2023 Hood River Farmers Market Vendor Application

- Please read this application carefully. It may take up to 30 minutes to complete.- 

This application is for artists and craft makers. An application for farmers, ranchers, value-added producers (food artisans), hot food vendors, cut flower growers and other vendors selling food or farm products is available here.

 

Welcome! Thank you for your interest in Hood River Farmers Market. 

Bienvenidos! Gracias por su interés en el mercado de agricultores. Si prefiere la aplicación en español, llámenos al 541-490-6420.

Please complete the application by February 28th for priority consideration. Applications will be accepted after the priority deadline on a rolling basis.

Please contact Hannah@gorgegrown.com or 541-490-6420 with questions or visit the FAQ section of our website.

A PDF of the application is also available here. You may print and mail the application to Gorge Grown Food Network: 203 Second Street, Hood River OR 97031, if you'd prefer.

If you are a new vendor and need help or would prefer to complete the application over the phone, please call us at 541-490-6420. Se habla español. Se necesita ayuda o prefiere completar la solicitud en español, llámenos al 541-490-6420.

ABOUT THE MARKET

Hood River Farmers Market (HRFM) is open on Saturdays from 9am – 1pm in the 501 Columbia lot in downtown Hood River. The 2023 regular season opens the first Saturday in May and runs through the Saturday before Thanksgiving in November.

Gorge Grown Food Network manages the Hood River Farmers Market. Our mission: to build a resilient and inclusive food system that improves the health and well-being of our community.

This application is for vendors seeking their own booth space at the market. We also offer a Community Table option to vendors with limited supply who may not be able to fill a standard booth space. Learn more here.

APPLICATION PROCESS

STEP 1) Review our market rules in the vendor packet. A vendor's participation in Hood River Farmers Market is contingent on compliance with market policies.

STEP 2) Submit a complete application. Email any supporting documentation to Hannah@gorgegrown.com. 

STEP 3) Submit an application fee to Gorge Grown Food Network ($25 before 2/28/2023, $35 after). Application fees are non-refundable. Applications will not be reviewed until an application fee is received. Fees can be paid with:

• debit/ credit card at the end of this application (or)
• a check made to Gorge Grown; send to PO Box 752 Hood River OR 97031

STEP 4) Be patient while we review your application. On or around the priority deadline, Gorge Grown Food Network will review applications and be in contact with all applicants regarding acceptance to market. If you submit your application after the priority deadline, GGFN will be in contact within two weeks of receiving your application. The selection process for vendors takes into consideration many factors, including product quality, sourcing, presentation, seniority, regulation compliance, customer service and the right product and vendor mix to ensure a successful market.

STEP 5) Attend Vendor Orientation. If you are offered a booth space at the Hood River Farmers Market, you are required to attend the vendor orientation meeting on Tuesday, April 18th from 6pm – 8pm. This will be a virtual meeting. Vendors that miss the mandatory orientation will be asked to attend an alternative meeting. Vendors that join a market after the scheduled orientation will need to attend a meeting with the farmers market manager to review important topics covered before starting at the market.

 

Hood River Farmers Market strives to be a true farmers market while providing a place where high quality and unique products from local artists and makers are sold. In recognition of this, we have developed guidelines to help determine how appropriate each craft maker or artist applicant is for the markets. At times, we may have to limit the number of craft makers or artists who attend the market each week to ensure a proper ratio of food vendors to craft makers or artists or due to physical space capacity.

All artists and craft vendors will be juried before being allowed to sell at Hood River Farmers Market. A product review committee will rule on craft maker or artist applications. Hood River Farmers Market priority applicants will be notified by March 6th. Applications received after February 28th will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and may take up to two weeks to process.

All artists and makers must meet two of the three following requirements:

1) Use of local materials: Products should incorporate local materials and support growers from the following counties in Oregon: Hood River, Wasco, Sherman; or in Washington: Skamania and Klickitat. ***PLEASE NOTE: products bought, sold or distributed locally may not count as local sourcing (ie. buying materials from a local store or distributor; Bob's Red Mill etc.). We aim to support local farmers and producers, not local distributors. If you cannot get the products that you are seeking in the Gorge, we ask that you at least source products from Oregon or Washington. Please ask market staff if you need help sourcing local materials.

2) Compatibility: Products are unique, and/ or fill a niche in the market. Priority will be given to products in the realm of food, farm and agriculture.

3) Production: The vendor has a substantial “hands- on” contribution to the making of the final product.

USE OF LOCAL MATERIALS: List the primary raw materials you use to make your finished products AND include details about the origins. (Example: Sweater using wool from sheep at ABC Farm in Parkdale).

Hood River Farmers Market is open on Saturdays from 9am – 1pm in the 5th & Columbia lot (across from Full Sail).

Note on Attendance: We ask for 1-week notice if you are unable to make a market. If you must cancel, we ask that you alert market staff by 5pm on Thursday before the market. If you cancel after 5pm on Thursday, or do not show up, you will be charged a no show/ late cancellation fee ($40). 

Vendors that fail to attend more than 2 markets they have committed to may have their market placement moved to accommodate the needs of the market or market staff may find an alternative vendor to offer a similar product. See pg. 2 of the Vendor Packet for complete attendance policy.

Vendor selection and placement: Booths at market will be offered to vendors that are able to bring unique or limited items to market and/or can commit to participating in shoulder seasons (if possible). See pg. 10 of the Vendor Packet for complete vendor selection and placement policies.

Application fees are non-refundable. Applications will not be reviewed until an application fee is received.

Priority deadline is February 28th.
Checks should be postmarked no later than 2/28/2023.

HRFM Application fee if submitting before the priority deadline: $25
HRFM Application fee if submitting after the priority deadline: $35

Optional Market Sponsorship for Vendors: $150

Please contact Hannah if you have questions about vendor fees- Hannah@gorgegrown.com, 541-490-6420

Pay your application fee through the form below (or)

Send a check made to Gorge Grown Food Network

PO Box 752 Hood River OR 97031

*please include your business name in the memo line of the check

SPONSORSHIP DETAILS

Vendor Sponsorship goes directly to support food access and incentive programs at the market. These program like SNAP Match, Power of Produce and more ensure that local food is accessible to all members of our community, regardless of income. 

Vendor Sponors will enjoy: 

- Business name liasted on market promtotional materials

- Business name listed and linked on market website

- Business name listed and linked in market e-newsletter

- Monthly tagged social media posts identifying you as a sponsor

All vendors are responsible for reading the GGFN Vendor Packet, containing all rules, regulations and operating procedures, and any relevant COVID safety protocols prior to submitting this application.