation of the market set up (under Manager’s discretion).

2. Not showing up: Vendors are required to notify Manager by midnight on Sunday before market. Cancellations after midnight on Sunday will still incur the fee for that week. No shows will not be able to return to the market.

3. Leaving before the end of market: Vendors who sell out of goods before the end of market may not leave early.

4. Failing to pay vendor fees: Vendors who fail to pay fee cannot return to the Market until payment is made.

5. Littering: Leaving your space a mess is unacceptable and may incur fines.

6. Reselling: Selling produce not grown or harvested by the vendor, i.e., selling a product that vendor did not produce. The resale of items is not permitted at the market. This is considered a serious infraction and could result in expulsion from the market.

7. Conduct: Be on your best behavior. Getting out of line could result in a warning or citation.

8. Harassment of any kind, including sexual harassment: All participating entities are required to be respectful of all individuals present at RADFM.

9. Violation of safety or health rules.

10. No burning of any kind will be allowed at any vendor tent.

A. Citations: The Market reserves the right to expel, at any time, a vendor who is in violation of any of the Market’s guidelines and eligibility requirements. A vendor who cannot operate as a member of the Market community in good faith, will be asked to leave. If extreme violation of our rules does occur, the Market management has the option to take any of the following actions.

Minor infraction: The Vendor receives a spoken warning from Market Manager. The Market Manager will make it clear that you are receiving a warning, record the fact and will notify the Market Board of the warning. A fine could be administered.

• Arrival and Departure times: Vendors will arrive at market no later than 2:30pm and leave no earlier 5:35pm (winter market, 6:05 pm summer market). Penalties for violation of absence notification and arrival and departure times are as follows:

(NOTE: Fines should be paid to the Market Manager the next week. All fines must be paid in full before a vendor is allowed to sell the following season.)

1st violation – oral notification from Market Manager 2nd violation- written notification 3rd violation – written notification and $15 fine 4th violation – written notification, $30 fine and skip next market

Repeat violations or major infraction: The vendor receives a written notice to discontinue the violation/infraction. Based on history and infraction, vendor could also be expelled from RADFM.

B. Processing complaints about vendors: Questions and concerns may be verbally mentioned to the Market Manager or a Market Board member, if necessary. A formal complaint must be directed to the attention of the Market Manager in writing. Formal complaints are considered serious infractions that need to be resolved in a timely manner. Formal complaint resolution is the responsibility of the Market Manager and the Market Board. Together they shall determine, in their sole discretion:

• What type of investigation, if any, shall be conducted in response to a written complaint

• Whether or not the written complaint shall be provided to the vendor against whom the complaint is directed.

• What type of response (written and oral) the vendor against whom a complaint is made, shall be entitled to make

• The time frame in which such a response shall be made

V. Finances

A. Dues: All dues will be paid the day of market with the exception of pre-payment for the season.

B. Tokens & SNAP: All vendors are required to accept tokens. Vendors are only allowed to accept SNAP/EBT tokens for eligible products and no change may be given for EBT (SNAP) tokens. 

C. Record Keeping: The Manager and/or the Market Assistant will maintain the collection of dues and tokens. The Treasurer will oversee all aspects in regards to record keeping and will be responsible for all deposits and payouts.


D. Reimbursement: All token sales will be reimbursed every two weeks. Vendors will be charged 3% of any 2 week reimbursement total that is more than $10.00, to cover costs of credit card fees.

E. Sales taxes, licenses, and permits: Each vendor is responsible for collecting his/her own sales taxes, where doing so is applicable. It is not the responsibility of the RADFM.


VI. Modifications to Rules and Regulations

RADFM vendor members reserve the right to revise the rules and regulations at any time they deem appropriate. These rules are adopted and valid as of November 14, 2022.



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