2022 Greer Farmers Market Vendor Guidelines
PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE APPLICATION!
Complete ALL the questions even if you have been a previous vendor. 
All Application fees are non-refundable. Please be patient, it may take us to 2 weeks to respond to new applications. If you have good quality photos of your product, it helps your application to email them us. Thank you!

Market Information:

GREER FARMERS MARKET
Mailing address: PO Box 1292, Greer SC 29652
Market Site: Greer City Park, 301 E Poinsett St, Greer SC 29651

Contact Information:
greerfarmersmarket@gmail.com
Greerfarmersmarket.com
(864)334-6886

Summer 2022 schedule: Weekly on Tuesdays May 3 - Aug 30, 2022.

OVERVIEW
The Greer Farmers Market guidelines and rules are intended to ensure:

• The Market is a safe and enjoyable place for residents and visitors to gather and purchase locally grown and produced items.
• The Market and its vendors are in compliance with federal, state, county, and local regulations.
• The Market plays a positive role in the community and has a welcoming environment.
• Vendors have a fair, equitable and respectful atmosphere in which to conduct their business.

This document seeks to set forth a basic set of rules and guidelines to provide for the successful operation of the Greer Farmers Market, but we cannot contemplate every possibility. Therefore, the Market reserves the right to do whatever may be additionally, necessary to protect the intent and well-being of the Market, its patrons and vendors, as well as the staff, volunteers, and the City of Greer.

Selling at the Market:

All Vendors are responsible for adhering to all Federal, State and Local laws for their specific product(s) that are being sold at the Greer Farmers Market.

Market Goods
The following items are approved for sale:

Farmers / Producers:
Vendors who will be selling produce, honey, maple syrup, grains, dairy products, meats, fish, poultry, eggs, and nuts: Expected to follow all required USDA and South Carolina state standards for the production, processing, and packaging of their products.
o Vendor grown fresh fruits and vegetables
o Vendor grown herbs and spices, fresh or dried
o Market staff reserves the right to inspect a vendor's greenhouse, garden, farm, field or other place of production to verify that the products being sold meet market qualifications.
o Vendor grown bedding plants, hanging and potted plants, perennials and cut flowers
o Vendor grown dried flowers or plants
o Wild-caught, wild-harvested, or foraged food items, if in compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

Processed Goods:
Vendors who will be selling items including, but not limited to: coffe, tea, pickled foods, baked goods, sauces, cheeses, pet products, lotions and soaps, spices, beverages, etc.: Greer Farmers Market does recognize South Carolina Home Based Food Production Law - see below for additional information. Food items that are not permitted under this Law must be produced in a SCDHEC certified kitchen. Vendors are recommended to utilize local sources when applicable.

Artisans:
Vendors who will be selling items including, but not limited to: handmade jewelry, pottery, decorations, pet accessories, etc. Commercially made, imported, or manufactured items are not permitted. Second-hand or vintage items are to be approved prior to the market. Products other than those listed may be approved for sale if the Market staff determines the
items would benefit the market as a whole.
o No live animals may be sold or given away at the Market.
o Vendors may sell only the items listed in their market applications and approved by market management. Market staff has the right to require a vendor to remove non-approved products.
o Vendors seeking to sell items not listed on their application must request approval in writing (email acceptable) to add items to their application. These additional items cannot be sold until Market staff approval is received.

SC FARMERS MARKET GUIDE: https://v0x.861.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/FarmersMarketToolkit.pdf

Community Groups and Corporate Partners:
All businesses and charitable organizations are welcome and encouraged to reach out to Market staff about volunteer, sponsor, and special event opportunities.

Tuesday Market Schedule
2:30pm On-site Assistants Begin Setup
3:00 - 4:15 pm Vendor Setup
4:15pm All Vehicles Must Relocate from the Loading Zone to the Parking Lot
4:30pm Market is Open
7:30 - 8:00pm Market Breakdown

Set up / Breakdown:
Vendor set-up starts at 3:00 pm. Vendors are expected to have their booth set-up and ready prior to the 4:30 pm start time. Vendors who arrived after the Market start time will be allowed to set up at the discretion of the market staff. If a vendor anticipates being tardy to a market prior to the market date, contact marketing staff to make arrangements.

Vendors are expected to leave their booth in-tact until the close of the market. If a Vendor chooses to leave during the market hours, contact with the marketing staff will need to be made to ensure a safe breakdown of the booth and departure.

The Market is open from 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm.

Market Fees:
Application Fee: $20 - This fee is non-refundable.
Tent Banner Fee: $35 (optional order after accepted)
Weekly Market Fee: Farmers/Bakers - $15, Makers - $25.
Inquire about Fees Waived for fresh produce vendors. 
The weekly market fee is to be paid in advance online or before you set up your tent on Market day. Payments can be submitted to the Market staff the day of the Market. No refunds to vendors that do not show up or for vendor requested cancallations once payment is rendered. 
Weekly Musician Gift of $5 or a product equivalent is requested from each vendor that participates in that date and should be turned in at the GFM during setup. 

Parking:
Parking is on a first-come, first-serve basis in public spaces. Parking on private property is not permitted unless arrangements have been made with the owner. No vehicles are allowed on the grass, sidewalks, or along the curb.

Cancellation:
Greer Farmers Market is a “rain or shine” market; however, the Market may be cancelled due to severe/unsafe weather conditions that may pose a threat to the vendors or public. If the Market cancels, the vendors will be informed 24 hours prior to the market. The Market may close early on market days due to the above weather conditions.

Vendor Space:
Vendors are required to have a 10’x10’ white canopy tent, and weights on the legs of the tent. Booth displays should not block the main walkway. All vendors must keep signage at their booth identifying themselves, or their business, and their location. All signage or pricing should be clear and legible. All signage and product sampling must be contained within the vendor’s booth space. Signage must not obstruct the view or interfere with neighboring vendor spaces or walkways. All trash and litter should be removed from the vendor’s space following breakdown.

Vendor Behavior:
Vendors are expected to act considerately towards other vendors, market attendees, and market staff. Hawking is prohibited. Aggressive, inappropriate, or rude behavior will not be tolerated at the Market and will lead to the removal of said person from the Market.

Attendance:
Attendance is taken each week.

• Vendors are expected to attend all markets for which they are scheduled/listed on the application.
• Vendors must notify Market staff if they are NOT coming to the Market. Notice must be given in one of the following ways NO LATER than 12:00 p.m. on Market day:
o Call the farmers market voicemail (864-334-6886)
o Send an email to greerfarmersmarket@gmail.com
Verbal notification to Market staff is not acceptable.
• Repeated late arrivals or absences by a vendor, with or without notice, may result in suspension or revocation of a vendor's selling rights.
• If a personal emergency situation arises after the market opens and a vendor feels they must leave, please notify Market staff who will do their best to facilitate departure.

Insurance & Liability:
Items brought on site are done so at the sole risk of the vendor. The City of Greer nor Greer Farmers Market are not responsible for any loss, damage, or destruction of personal property, equipment, and/or valuables. Vendors are responsible for their own personal and property liability insurance.

Any vendor selling prepared food or drink items must supply the City of Greer with a certificate of general liability insurance listing the City of Greer as an additional insured. This includes food trucks, food vendors, etc.
Coverage must be at least $1,000,000 general aggregate and $500,000 each occurrence. Any vendor not supplying this document will not be permitted to participate in the market. The certificate may be emailed to greerfarmersmarket@gmail.com. 

Sales tax:
Vendors are responsible for their retail sales taxes.

SC Homed Based Food Production Law (Cottage Food Law) 
Items produced under SC Cottage Law must follow the rules and regulations set forth by the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control. Permitted food and further information can be found at the link below:
https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/south-carolinas-home-based-food-production-law-cottage-food-law/

Enforcement of Market Rules
Market staff members value our good relationship with vendors and make every effort to educate vendors about the Market guidelines before and during the season. Staff reserves the right to suspend or revoke the selling rights of any vendor who repeatedly disregards one or more of the rules as outlined in these guidelines.

If Market staff suspends or revokes a vendor's selling rights for any reason, the selling rights of all working at that booth - primary seller and additional sellers, whether it be family, friends, agents, employees, etc.- are likewise suspended or revoked.

The rules, policies, and guidelines are determined, and may be changed, by the Market staff with approval of the GFM Manager. Vendors will be notified of any significant changes and the date they become effective.

Feedback
The Greer Farmers Market encourages feedback, both positive comments and constructive criticism, about all aspects of market management. Feedback may be sent the following ways:

By email: greerfarmersmarket@gmail.com
By mail: Greer Farmers Market, PO Box 1292, Greer SC 29652

A vendor may be asked to provide their comments in writing. Market staff will share the information with appropriate personnel for follow up.

Please print this application for your records. 

 

Prepared Dec 2021 for the Greer Farmers Market.