Mason City Farmers Market
Rules for Youth Vending Days
The Mason City Farmers Market (MCFM) wants to support budding young entrepreneurs! Young people, up to 18 years of age, will be given the opportunity to sell handcrafts and homegrown produce. In offering local youth this opportunity, we hope to introduce them to various skills, including marketing, decision-making, record-keeping/monetary skills, interpersonal skills and building their knowledge of the farmers market and local food community.
To make this a safe and fun place for all, there are a few simple rules:
Young people, 14 years old and younger must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times while at the market.
Adult involvement is encouraged but the child should be the main creator and also the one in charge of their stall on market day.
Youth are allowed to only sell items that they make or grow and must follow any applicable health code guidelines. Baked goods should be made from scratch (no box mixes or pre-made items).
A sales tax permit from the State of Iowa is required for sales of any craft or non-food items. Permit information can be found here: https://www.idr.iowa.gov/CBA/start.asp
The parent / guardian / responsible adult helping the child is required to have liability insurance (a homeowners or renters policy is generally adequate)
Arrival time is no later than 8:30 am (earlier is encouraged) and the booth must be set up and ready to sell by 8:45 am.
If a youth sells out of their product, it is expected that he/she stays until the market closes; each child is responsible for helping tear down and clean up their space. The MCFM will have a variety of learning opportunities for youth should they sell out early, these include shadowing a vendor or the market manager, performing an interview, conducting a survey, etc.
A 5‘X5’ canopy and table will be provided by the MCFM; youth should bring chairs and anything else needed to display their product.
A limited number of booths will be available for youth each market day, and preference will be given to the date of application, new participants and local and healthy products.
There is no charge for participation for up to 4 market days. If more than 4 weeks of participation are desired and space is available the weekly fee is $5.
Questions? Contact Erin at masoncityiafarmersmarket@gmail.com