Vendor Information

Message from the Manager
Thank you for your interest in becoming a vendor at the Tacoma Farmers Market. The Vendor Application submission period has closed.

Our Market offers farmers, crafters, bakers, and food producers the opportunity to participate in one of the Northwest's largest and most successful farmers markets. The Tacoma Farmers Market offers vendors:
  • A popular downtown market location in the heart of Tacoma's Theater District
  • Access to America's healthier "eat local" shift
  • Average foot traffic in excess of 5,000 customers per Market day
  • Weeklyspecial events including Chef Demonstrations featuring Market produce prepared by prominent local chefs, live entertainment by talented localartists, children's activities, a Master Gardener advice table and non-profit booth space
  • Strong Market sponsorship by local businesses and organizations
  • An opportunity to participate in a number of food assistance programs including the Farmers Market Nutrition Program, Market EBT (food stamp) Program, and TFM Gleaning Program that provides excess products to local food banks
  • Gorgeous sunny weather (we'll do our best!)
Locally Grown, Self-Crafted
Stall spaces at the Tacoma Farmers Market are available only to Washington State vendors who sell fresh farm produce, fresh flowers and nursery stock grown on land they own or lease in the state, processed farm goods, baked goods, high quality handmade crafts or ready-to-eat food prepared onsite. The Tacoma Farmers Market Board reserves the right to inspect all production facilities. Products sold at the Market should be reasonably priced relative to comparable market prices.

Vendor Prescreening
All prospective crafters, processors, and food vendors must have their product prescreened by members of the Market Staff or Board. Prescreening meetings will be scheduled in the spring before the startof the Market. After the start of the Market, prescreening appointments may continue to be made if stall spaces are still available.

Rules and Regulations
A copy of the Tacoma Farmers Market Vendor Handbook, which contains market regulations, is given to each member. Failure to follow the market regulations can result in permanent dismissal from the Market.
Complete vendor rules for the 2008 season

Vendor Application Process
2008 Vendor Application
Returning vendors will only need to update their online applications from last year. Beginning January 20, 2008, new vendors will follow these steps from our website to apply:
  1. Click on "vendor login"
  2. Create an account by entering your email address and selecting a password
  3. Read our 2008 Vendor Rules thoroughly
  4. Answer all pertinent application questions
  5. Select the products you wish to sell from our "product tree"
  6. Agree to the contract statement and click "submit"
Your application will be processed immediately and we will notify you in April to confirm your acceptance to the market. If you are unable to access our online application, please call our office at 253-272-7077 right away and an application will be mailed to you.

 

Community Groups & Service Organization Rules at the Tacoma Farmers Market

Community groups and/or organizations requesting a Free-Space reservation at the Tacoma Farmers Market must be a non-profit organization offering education regarding market related and/or community services. Occasions may arise where it is suitable for other (for profit) organizations to participate in the Local Living Lounge. Because space is limited, all organizations MUST follow all market rules, assign a volunteer to assist with market set-up & take-down (in exchange for free space), get written permission in advance, and those organizations must follow the instructions outlined below:

1.      Complete a Community Space Application or Special Event Participation Application to the Market Manager at least one month before date(s) requested.  Get pre-authorization PRIOR to attending the market.

2.      Note that Community-Space reservations are in high demand and requests may be limited to one Thursday per market season on a first-come-first-serve basis. The Market Manager will determine availability as space permits and reserves the right to not guarantee space for any reason he/she deems appropriate.

3.      The requesting organization must provide its own canopy, canopy weights, table, chairs, and weather protection. No microphones are permitted.

4.      We ask that organizations design participatory games, quizzes, or other interactive educational elements to bolster education and help eliminate litter. This should be the requesting organization’s main focus in the booth with the passing out of literature a secondary option. Those who offer creative interactive relations will gain favorability in the selection process (for new and returning organizations).

5.      Each organization must provide one or two volunteers to help setup and tear-down of the market on participating days. Those who wish to not participate in setup and tear-down may have the option of contributing $25 toward this effort instead.

6.      We would like to host a variety of groups with different focuses, but in the case an organization may have multiple streams of focus we, of course, appreciate awareness around themes that involve the preservation of farmland and supporting a sustainable local economy (i.e. New Urbanism, curbing of suburban sprawl, buy local campaigns, and any number of community development themes). All organizations will be considered regardless of focus.

7.      Community-space groups are subject to all Market Rules, unless otherwise specified. 

 Petitioning/Protesting/Signature Gathering/Leafleting Policy

 You may not wander around the Market and approach customers as they eat or shop.
Petitioning, passing out literature, etc. is permitted at the Tacoma Farmers Market,
provided the following guidelines are followed:
1. In gathering signatures, the following areas will be used for this purpose:

a) The Local Living Lounge (food court area), at a designated table, with prior written or verbal approval from the Market Manager.
b) The north end of Broadway, where it intersects 9th Avenue (sidewalk only) OR the south side of Broadway where it intersects 11th Avenue (sidewalk only) and participants MUST remain outside of the vendor selling area.

d) Other areas as designated by the Market site manager.
2. Petitioners, signature gatherers, leafleters, etc. will in no way block or harass patrons
of the farmers market. If customers or vendors complain about the behavior of a
signature gatherer or protestor, the person in question will be notified. If complaints continue, the
person will then be asked to leave the site.

3. Under no circumstances are petitioners, signature gatherers, leafleters, etc. allowed
to enter the marketplace, or stray from the signature gathering areas, for the
purpose of soliciting signatures or causes, their issues or materials.

4. Petitioners, signature gatherers, leafleters, etc. are responsible for all of their own
fixtures, and the storage and/or transportation of those fixtures to/from the market site.

5. The Tacoma Farmers Market respects the First Amendment rights of any individual
or organization. These guidelines are intended to provide a policy that will allow ample
contact with the public, while respecting the privacy of market patrons and vendors, and
providing them with a positive experience while at the Farmers Market.

If you have any further questions please feel free to call 253-272-7077 Monday thru Friday from 9am to 5pm. Thank you for your interest in the Tacoma Farmers Market.



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