VENDOR RESOURCES

PRODUCT QUALITY: The Vero Beach Farmers Market strives to provide a marketplace where fresh, wholesome, quality products are sold. If product quality declines, the Market Manager has the sole discretion to dismiss a vendor. PRODUCT APPROVAL: The VBFM Board and Market Manager reserve the right to limit products and the number of vendors for the benefit of the Farmers Market as a whole. Vendor applications must include a complete list of products for sale. Only approved products listed on the application may be sold. Any vendor selling items not listed on their most recent application and not approved by the Market Manager or Board must stop selling those items immediately upon request. Vendors who wish to add new products must submit a new application to the Market Manager for review and approval before selling. The sale or consumption of drugs or alcoholic beverages on the market site is strictly prohibited!

The Farmers Market is not an exclusive market. However, due to the size and nature of the market, Market Management reserves the right to manage vendor categories to ensure a healthy, diverse, and sustainable market environment. The Market may limit the number of vendors within a product category when a product is not typically purchased on a weekly basis, when a vendor’s primary offering occupies a distinct or specialized category, or when additional vendors in the same category would reasonably impact the long-term viability of existing vendors or the overall vendor mix. This may include products with longer purchasing cycles or extended shelf life. Vendor approval is granted for specific products and categories. Any expansion into new product categories or significant changes to an approved product line must receive prior approval from Market Management. Category decisions may vary by season and are evaluated in the context of the market as a whole. Longevity, consistency, and contribution to the market may be considered when evaluating category balance, but do not guarantee exclusivity.

The Vero Beach Farmers Market is committed to ensuring customers can trust that products labeled as Organic, Local, Pesticide-Free, Hydroponic, etc., are accurately represented. Vendors found deliberately misrepresenting their products will be immediately dismissed from the market. Federal law restricts the use of the phrases “Certified Organic” and "Organic" to those certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Farmers Market enforces compliance with these rules. All vendors advertising products as organic must comply with USDA National Organic Program regulations. · Farmers must provide proof of organic certification. · Retail vendors must provide proof of organic integrity and supply chain traceability before being permitted to label resale products as "organic" or “certified organic" at the market. Once a retail vendor has established proof of organic suppliers, said vendor will still be required to submit to random checks of traceable receipts to maintain this standard. If vendors are unable to provide those receipts upon request, they will not be allowed to label or represent products as organic moving forward, until they can re-establish proof of organic integrity. These requirements apply to printed materials as well as verbal representations of products as organic. For more information on USDA National Organic Program regulations, visit: USDA Organic Regulations. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-205?toc=1

FOOD VENDORS: Prior to selling at the Market, all prepared food vendors will submit a copy of their food licensing from the Florida Department of Agriculture or the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to the Market Manager. These permits must be kept with you during Market hours and presented upon request. PRODUCE / MEAT VENDORS: Farm vendors must submit an application to the Market Manager and must grow their produce or meats. Vendors selling meat must be in compliance with Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services regulations. No resellers are accepted beyond those already grandfathered into the market. Exceptions may be made if a resale space opens due to a vendor leaving the market, and selection will be based on quality and freshness. CRAFT VENDORS: Craft vendors must submit an application to the Market Manager. All items must be handmade by the vendor selling them. Selections will be based on quality, originality, and space availability. Eligible crafts are defined as “Handmade, home and garden decorative accessories.” PLANT VENDORS: Plant vendors must submit an application and nursery license to the Market Manager. Selections will be made on the basis of quality, originality, and space availability. COTTAGE FOOD VENDORS: Cottage food vendors are vendors whose products fall under the FL Dept. of Agriculture’s Cottage Food Act. Cottage food vendors will be required to have proper labeling on all products and must follow the Florida Department of Agriculture’s guidelines.

Pricing of goods sold at the Market is solely the responsibility of the individual vendor. It is a violation of federal law for one vendor to attempt to influence another vendor’s pricing. Any vendor found in violation will be removed from the market.