Market Information
Website: Greerfarmersmarket.com
Mailing address: PO Box 1292, Greer SC 29652
Market Site: Greer City Park, 301 E Poinsett St, Greer SC 29651
Email: maggie.greerfarmersmarket@gmail.com; greerfarmersmarket@gmail.com
Phone: (864)334-6886
This form is to participate in the Greer Farmers Market as a partner or sponsor offering a chef demo, fitness/health class, kids activity, training & tutorials, musician or non-profit space.
DO NOT Fill out this application to request a vendor booth.
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.
Booth Fees are waved for approved activities.
Business or organization sponsors are offering their service FREE to the public. Your business would be listed as a sponsor for that activity and on our website under the sponsor tab.
Activity organizers are encouraged to offer a free version/demo of their classes or services to the community to introduce themselves to our patrons. However, Activity organizers are able to charge participants for their class with market approval.
Greer Farmers Market is a year-round market hosted in Greer City Park. We host Tuesdays in Town Markets weekly/monthly May-Nov, Sunday Brunch Markets Jan-Apr, and a 2-day Christmas Festival the 1st weekend in December. For a full list of events, review the form below.
MUSICIANS
-Are paid (email us to inquire).
-Must bring their own equipment.
-Most of the time musicians set up under the large tree in the field, but large groups may perform on the stage.
FITNESS/HEALTH/CLASS instructors: Yoga or Fitness classes, health education, making things, art. Any type of classes or product demos using local goods. How to store foods, canning classes. You got it, we want it!
CHEF DEMO: Show our attendees how to make things with market foods!
KID'S ACTIVITY: art opportunities, exercise classes, education events. Do it for the Children!
NON-PROFIT BOOTH: Local organizations can set up a booth to promote how they help the community! Activities/public engagement encouraged, this is how to draw people to your booth.
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. Please email greerfarmersmarket@gmail.com for signups.
Booth layout and setup directions are sent 2 days prior to the event. Typical schedule is as follows.
Event Schedule...
For Sunday Brunch Markets:
9am On-site Assistants Begin Setup
9:30 - 10:30 am Vendor Setup
10:30 am All Vehicles Must Relocate from the Loading Zone to a Parking Lot
11am Market is Open
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Market Breakdown
For Tuesday Markets:
2:30PM On-site Assistants Begin Setup
3:00 - 4:15PM Vendor Setup
4:15PM All Vehicles Must Relocate from the Loading Zone to a Parking Lot
4:30PM Market is Open
7:30 - 8:00PM Market Breakdown
Set up / Breakdown:
Vendors are expected to have their booth set-up and ready prior to the start time. Vendors who arrived after the Market start time will not be allowed to set up and refunds will not be issued for booth fees.
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.
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. A map will be emailed to assist you.
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 HEAVY weights on the legs of the tent. Booth displays should not block the main walkway. Should you need additional space, please let us know and we can process your request. 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 and from the event location following breakdown. Booth setups that put the public at risk and tents that are not properly weight will be told to leave with no refunds. Vendors that leave trash behind will not be allowed to return.
Insurance, Liability, Sales
Items brought on site are done so at the sole risk of the vendor. The City of Greer is 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.
CITY INSURANCE REQUIREMENT
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. Coverage must be at least $1,000,000 general aggregate and $1,000,000 each occurrence. Any vendor not supplying this document will not be permitted to participate in 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.
Processed Goods:
Vendors who will be selling items including, but not limited to: tea, pickled foods, baked goods, sauces, cheeses, pet products, lotions and soaps, etc.: Greer Farmers Market does recognize South Carolina Cottage Law - see further below for additional information. Food items that are not permitted under Cottage Law must be produced in a SCDHEC certified kitchen. Vendors are recommended to utilize local sources when applicable.
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.
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, displayed, 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.
Sales tax:
Vendors are responsible for their retail sales taxes.
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.
Cancellations:
• Vendors must notify Market staff if they are NOT coming to the Market. Notice must be given by email 24 hours prior. Suggested replacements are welcome.
• Repeated cancellations, 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.
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: maggie.greerfarmersmarket@gmail.com
By mail: Greer Farmers Market, 230 Trade St, Greer SC 29651
A vendor may be asked to provide their comments in writing. Market staff will share the information with appropriate personnel for follow up.
Prepared Oct 2022 for the Greer Farmers Market