VENDOR RESOURCES

All members of the Vero Beach Farmers Market must behave courteously toward customers, board members, staff, and volunteers, promoting community, camaraderie, and cooperative involvement. Negatively discussing other vendors with customers or other vendors is strictly prohibited. The Vero Beach Farmers Market is a non-partisan organization.

To ensure a welcoming and inclusive environment, vendors are prohibited from promoting political parties, candidates, or political agendas while at the market. Our goal is to create a space that fosters community, cooperation, and mutual respect. We recognize that political discussions can be divisive and detract from this mission. Vendors are encouraged to focus on their products and services to contribute to a positive market experience for all attendees.

HOURS OF OPERATION: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, every Saturday.

All vendors must be completely set up by 8:00 AM and remain at the market until 12:00 PM unless permission has been granted by the Market Manager for late arrival or early breakdown. Vendors must notify the Market Manager at least 24 hours in advance of any absences. Failure to notify the Market Manager will result in a no-call, no-show designation. As the market has been on a waitlist for several years, two or more consecutive no-call, no-show absences will result in vendors forfeiting their space at the market. Please note that as long as a booth space is reserved for a vendor, the market charges for the space whether vendor is in attendance or not. See market rates and fees for more information.

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The Vero Beach Farmers Market operates rain or shine and is only canceled for unsafe weather conditions or conditions like severe rain and high winds that make vending impossible. Except for hurricanes, the market will NOT make cancellation decisions in advance. Due to our location near the ocean, weather forecasts are often incorrect. If you are a vendor with perishable products, we recommend you make your own decision in advance about attending based on weather conditions.

Billing: If the market is canceled before 10:00 AM, no fee will be assessed for the day. If the market is canceled after 10:00 AM, full payment will be due. If weather conditions prevent payment from being collected on the day, it will be due the following week.

If a market is cancelled during operations, vendors MUST pack up and go home immediately. This is non-negotiable. In the event the market is cancelled the morning of, or in advance, vendors must NOT set up.

HEALTH PRACTICES: All vendors must adhere to sanitary procedures as outlined by the Indian River County Health Department. Any vendor found selling contaminated foodstuffs or produce, or selling in the Market without proper health precautions, will not be allowed back to the market.

Vendors are responsible for collecting and remitting their own sales tax. Vendors must comply with all Federal, State, County, and City laws, regulations, and ordinances, and are responsible for obtaining all required permits/licenses from relevant authorities. Vendors must provide proof of compliance to the Market Manager prior to entry into the market and upon request thereafter.

Vendors must obtain and maintain individual General Liability insurance for any claims that may arise at the Farmers Market Oceanside Vero Beach. Business Inspiring Kindness must be listed as additional insured on the Certificate of Insurance, and a copy must be provided to the Market Manager. It is the responsibility of the vendor to promptly submit yearly insurance renewals to the Market Manager. By signing the Market Rules, vendors agree to waive any and all liability of the Farmers Market Oceanside, Vero Beach, for claims, actions, or damages.

Vendor smoking is prohibited within the farmers market. Please go to the designated parking areas to smoke.

MARKET MANAGER AUTHORITY:

Failure to comply with Vero Beach Farmers Market rules may result in suspension, expulsion, and/or fines at the discretion of the Market Manager.

The Market Manager has full authority to enforce all market rules and regulations and to remove any person or vendor who is in violation of market policies, local ordinances, state laws, or market management directives. This authority includes oversight of space assignments, fee collection, and daily market operations on behalf of the Board of Directors.

In the event of a dispute between vendors, the Market Manager’s on-site decision is final. Vendors may submit a written appeal to the Board of Directors within two (2) weeks for review, provided the Market Manager’s direction was followed at the time of the incident.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: If the Market Manager has been unable to resolve an issue satisfactorily, the BIK Farmers Market Chair has final authority to resolve issues. In any situation, the Market Manager’s decision must be adhered to until such a time that the BIK Board of Directors chooses to reverse or change it. The BIK Board of Directors reserves the right to expel a Vendor at any time, for any reason.

GRIEVANCE POLICY: The Market Manager is responsible for resolving rule violations. Vendors selling prohibited items must either remove them from sale or leave the market. Unresolved issues will be referred to the Board of Directors.

Vendors lodging a complaint against another vendor must provide the Market Manager with the vendor's name and specific issue. Complaints are not anonymous. The Market Manager will attempt to resolve the issue, but if resolution can not be found, the matter will be escalated to the Board.

The Market Manager has the right to impose disciplinary action at the market site. Vendors may appeal any disciplinary decision within two weeks. Exceptions to market policies may be granted by the Market Manager on an individual basis. Failure to immediately comply with the Market Manager’s requests will result in revocation of the vendor’s selling privileges and possible expulsion from the market. Should expulsion occur, the vendor must vacate the premises immediately. Failure to do so will result in the vendor’s property being removed at their expense, and the market is not responsible for any loss or damage incurred.

CUSTOMER DISSATISFACTION: If a customer dispute arises, it must be resolved promptly to the satisfaction of both the customer and the Market Manager.