Vendor Applications 2024

Application Notice:

Overview:

Before applying to the Cartersville Farmers Market, potential vendors must read all of the information below and agree to accept these terms and conditions. There will be a place on the application to confirm your acceptance.

Located at 10 Public Square in Downtown Cartersville, we are a community market operating every Saturday morning, from 8-12, May through September. As a National Community Partnership award winner, our focus is on celebrating local food, agriculture, and creating a welcoming place for community members to connect. We work hard each week to bring the best farm-fresh products to Downtown Cartersville in a welcoming, family/pet-friendly environment with live music and food trucks. 

Selection Process

• Vendors selling agricultural and food products receive priority. 

• All agriculture products MUST be grown within the state of Georgia.

• Before applying, please ensure that you have the capacity to grow enough to help meet our community's needs.

• For prepared food vendors, we prioritize those selling minimally processed foods with all-natural ingredients in alignment with our mission to make healthy foods more accessible to the community.

• Other vendors will be selected based on customer demand, space availability, and maintaining a balance in product diversity.

• Other factors considered in the selection process: uniqueness and quality of product, professional display, clear signage, and previous history with the Market (attendance, rule compliance, interactions with customers, staff, and vendors).

• We are seeking vendors who specialize in a specific product to help us create a diverse Market full of high-quality products. We want experts in a narrowed category rather than a jack of all trades.

• Vendor selections will be made by the CFM Advisory Board, which is comprised of a diverse group of vendors, CFM customers, and small business owners. 

• We will limit the number of vendors in each product category to prevent oversaturating the Market and provide variety; however, vendor product exclusivity should not be expected. Only the CFM Advisory Board has the authority to determine product balance.

• As participants in the Wholesome Wave Georgia Fresh4Less program, we prioritize agriculture and food products. Arts/Crafts applications will not be accepted.

• While all application decisions are final and non-disputable, we strongly encourage you to reapply next year as we review applications annually if your application gets denied for this Market season. 

Other Considerations

• You must have the ability to set up your own tent, tables, and products.  

• Be aware that you are applying to a Market which is held in a parking lot that is very hot in the summer and you may have the sun shining on your tent all morning. Be prepared for the heat.  

• A tent is required for all vendors. All tents must be secured safely with weights attached to each leg.

• Each week, vendors will be assigned a space based on product balance and special requirements. Space assignments may change as more seasonal products come in. All efforts will be made to keep vendors in same location but cannot be guaranteed.

• Food trucks will be considered in the same process as regular vendors.

• All tables must be covered with a clean and presentable tablecloth.

• All vendors must have professional signage clearly stating their business name.

• Pricing for all items must be clearly listed for customers to see.

• There will be no vehicles allowed in the Market area during operating hours unless a vendor has a disability parking permit AND a need for a vehicle. Vendors can drop off items with their vehicle before 7:30 a.m. There are plenty of parking areas surrounding the Market that vendors can access. We cannot guarantee you the same parking place each week, nor can we reserve parking.

• These are the ONLY food items sold at our Market that do not require a license by the Georgia Department of Agriculture: fresh produce, jams and jellies, honey, and baked goods that do not require temperature control.

• Vendors must have a license to sell any other food or plant items (there are a few plant exemptions). More information can be found at: http://agr.georgia.gov/retail-food.

• Farms are subject to inspection to ensure that the products sold at the Market are grown at the location listed on the application.

• Vendors must agree to anonymously disclose weekly vendor sales for use in Market data collection and grant applications.

• Vendors must reapply each year that they want to participate.

• Every vendor, including all employees that come to the Market, must sign up for the Slack platform and check the application every week. Slack will be the only form of communication between vendors and the Market team. It is straightforward, and we will show everyone how to use it at our vendor meeting.

• Attendance is vital at our Market for both visitor trust and Market planning. Missing Market days is excusable if the market staff is notified by the Wednesday before the market. Communication is essential! 

Fees

• Full-season vendor; $125 (22 Market days). $150 for those requiring electricity access.

• Part-time vendor; $100 (11 Market days or less). $110 for those requiring electricity access.