Southridge Farmers Market: June 4 th ~ September 24 th, 2015 Thursdays from 4pm-7:30pm 2015 Market Season Vendor Guide and Application

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1 Southridge Farmers Market: June 4 th ~ September 24 th, 2015 Thursdays from 4pm-7:30pm 2015 Market Season Vendor Guide and Application Market is held at the Southridge Sports and Events Complex, 2901 Southridge Blvd in Kennewick in the rear parking lot facing Hildebrand. Welcome all vendors- returning and new! The 2015 season is quickly approaching and we are excited to be prepping for this years Southridge Farmers Market! As the Kennewick community continues to grow in the Southridge area, we have only high hopes and expectations that the Market will continue to flourish as well. Our 2014 season proved to be very successful with and average of 1300 customers coming through and our peak day topping out at over 2400 customers! We expect an increase in customer traffic for this season as the community grows around us. The Sports Complex continues to grow in popularity with more events and engagements and the surrounding communities are learning of the variety of ways to enjoy the facilities. The Complex offers indoor gym time and outdoor playing fields for team practices and sports tournaments, there is also a kids water park (which should be up and spraying through our market season!), playground, gazebo for gatherings and a 911 Memorial. And it's the home of The Southridge Farmers Market! This year, the Carousel of Dreams is finished and open! With the completion of the project, the water park will be open for public use again. What great attractions to help draw families out to our farmers market! Also The Trios Southridge Hospital is nearing a year of being open with a new medical building under construction as well. This year you can expect a variety of entertainment at the Southridge Market from musical acts to dance routines. We would like to highlight a new vendor weekly and give you the opportunity to have a special demonstration as you like (you can contact Chera individually regarding this). We will also be seeing Fields of Grace back to glean the leftovers for a local food bank. We will also be accepting EBT Snap Benefits (this service became available late in the 2014 season) as well as debit/ credit services for those customers who need a little more market cash! We won't hold a pre-season market meeting so please read through the Vendor Guide as there are a few important changes to time and dates of the market. We thank you for your loyalty to the Southridge Market. We are so pleased with the growth of the market and we look forward to watching the market grow year after year. We ll see you all soon! Sincerely, Ryan and Chera Antos, Southridge Farmers Market southridgefarmersmarket@gmail.com

2 Changes to the Vendor Guide for 2015 are highlighted- please read thoroughly! New Market Hours are 4pm- 730pm and we will end the market season on the last Thursday of September! Southridge Farmers Market General Rules 1. An attitude of cooperation, collaboration and professionalism are expected of all members at all times. 2. All vendors must receive and read this Vendor Guide booklet and acknowledge they have read it by signing in the appropriate area on the membership application form. 3. All products sold at the market must be hand crafted, home grown or produced. Vendors are required to produce 90%of items sold at the market. The Market Management, for due cause, may require proof the vendor is complying with this rule. If the vendor cannot provide this proof, Market Management may not allow the vendor to continue to sell at the market. 4. Vendors must display a sign at all times while vending at the market stating the legal name of their business. The sign must be in full view of the public at all times. The sign must measure no less than 18 X 12 with the name of the business in a font or design that is no smaller that 2 in height. The sign must also state the location city of the vendor (address not required). Signs are not permitted in traffic pathways. Banners, sandwich boards, and dry erase boards qualify as signs if the meet the size requirements. 5. Commissioned brokers and/or commissioned salespersons cannot be vendors at the market. 6. The market will not provide tables, awnings, or umbrellas for vendor use. 7. No vendors will be allowed on site before Market set -up time. This begins at 2:00pm and all vendors will remain in place until the closing is called by market manager. Vendors should arrive no later than 3:00pm taking into consideration if they have a set up that may require more time. 8. Arriving later than 3:00pm without prior notification to the Market Management may result in an inability to allow you the space for the day. The Market area will be cleared not later than 9:00pm. Any exceptions need to be cleared in advance with the Market Management. All vendors need to be ready to begin selling at 4:00pm. 9. There are no guaranteed or reserved stalls at the Southridge Farmers Market. Market Management will assign stalls to best suit the market. We will make every attempt to place each vendor in a space that is suitable for their product and because the customers like for vendors to be in the same spot every week, we will always attempt to make that be the case. Sometimes, exceptions will need to be made. 10. Vendors who sell-out early need to post a sign informing customers they have sold-out but may not leave their possessions unattended or leave the Market area until closing. 11. Vendor or an assigned representative must be in stall at all times and aware of all policies and rules. 12. Vendors misrepresenting or having inferior goods will be prohibited from continuing to sell on that market day. This decision can be appealed to Market Management. 13. Vendors must comply with the Benton County Health Department requirements regarding pets. Vendors are not allowed to sell and/or give away pets at the Market. 13. Vendors are responsible for conforming to all local, state and federal laws and regulations concerning collection, reporting and payment of all taxes, employment rules, etc. This rule included obtaining, if required, a Washington State UBI number for reporting sales and B&O taxes.

3 Southridge Sports and Events Complex Rules The Southridge Farmers Market is located in the Southridge Sports and Events Complex- South Parking Lot. Vendors will observe the following rules established by the City of Kennewick. Rules are not limited to those listed here. Please visit the City of Kennewick website and read the Facility Rental Information Guide otion=com.docman&task=doc_download&gid=3904&itemid= No Smoking. City of Kennewick facilities are smoke and tobacco free. 2. No Alcohol Consumption. If evidence of alcohol is found in a city facility, property, grounds or parking area without the proper requirements, the rental and event will be terminated immediately, the Kennewick Police Dept notified, the damage deposit will be forfeited and additional fees may be billed to the renter. Rules For Food Vendors Off-site Preparation 1. Vendors must comply with all city, county, state and federal health requirements concerning the preparation and labeling of prepared food products. 2. Vendors must have and display in plain sight a Washington State Food Handlers Permit. The Market Management suggests putting the permit in a protective sleeve. Rules For Food Concessionaires On-site Preparation 1. Concession stands must be pre-approved by Southridge Farmers Market Management. Photos of the inside and outside of the stand set- up are required and can be mailed to the Market office at : W Kelly Rd, Benton City, WA or ed to: southridgefarmersmarket@gmail.com 2. Vendors must comply with all city, county, state and federal health requirements concerning the preparation and labeling of prepared food products. 3. Vendors must have and display in plain sight a Washington State Food Handlers Permit. The Market Management suggests putting the permit in a protective sleeve. Scale Requirements Scales must be in full sight of the customer at all times. For more information on scale requirements see: Market Requirements 1. All vendors must use a canopy and provide 25 pound weights or more for each of the supports. Failure to do so may result in removal from the market. 2. All vendors must be loaded in and ready to sell by 4:00pm and cannot leave until the market closes. In the event of inclement weather you may permitted to take down your canopy and or your booth. Please DO NOT leave the parking lot without a market manager approval and someone to spot for your vehicle on the way out!

4 3. Generators will not be provided. Should you need power, Market Management would recommend a portable power outlet that plugs into your auto outlet/lighter. Other special arrangements should be discussed with Management prior to Market participation. 4. Only one vehicle per stall will be allowed. 5. Vendors will be responsible for damages caused by their vehicle to Southridge Sports and Events Complex property. 6. Vendors are responsible for cleaning their stall areas Fee Schedule The membership and stall fees provide vendors with an established market place, advertising, market management, inspection, and other oversight as needed. Membership application fees......$50.00 Daily stall fee... $15.00 One time only stall fee....$25.00 (will be reduced to $15 if attend 5 times) To sell, a vendor, must pay the membership application fee plus the daily stall fee. All daily fees are payable on market day. If you become a market member after July, membership fees may be pro-rated. Absences Please notify Chera by phone, text or 48 hours (Tuesday before Thursday market) before you will be absent. This gives us time to fill your spot with someone who may be on stand by as well as reconfigure the market so we don t look like there are holes. If we are not notified by 10pm Wednesday night before the market you will be charged for your stall space(s) and be expected to pay before you can re-enter the market the following week. Your Stall Space Booth areas are 10 x 10. Most stall spaces are deep enough to accommodate your vehicles. Canopies are essential to keep the sun off of you and your products. Please weight your canopy down with at least 25 lbs of weight per canopy leg. Please clean your booth and surrounding area before leaving the Southridge Sports and Events Complex. All spoiled produce, plants, unwanted craft, garbage, boxes, sacks, etc. must be removed and taken with you. If necessary there are dumpsters designated for use by the market (see manager). The garbage cans furnished by the Market are for market customers, not vendor use. Dumping into storm drains is also prohibited.

5 WIC WIC checks can only be used on fresh fruits and vegetables. If you would like to apply and do not have the required information please inquire with the Market Management. In order to accept WIC checks you must first have completed the required paperwork and submitted it to the State. Once this has been completed you will then be assigned a grower number. All checks need to be stamped in the appropriate area with the Market ID number and grower number. The grower number remains the same at each market you participate in. EBT Dollars This season Southridge Farmers Market will be accepting EBT payments for food items. Customers will bring their EBT cards to the Market Managers booth and be issued $1 wooden tokens that can be redeemed for any whole food items (no prepared foods!) Change CANNOT be issued for the $1 (One Dollar) wooden tokens so make sure to help your customer use the whole dollar value. When you need to redeem the $1 tokens let the market manager know and you will be issued a check for the tokens. There is no fee charged for redeeming the $1 tokens. Debit/ Credit tokens Southridge Farmers Market Manger Booth will also swipe customer debit/ credit cards in exchange for $5 tokens to be used at the market. Because the funds are coming directly from the customers own account you may issue change to the customer when they use the tokens. You may redeem $5 tokens with your market manager in exchange for cash for less than $40 dollars. For over $40 you may exchange your $5 tokens for a check. There is no fee for you to accept or redeem the $5 tokens. Market Cancellation due to Weather There may be instances throughout the market season when weather in our area can become unpredictable. If Market Management determines that the market must be canceled, vendors will be notified by noon on that market day. Each vendor will be contacted by both and phone. Please ensure current information is on file. Daily Sales Report A blank Daily Sales Report slip will be distributed at each market. Vendors must complete and return it to the designated location prior to leaving the market each week or totals can be ed or texted to Chera. Product Signage All produce and allowable products MUST be clearly marked with their price. This can be done by tagging each item with a sign or by listing all produce and prices on a large sign or dry erase board.

6 Tips for Success Abundant displays attract attention. Pile it high and kiss it goodbye Restocking and rearranging product throughout the day keeps things tidy and attractive Displaying WIC sign near qualifying produce increases sales. A colorful creative sign will help people remember a vendor and become a repeat customer. Being patient and friendly increases sales. Having enough change, bags, and smiles keeps customers happy. Customers have become accustomed to convenience. Using a combination of colors, textures, and fragrances creates interest and excitement. Are you on Facebook? We have found great success in attracting customers using our Facebook page which can be linked to other business pages. If you are having any promotions please let us know so we can share the promotion to our page. We often use our advertising budget to promote both the market and individual vendors to thousands of local Facebook users. Even if you do not use Facebook- if you would like we will take a photo of your promotion and share it on the page. Cross promotion is da bomb!!! Market Location and Contact Information: Market Management: Ryan and Chera Antos Mailing Address: Southridge Farmers Market W Kelly Rd, Benton City, WA / phone contact: southridgefarmersmarket@gmail.com Chera Ryan Market Location: Southridge Sports and Events Complex Southridge Blvd, Kennewick, South Parking Lot facing Hildebrand Office Hours : Contact us anytime by phone, text or .