📍 Just a Heads-Up: Texas Only, Please!

Midland Downtown Farmers Market is proud to support Texas growers, makers, and food producers. To keep things local and traceable, we only allow products that are grown, made, or sourced within the state of Texas.

Thanks for helping us keep MDFM Texas-grown, Texas-proud, and rooted right here at home! 🌱

Think your product might be a special case? Hit “Next” and contact us — we’re happy to talk it through with you.

⚠️ Quick Reminder for On-Site Food & Drink Vendors:

All prep, cooking, mixing, and assembly must happen at your booth during the market — that includes fresh-squeezed drinks, iced teas, aguas frescas, lemonades, tacos, wraps, and anything hot off the grill. You may not bring marinated meats, chopped produce, fruit blends, syrups, or drink mixes from home.

❌ Fully pre-cooked meals or pre-mixed drinks may not be brought in and served like catering or bulk beverage service. All items must be prepared fresh, hot or cold, and in real time, either on-site or finished from a licensed kitchen setup with full compliance.

You have two options for compliance, depending on where you prepare your food or drinks:

🟢 Option 1: You Prep Everything On-Site at the Market

You must upload:

• ✅ Temporary Food Establishment Permit (City of Midland)
• ✅ Food Handler Certificate for each person handling food or beverages

🟢 Option 2: You Prep in a Licensed Commercial Kitchen, Commissary, or Food Truck

You may marinate, chop, blend, or portion off-site, as long as all items are fully assembled, cooked, or mixed on-site and served on-site. You must upload:

• ✅ Temporary Food Establishment Permit (City of Midland)
• ✅ Proof of Kitchen Access (e.g., commissary agreement, restaurant ownership, or kitchen rental)
• ✅ Mobile Food Unit License (if prepping inside your food truck)
• ✅ Food Handler Certificate for each person handling food or beverages

All licenses must be valid and match the business name on your application. If you’re unsure which category applies to you, we’re happy to help — just ask!

🎨 Artisan & Makers

Welcome to MDFM — we're excited to feature your handmade work!

This category is for vendors who create and sell non-edible, handcrafted goods. You don’t need food licenses or permits — just a love for making quality, original products.

This includes:

• 🎨 Artists selling original pieces, prints, or custom-designed items
• 🧵 Crafters of handmade jewelry, textiles, candles, pottery, soaps, or woodwork
• 🎁 DIY creators offering upcycled, repurposed, or one-of-a-kind artisan products

To qualify under this category:

• Your work must be made or designed by you — not mass-produced or imported
• You may not resell factory items or unaltered commercial goods
• You may not sample or sell food, beverages, cosmetics, supplements, or any product that requires labeling compliance or health permits

If you plan to expand into food, drinks, or body care in the future, no problem! Just update your vendor profile and we’ll help you understand what’s required to stay compliant.

📌 Important: DSHS License Required for Commercial Kitchen Production

🚫 You are not currently eligible to vend at MDFM.

You selected “Licensed Commercial Kitchen” as your production method, but indicated that you do not have a DSHS Food Manufacturer License. Under Texas law, this license is required for any vendor producing food, beverages, or other edible products in a commercial facility that is not their home.

This includes products such as:

• 🥫 Sauces, salsas, jams, pickles
• 🥤 Bottled drinks or fermented beverages
• 🧂 Spice blends, herbal teas, dry mixes
• 🍭 Candy, fudge, dipped items
• 🍶 Vinegars, syrups, infused oils
• 🧃 Any edible item prepared, packaged, or labeled in a commercial facility

What this means:
Without a valid DSHS license tied to your facility, we are unable to approve your application at this time. However, MDFM is committed to helping vendors succeed. Please complete and submit your application so our team can assist you with next steps.

📎 Apply or Renew a DSHS Food Manufacturer License:
• Download the License Application (PDF)
• Apply Online via the DSHS Licensing Portal

Need help getting licensed?
Contact our Market Director and we’ll walk you through the process:
📧 mdfmmarketdirector@gmail.com

📍 Just a Heads-Up: Texas Only, Please!

Midland Downtown Farmers Market is proud to support Texas growers, makers, and food producers. To keep things local and traceable, we only allow products that are grown, made, or sourced within the state of Texas.

Thanks for helping us keep MDFM Texas-grown, Texas-proud, and rooted right here at home! 🌱

Think your product might be a special case? Hit “Next” and contact us — we’re happy to talk it through with you.

🌱 Microgreens & 🍄 Cultivated Mushrooms

These items are legal to sell at MDFM as fresh produce — no special certification is required, as long as they are commercially cultivated and not wild-harvested.

Need help determining if your setup qualifies? Reach out here — we’re happy to help!

🌸 Floral & Nursery

Planning to sell flowers, potted plants, or anything nursery-related at MDFM?
Then this one’s for you:

Let’s keep it gorgeous, legal, and blooming strong 🌼
Class M keeps you covered.

🍯 Selling Flavored or Infused Honey?

✅ You told us your honey includes added flavors or ingredients — things like cinnamon, lemon, chili, herbs, or other creative infusions.

That’s awesome — but once you start modifying honey, Texas law classifies it as a manufactured food product. That means a few extra steps are required before you can bring it to MDFM:

🏷️ Labeling Requirements for Infused Honey

• ✅ Product name (e.g. “Lemon Ginger Honey”)
• ✅ Complete ingredients list in order by weight
• ✅ Net weight (oz + g preferred)
• ✅ Your business name and physical address
• ✅ Allergen declarations (if applicable)
• ✅ Batch code or date mark
• 🚫 No health claims — avoid language like “boosts immunity” or “soothes allergies”

🐝 Honeycomb Note: If you include the comb in your jar, it must be from your own apiary and clearly labeled. However, comb is not recommended in infused honey due to added ingredients and product safety risks.

Not sure where to start?
We’re here to help you get it all sorted out — just reach out!

📧 mdfmmarketdirector@gmail.com

🐝 Selling Raw Honey? Here’s What You Need to Know

If you're bottling pure, raw honey with nothing added — no cinnamon, no chili, no lemon zest — you may be eligible to sell under Texas’s Small Honey Producer Exemption (if under 2,500 lbs/year).

🏷️ Labeling Requirements for Raw Honey

• ✅ Product name (e.g. “Raw Honey” or “Raw Honey with Comb”)
• ✅ Net weight (oz + g preferred)
• ✅ Your name and physical address
• ✅ Optional: batch date or code
• 🚫 No health claims

🐝 Honeycomb Note: You may include the comb in your jar or bottle — as long as it comes from your own hives and the product remains unflavored and unaltered. Always label the product as “Raw Honey with Comb.”

📏 Estimating your annual production?
Multiply your jar size × number of jars per year. If total = 2,500 lbs or more, licensing is required.

Still have questions? We’re here to help you make it sweet and legal. 🍯

📍 Just a Heads-Up: Texas Only, Please!

Midland Downtown Farmers Market is proud to support Texas growers, makers, and food producers. To keep things local and traceable, we only allow products that are grown, made, or sourced within the state of Texas.

Thanks for helping us keep MDFM Texas-grown, Texas-proud, and rooted right here at home! 🌱

Think your product might be a special case? Hit “Next” and contact us — we’re happy to talk it through with you.

🔌 Electricity Access: Vendor Requirements

✅ You’ll be provided with access to a standard outlet at your booth.
Please come prepared to safely and efficiently use this resource. MDFM does not supply cords or adapters.

⚠️ Reminder: Power is limited and shared among vendors. Unsafe or unapproved usage may result in disconnection.

🍴 Sampling Guidelines

Texas Food Freedom Act (SB 541 — Effective Sept 1, 2025)

Vendors operating under SB 541 may provide samples of non-potentially hazardous foods. To keep the market safe and professional, MDFM requires the following setup at any booth offering samples:

🧼 Community Booth Sanitation

As a community booth vendor at the Midland Downtown Farmers Market, I understand that I am responsible for maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for all guests, especially during interactive or high-traffic activities.

Sanitation expectations include the following:

These expectations help protect guests, staff, and vendors — and reflect the values of our community.

🍯 Sampling Honey at the Market

Yes, you can offer honey samples! But your setup must follow proper sanitation rules depending on how your honey is produced. Read carefully:

🏡 If Your Honey is Made at Home (Texas Food Freedom Act (SB 541)

• ✅ Sampling is allowed under HB 1694
• ✅ You don’t need a handwashing sink
• ✅ You do need all of the following at your booth:
  • • Hand sanitizer (60%+ alcohol)
  • • Paper towels
  • • Single-use utensils (spoons, squeeze bottles, cups)
  • • Covered samples (lids, wraps, or containers)
• ⚠️ No double-dipping, dipping stations, or open jars for tasting
  
  

🏢 If Your Honey is From a Licensed Kitchen or Facility

• ✅ Must follow Midland Health Department or DSHS rules
• ✅ Handwashing station with warm water, soap, and towels required
• ✅ Use of gloves, utensils, and covered sample containers
• ✅ Proper labeling on both product jars and sampling station

Label Reminder: All samples must display a visible label. If (Texas Food Freedom Act (SB 541)), include:
“This product is home-produced and not inspected by the Department of State Health Services.”

Need help setting this up? We’re happy to review your booth or provide visual examples.

🥬 Sampling Requirements for Produce Vendors

Planning to sample fresh fruits or vegetables at MDFM?
Great! Whether you're offering a taste of cherry tomatoes, melon wedges, or cucumber slices, here’s what you need to know. Sampling is allowed under HB 1694, but you must follow these safety standards to protect your customers and stay compliant:

🧼 Sanitation Guide for Food Trucks (Mobile Vendors)

All food trucks and mobile units operating under a TFER permit at MDFM must meet these required sanitation standards to serve safely and legally.

We know most of you already have this handled 💪 — but this helps keep us all consistent and customer-ready.

🧼 Sanitation Requirements for
Licensed & On-Site Food Vendors

This section applies to vendors who are: operating under a Midland Health Department Temporary Food Establishment Permit (TFER), preparing food on-site, or using a licensed commercial/commissary kitchen.

Not sure if your booth needs a wash station, fire extinguisher, or permit?
Don’t worry — MDFM staff will help you meet all requirements before your first setup.

🥄 Sampling Animal Products at MDFM

🧀 Covered Products: This section applies to vendors offering samples of meat, poultry, eggs, cheese, or other perishable animal products.

✅ Sampling is only allowed if you:

• Hold a valid Temporary Food Establishment (TFER) permit from the City of Midland
• Follow all commercial sampling and food safety requirements below

📌 If you do not have a TFER permit:

You may still participate if you legally partner with a licensed on-site food vendor who:

• Samples your product under their permit
• Prepares and serves all samples at their booth
• Handles temperature control, sanitation, and safety

A clear agreement should be in place (signage + mutual benefit such as fee, trade, or cross-promotion).

📜 Permit Enforcement:

A current TFER permit is required to sample perishable animal products. No exceptions. Your setup may be inspected by MDFM staff at any time.

Need help meeting these requirements or want to explore a partner setup?
Contact the MDFM Compliance Team — we’re here to help.

📌 Producer Requirements for Meat, Poultry, Eggs, Dairy & Fish

If you raise, harvest, or process meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, or fish and plan to sell at MDFM, you must follow all applicable food safety, licensing, and traceability laws. We proudly support local producers — but full compliance is required to protect public health and ensure fair participation.

By checking the box below, you confirm that:

• ✅ You legally raise, harvest, or produce your own meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, or fish
• ✅ No butchering or animal processing is performed on-site at the market
• ✅ If applicable, you use a licensed and inspected facility (USDA, TDA, DSHS, or TPWD) to process animal products for resale — including but not limited to butchering, pasteurizing milk, or making cheese or yogurt
• ✅ You operate under current USDA or state-issued certification appropriate to your product type
• ✅ You follow all cold storage, labeling, and safe handling standards during transport and sale
• ✅ You only sell what you produce directly — no brokered or third-party items unless properly documented as resale

✔️ Thank you for producing with integrity — and helping us keep MDFM local, lawful, and trusted by our community.

🚚 Food Truck Vendor Tips & Acknowledgment

Midland Downtown Farmers Market – 2025 Season

✅ What Every Food Truck Must Have:

• TFER Permit: Issued by the City of Midland. Must be valid and available (upload required).
• Handwashing Station: Permanent sink with hot & cold running water, soap, paper towels, and trash bin.
• 3-Compartment Sink: Wash → Rinse → Sanitize, with drainboards or drying racks (no tubs or buckets).
• Potable Water Supply: Food-grade freshwater tank (30–50 gal) and larger wastewater tank (15%+ capacity).
• Sanitizer & Test Kit: Approved sanitizer (bleach/QUAT) and test strips or digital tester on board.
• Temperature Control: Cold foods ≤ 41°F, hot foods ≥ 135°F, with thermometers in all units.
• Clean Setup: Pest-free, sealed walls/floors, trash bins with lids, food stored safely.

🕖 Seasonal Setup Times

• March–October: Fully set up by 7:45 AM (Market opens 8:00 AM)
• November–February: Fully set up by 8:45 AM (Market opens 9:00 AM)

🚫 Important Reminder About Resale

• You may serve any menu items prepared in your licensed food truck or commissary kitchen, as allowed under your health permit.
• However, you may not resell packaged goods (such as bottled water, canned or bottled drinks, snack chips, salsas, BBQ sauces, or other DSHS/Texas Food Freedom Act (SB 541) items) from your booth unless you are approved under the correct compliance category.
• All packaged shelf-stable products must be either:
  • Made by you and approved under Texas Food Freedom Act (SB 541) or DSHS license, OR
  • Sourced directly from a licensed producer within 100 miles and approved by MDFM
• Standard retail resale of grocery-type items is not allowed at MDFM under any vendor category.

 

🏭 Products Made Under a Manufacturer’s License

You’ve selected one or more items that require licensed production in a commercial kitchen. In order to legally sell these products at Midland Downtown Farmers Market (MDFM), you must hold a valid DSHS Food Manufacturer License and a Temporary Food Establishment Permit (TFER) issued by the City of Midland.

✔️ What You’re Required to Have:

• 📄 A current DSHS Food Manufacturer License tied to your commercial kitchen
• 🏙️ A valid TFER permit if you are offering samples, assembling food, or handling open product at market
• 📎 Upload or present both documents during your MDFM application and on-site inspection

🧃 Examples of Licensed Commercial Kitchen Products:
Pickles, jams, sauces, salsas, salad dressings, teas, infused oils, candy, chocolate-coated items, baked goods with dairy toppings, freeze-dried or acidified foods, fermented beverages, frozen items, and anything else that cannot be made under Texas Food Freedom Act (SB 541).

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📦 Labeling Requirements for All Licensed Products:

• ✅ Product name (clearly visible)
• ✅ Net weight or volume
• ✅ Full list of ingredients in descending order by weight
• ✅ Any required allergen statements (e.g., Contains: milk, wheat, soy)
• ✅ Name and physical address of your licensed business
• ✅ Batch number and/or production date for traceability
• ✅ Storage instructions (e.g., “Keep Refrigerated,” if applicable)

💡 Tip: Labels must be printed, waterproof, legible, and securely attached to every package. Handwritten or unlabeled items may be removed from sale by the market team or health inspector.

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🚚 Transport & Setup Rules:

• 🧊 Cold items must be kept at or below 41°F during transport and sales
• 🔥 Hot foods must be held at 135°F or above (if approved for hot service)
• 🧼 Products must be stored in clean containers and protected from contamination
• 🛑 No unpackaged, unlabeled, or temperature-unsafe foods are allowed at your booth

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🍴 Sampling, Handling, and Sanitation:

• 🧽 A handwashing station is required if you handle food, give samples, or serve drinks
• 🧤 Use gloves or utensils to serve samples — bare hand contact is not allowed
• 🧊 Keep samples cold or hot if required — or serve only shelf-stable samples
• 🪪 Display your TFER visibly at your booth

📝 Note: MDFM may inspect your booth at any time. We recommend keeping a digital or printed copy of your licenses, labels, and temperature logs with you.

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📌 Helpful Links:

• 📄 Download the DSHS Manufacturer License Application (PDF)
• 🧑‍💻 Apply Online via the DSHS Licensing Portal
• 📧 Contact MDFM for Licensing Help

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✨ Your product has a path — and this is it.
MDFM is here to support every type of vendor, including licensed producers. If you’re prepared, professional, and passionate about what you make, we’ll help you grow a lasting business at our market. Let’s get you legal, labeled, and ready to thrive.

🥬 Farm Produce Compliance Tip

✅ All produce sold at MDFM must be grown, harvested, and handled by you or a member of your farm team. MDFM is a local-first market — and that means direct sourcing only.

🚫 Not Allowed:

• No reselling from wholesalers, distributors, produce auctions, grocery stores, or other farms
• No cutting, slicing, juicing, freezing, or prepping off-site
• No cooked, dehydrated, or value-added produce unless you're licensed under a separate commercial or Texas Food Freedom Act (SB 541) pathway

📎 Tip: If your produce is whole, raw, and harvested by your hands — you’re good to go! Anything else may require licensing or a special setup.

📩 Not sure if your plan qualifies? We’re happy to help! Contact the MDFM Market Director:
📧 mdfmmarketdirector@gmail.com

🥚 Selling Eggs from Your Backyard Flock

Texas allows small-scale egg producers to sell directly to consumers without a license — as long as they meet specific requirements for safety and labeling. This is perfect for backyard flock owners who want to sell at the market.

✔️ You may qualify for the exemption if:

• You sell direct to the consumer (not to stores, restaurants, or wholesalers)
• Your eggs are washed and kept at or below 45°F at all times
• Each carton is labeled with:
  • Your name
  • Your physical address
  • Date Collected (required for traceability)
  • The statement: "These eggs are ungraded and have not been inspected."

🚫 You must get licensed if:

• You resell eggs from another farm
• You sell to grocery stores, restaurants, or wholesale accounts

📎 Tip: Keep your eggs clean, cold, and clearly labeled. Bring a hard-walled cooler with ice packs to the market and store eggs in the shade. If you're ever unsure, the MDFM team can help walk you through compliance.

🌸 Class M Floral License — Let’s Make It Official

Are you mixing homegrown blooms with market-fresh florals to make something beautiful? We love it — and so does the state of Texas (as long as you grab the right license).

• ✅ You’ll need a Class M Nursery Floral Certificate from the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) if you sell flowers at markets — especially if you’re sourcing any part of them.
• 🎟️ It comes with 30 Event Permits — one for each market day. Just call TDA the day before to activate one. Easy peasy.
• 🖱️ Apply online: texasagriculture.gov → Nursery Floral
• 💡 Pro Tip: Use Chrome, Edge, or Firefox — Safari doesn’t play nice with the TDA form.

You’ll need:

• ✔️ Your business info (name, DBA, mailing address)
• ✔️ Your Sales Tax Permit
• ✔️ The name and contact info of your “responsible person” (probably you!)
• ✔️ Where your flowers live or get arranged (physical address — not a PO box)
• ✔️ A card to pay online 

This license says: “Yes, I’m a floral professional — and I came to slay bouquets legally.” 🌷

✅ Compliance Tip: Under SB 541, homemade food producers may sell and sample most foods directly to consumers, with required controls for items that need cold or hot holding. Follow the market rules below at any booth offering samples.

🏷️ Sampling is allowed without local permits or fees. Follow these sanitation rules and meet any registration and labeling that applies to your product category.

✅ Compliance Tip: SB 541 now allows a wide variety of baked goods. Shelf stable products may be sold without registration. Refrigerated or other TCS baked goods (like cream pies, cheesecakes, or custards) are also permitted, but only if the producer is registered with DSHS and follows labeling and cold holding rules.

🍞 Tip: Shelf stable baked goods may remain at room temperature. Refrigerated or other TCS baked goods must be kept at or below 41°F in an electric cooler or refrigerator. Registration with DSHS is required for these items. The Midland Health Department suggests electric refrigeration. If serving cold an ice bin labeled Drinking Ice Only may be used.

🌾 Other Farm-Grown Goods (On a Farm)

✅ Compliance Tip: If you grow your own crops, herbs, or non-standard farm items on a Texas farm, you may sell them directly at MDFM with no license required — as long as they’re raw, unprocessed, and safe for human consumption.

✔️ Common Examples:

• Fresh herbs or dried bundles (e.g., rosemary, sage, lavender)
• Foraged or cultivated greens (e.g., mesquite pods, lamb’s quarters)
• Plant-based items like corn stalks, wheat bundles, or dried ornamental grains
• Unique edible crops not listed elsewhere (e.g., nopales, okra flowers, garlic scapes)

📄 No License or Uploads Needed:

• If you grow it yourself on your farm, there are no required uploads
• Simply list it under “Farm & Produce → Other” in your application

📦 Labeling & Display Tips:

• Use simple labels like “Grown on our farm in Greenwood, TX”
• Date Harvested or Date Made (required for dried or packaged goods)
• Bundle or bag items neatly for customer handling
• If dried, include “For Decorative Use Only” or “Culinary Use” as appropriate

At MDFM, we make space for the uncommon harvest. If you grow it, and it's safe and simple — you can sell it. No red tape. Just roots, sun, and hustle.

🎨 Community, Education & Nonprofit Booth Tips

Welcome to the heart of MDFM! This space is reserved for bona fide nonprofits, public service groups, and educational organizations that serve our community — including schools, youth programs, outreach groups, and city partners.

• 💡 Be interactive. Share something useful, teach a new skill, or invite guests to participate. Demos, crafts, games, and hands-on education are all encouraged!
• 🚫 No food, drinks, or giveaways without approval. If you plan to hand out anything edible or prepackaged, check with us first — we’ll help you stay safe and legal.
• 🚫 No product sales, donation jars, or fundraising. This is a noncommercial space, not intended for promoting businesses or collecting money — even for a good cause.
• 👩‍🍳 Food demos or cooking activities? Yes! Under Texas law (HB 1694), demonstrations or sampling conducted for a bona fide educational purpose at a farmers’ market do not require extra permits or fees from local health departments. You’ll still need:
  • A basic hand hygiene setup: soap, water, and paper towels — or hand sanitizer
  • Clean, safe prep habits and proper food handling
  • No amplified sound (mics, megaphones, etc.) — let the lesson shine 😎
• ⚠️ Not sure if your idea qualifies? Just ask! We’re here to help — not to shut you down.

📬 Email us at mdfmmarketdirector@gmail.com and we’ll guide you through your booth setup every step of the way. Read HB 1694 here.

✅ Compliance Tip: You may sell dry, shelf-stable mixes from your home kitchen under the Texas Food Freedom Act (SB 541) — provided they contain no perishable ingredients such as dairy or eggs and remain safe at room temperature. This includes common dry baking mixes as well as spice blends, dry seasonings, and dry beverage mixes.

💡 Pro Tip: Package in jars, compostable pouches, or kraft bags — just keep labels clear, secure, and compliant so customers always know exactly what they’re getting.

✅ Compliance Tip: Under the Texas Food Freedom Act (SB 541), you may sell a wide range of jams, jellies, and preserves — including certain low-acid fruits — when you use tested, documented recipes and keep basic safety records. Package, label, and store products correctly to remain compliant.

🍯 Pro Tip: Keep a simple binder or digital folder with your recipe sources, pH logs, and batch notes. It speeds up approvals and builds customer confidence.

✅ Compliance Tip: Under the Texas Food Freedom Act (SB 541), you may sell granola, trail mixes, and dry cereal blends — provided they are fully shelf-stable and contain no ingredients that require refrigeration.

💡 Pro Tip: Package granola in sealed pouches, jars, or bags that are clear, secure, and properly labeled. Customers love seeing what they’re buying — and inspectors love clarity.

✅ Compliance Tip: You may sell popcorn and popcorn-based snacks from your home kitchen if they are dry, shelf-stable, and contain no perishable ingredients.

💡 Pro Tip: Use sealed pouches or jars and apply a clear, complete label on every unit for a clean, compliant presentation.

✅ Compliance Tip: Plant-based acidified sauces (e.g., salsa, BBQ sauce, ketchup, hot sauce) are permitted when you follow a verified safety process and maintain proper records. Below are the two pathways to compliance — choose the one that fits your operation.

💡 Pro Tip: Keep a binder or digital log with your tested recipe source, calibration notes, and batch pH logs — it speeds approvals and builds customer trust.

✅ Compliance Tip: Most candies are shelf stable and may be sold from a home kitchen. Items that require cold holding are permitted when you meet the registration and temperature controls below.

💡 Tip: Use airtight packaging to prevent moisture pickup and crystallization. Keep nut allergen warnings clear and prominent.

✅ Compliance Tip: Under SB 541, fruit pies are allowed in two categories: room-temperature shelf stable pies (no registration needed) and refrigerated or custard pies (DSHS registration required + safe handling label).

💡 Tip: Clear labeling and temperature control are key — when in doubt, ask MDFM staff before listing your pie.

✅ Compliance Tip: SB 541 permits the sale of dry, shelf-stable spice mixes and dried herbs prepared in a home kitchen. Products must contain completely dry, non-perishable ingredients and be safely packaged and labeled.

🌶️ Tip: Keep your mixes 100% dry and clearly labeled. If it’s shelf stable and your own creation, it qualifies under SB 541.

✅ Compliance Tip: SB 541 allows both high-acid and low-acid butters (such as pumpkin, pear, or banana) to be sold. Shelf-stable recipes only require standard labeling. If the recipe is TCS (requires refrigeration), then DSHS registration, safe handling labels, and cold holding at ≤ 41°F are required.

🍎 Tip: High-acid butters can stay at room temp. Low-acid butters like pumpkin, banana, or pear require refrigeration and registration if not shelf stable.

🎨 Artisan Vendor Guidance & Market Tips

Welcome, creator! You’ve selected one or more handmade, artistic, or imaginative goods. Whether you work in clay, yarn, ink, wood, wax, paper, or fire — this market is your canvas. MDFM is proud to showcase what only human hands can make, and we’re here to help you succeed.

✔️ Allowed Artisan Categories:

• 🧵 Clothing & Textiles (screen-printed shirts, sewn goods, fiber art)
• 💍 Jewelry & Accessories (handcrafted or designed by you)
• 🕯️ Candles & Wax Goods (soy, beeswax, tallow, etc.)
• 🧼 Body Products (non-medicated soap, scrubs, balms)
• 🪵 Wood, Leather, Metal & Natural Crafts
• 🖼️ Visual Art & Decor (prints, paintings, signage)
• 🏠 Home Goods (pillows, frames, handmade storage)
• 📚 Stationery & Paper Goods (journals, cards, stickers)
• 🧸 Toys & DIY Kits (non-edible crafts, slime, puzzles)

📦 Packaging, Labeling & Product Safety

• 🏷️ Label each product with your business name or logo so customers can find you again
• 🧺 Your booth is your gallery — keep it clean, safe, and visually inviting
• 🚫 No resale, drop-shipping, or mass-produced factory items allowed
• ⚠️ Ensure all items are safe for public sale — no sharp edges, choking hazards, or unsafe materials

🧼 Special Rules for Body Products

• ✔️ Only non-medicated, external-use items are allowed (e.g., soap, balm, bath salts)
• ✔️ Must include ingredients, net weight, and “For external use only” if applicable
• 🚫 No claims to treat or cure conditions — medical claims are prohibited

🧾 Sales Tax Reminder

Most artisan vendors are required to collect sales tax on physical goods sold in Texas. If you’re unsure, please visit the Texas Comptroller website or reach out to MDFM for help.

☕ Roasted Coffee & Herbal Tea

✅ Compliance Tip: Texas Cottage Food Law allows the sale of dry, shelf-stable coffee and herbal tea blends — but only when prepared and packaged by the vendor. No resale or relabeling of store-bought products is permitted.

✔️ What’s Allowed:

• Roasted coffee beans (whole or ground), if roasted by you or a licensed roaster you’ve contracted directly — not retail store brands
• Loose-leaf herbal tea blends made from dried herbs, spices, flowers, and fruit
• Custom tea blends using only dry, non-perishable ingredients

🚫 Not Allowed:

• Repackaging or relabeling store-bought tea or coffee (e.g., from H-E-B, Sam’s Club, Costco)
• Selling any tea or coffee product that requires refrigeration or brewing on-site
• Tea infusions made with fresh herbs, fruit, or citrus zest
• Ready-to-drink coffee (cold brew, bottled beverages)

⚠️ Labeling Reminder:

• Product name (e.g., “Mint Citrus Herbal Tea” or “Dark Roast Coffee Beans”)
• Ingredients listed in descending order by weight
• Allergens clearly noted (if any)
• Your name and physical address
• Date Made (e.g., “Made on 07/25/2025”)
• Required disclaimer:
  "This food is made in a home kitchen and is not inspected by the Department of State Health Services or a local health department."

📦 Tip: Sourcing your ingredients? Stick to licensed wholesale suppliers or herbs you’ve grown and dried yourself. All products must be mixed, packaged, and labeled by you — not resold or private-labeled.

✅ Compliance Tip: Chocolate-coated items are permitted under SB 541. Shelf-stable items may be sold with standard labeling, while TCS (refrigerated) items require DSHS registration, safe-handling labels, and cold holding at ≤ 41°F.

🍬 Tip: Keep shelf-stable chocolate treats at room temperature, and always label TCS items clearly with safe-handling instructions.

✅ Compliance Tip: Under SB 541, you may sell nut butters and nut-based spreads prepared in a home kitchen. Shelf-stable recipes require only standard labeling. If a recipe requires refrigeration, it is considered TCS and must be registered with DSHS, labeled with safe-handling instructions, and kept at ≤ 41°F.

🥄 Tip: If it spreads easily, is fully shelf stable, and clearly labeled, it qualifies under SB 541. For anything refrigerated, register and keep it cold.

✅ Compliance Tip: SB 541 permits the sale of roasted and candied nuts prepared in a home kitchen. Shelf-stable recipes require only standard labeling. If a recipe requires refrigeration (TCS), then DSHS registration, safe handling labels, and cold holding at ≤ 41°F are required.

🌟 Tip: Keep your product dry, crunchy, and clearly labeled. If it stays crisp on a shelf, it’s compliant under SB 541.

🧊 Animal Products – Compliance Requirements

✅ Bringing Meat, Poultry, Dairy, or Eggs to MDFM?
You’re welcome to sell animal-based products — as long as they’re properly licensed, labeled, and temperature controlled. MDFM supports responsible, local producers and legal resale with clear traceability. Here’s what you’ll need:

✔️ Allowed Products (With Proper Permits):

• Meat (beef, pork, lamb, etc.) — USDA inspected and labeled
• Poultry — processed under an Exempt Slaughter Permit or USDA Grant
• Dairy — milk, cheese, yogurt (pasteurized only with TDA Dairy Permit)
• Eggs — homegrown or resold with correct licensing (see our 🥚 Egg Compliance Guide)

📦 Storage, Temperature & Labeling:

• All products must be stored at or below 41°F at all times
• Coolers are not allowed — products must be stored in a working mechanical refrigeration unit
• Products must be fully sealed, labeled, and cleanly packaged
• Labels must include required USDA/TDA info and safe handling instructions
• No open displays, cut samples, or unpackaged items allowed

🧾 Licensing Requirements:

• Resale of meat, poultry, dairy, or eggs is allowed only if:
• ✅ The source is a licensed Texas producer or processor
• ✅ The farm is located within 200 miles of Midland
• ✅ You provide documentation proving the source and license
• You must hold appropriate licenses, such as:
  • • USDA Grant of Inspection (meat)
  • • TDA Milk Permit (dairy)
  • • TDA Egg Dealer License (resold eggs)
  • • TDA Exempt Poultry Slaughter Permit (if processing your own birds)
• Raw milk and raw dairy products are not allowed under any condition — including sales, sampling, or deliveries.
• No out-of-state animal products may be sold at MDFM, even if USDA inspected.

🛡️ Requirements:

• Proof of licensing or exemption (based on your product type)
• Working refrigerator with thermometer — ice chests and coolers are not permitted
• General liability insurance with MDFM and the City of Midland listed as additional insureds

📌 By checking the box below, you confirm:

• I will follow all state and market rules for food safety, labeling, and cold holding
• I will only sell or resell from licensed Texas sources located within 200 miles
• I have read and agree to the rules for meat, dairy, eggs, and poultry at MDFM

Thank you for helping us keep animal product sales clean, local, and legal at MDFM. 🥩🥚🧀

🧴 Body & Wellness Products

✅ Compliance Tip: You can sell body care and wellness items at MDFM — including soaps, lotions, balms, scrubs, candles, and aromatherapy goods — as long as you follow cosmetic safety laws. These are regulated as cosmetics (not food) by the FDA and Texas DSHS.

✔️ Allowed Products:

• Handmade soaps (bar or liquid)
• Lip balms, salves, body butters, and scrubs
• Lotions, oils, or body sprays (shelf-stable and externally applied)
• Aromatherapy goods (e.g., roll-ons, scented candles, herbal sachets)

📦 Requirements to Sell at MDFM:

• You must make the product yourself — no reselling, relabeling, or private-label items
• Follow all FDA cosmetic labeling standards and safe packaging practices
• Do not make medical or therapeutic claims unless you hold a valid license

🚫 Not Allowed (Unless FDA Licensed):

• Claims like “treats eczema,” “heals rashes,” or “relieves joint pain”
• Products promoted as dietary supplements, ingestibles, or internal-use remedies
• Unlabeled or misbranded products, or anything with misleading health claims

📎 Required Labeling:

• Product name and net weight/volume (e.g., “Rose Lotion – 4 oz”)
• Complete ingredient list in descending order by weight
• Your name or business name and physical address
• Instructions for use (if needed)
• “For external use only” if the product is not edible

💡 Tip: When in doubt, keep your wording simple and avoid any health benefit claims. If you’re unsure how your product is classified, reach out to MDFM staff — we’re happy to guide you through it!

🥬 Fermented Vegetables

✅ Compliance Tip: You can sell fermented vegetables under Texas Cottage Food Law — as long as they are shelf-stable, safely acidified, and don’t require refrigeration. That means tracking your pH and keeping your process clean, safe, and documentable.

✔️ Allowed Under Cottage Law:

• Shelf-stable ferments like sauerkraut, pickled cabbage, or non-refrigerated kimchi (no seafood)
• Properly acidified with a final pH of 4.6 or below
• Packaged in sealed, sanitized containers and safe to store at room temperature

🚫 Not Allowed:

• Ferments that require cold storage to stay safe or fresh
• Products with seafood, fresh garlic, dairy, or low-acid ingredients (unless tested and verified safe)
• Fermented items that are not pH tested or lack a verified process

📋 Required Safety Practices:

• Track pH readings using a calibrated digital meter or provide a verified safety process
• Maintain batch records with ingredient list, date made, and pH logs
• Use only clean, sanitized containers for storage and sale
• Label must follow all Cottage Food Law labeling requirements

📎 Required Labeling:

• Product name (e.g., “Classic Sauerkraut”)
• Complete list of ingredients in descending order by weight
• Allergen declarations, if applicable
• Your name and physical address
• Required disclaimer:
  "This food is made in a home kitchen and is not inspected by the Department of State Health Services or a local health department."
• Date made and batch number recommended

🧪 Tip: Cottage Law doesn’t require lab testing if you document pH and follow safe processes — but it does require shelf-stability. Reach out to MDFM staff if you're unsure. We’ll help you get it right!

🌿 Dehydrated Produce

✅ Compliance Tip: You can legally sell dehydrated fruits and vegetables under Texas Cottage Food Law — as long as they’re fully dried, non-perishable, and safe at room temperature. Keep moisture out and labeling tight!

✔️ Allowed Under Cottage Law:

• Dried apple slices, banana chips, or citrus peel
• Fully dehydrated carrots, tomatoes, okra, or leafy greens
• Dry veggie chips seasoned with dry herbs or spices only

🚫 Not Allowed:

• Products with oil, butter, or fresh garlic
• Semi-moist or partially dried items that aren’t shelf-stable
• Any product that requires refrigeration to remain safe

📋 Required Safety Practices:

• Use a reliable method such as a food dehydrator, oven drying, or solar drying
• Air drying is not recommended unless moisture levels are properly controlled
• Ensure the finished product is dry, crisp (if applicable), and not subject to spoilage

📎 Required Labeling:

• Product name (e.g., “Seasoned Okra Chips”)
• Ingredient list in descending order by weight
• Allergen declarations (if applicable)
• Your name and physical address
• Required disclaimer:
  "This food is made in a home kitchen and is not inspected by the Department of State Health Services or a local health department."
• Date made and batch number recommended for traceability

🥬 Tip: Stick to safe drying methods, label thoroughly, and store in food-safe containers. If your product crunches — and doesn’t need a fridge — you’re probably good to go!

🥚 Egg Sales Compliance at MDFM

✅ Selling eggs is absolutely allowed at MDFM — and Texas makes it possible for both small and large producers to participate. Whether you're collecting from a backyard flock or operating a licensed farm, here's how to stay compliant and ready for market:

✔️ Path 1: Exempt Producer (Ungraded, Direct-to-Consumer)

• No Egg Dealer License required if all of the following apply:
  • You only sell your own eggs (no resale or mixed sources)
  • You sell direct-to-consumer only (not to stores, restaurants, or other businesses)
  • You do not grade or sort eggs by size or quality for marketing
  • Eggs are stored and transported at 45°F or colder
  • Each carton is labeled with:
    • Your full name and physical address
    • Pack date (MM/DD/YY or Julian)
    • Safe handling instructions
    • The word "Ungraded"
• All eggs must be visibly clean — remove dirt, feathers, and debris using safe washing or dry-cleaning methods
• You are still responsible for food safety — and must meet all labeling and cold-holding requirements at the market
• You can optionally file TDA Form REG-201 to register your exemption — it’s not required, but it helps establish compliance if ever questioned

✔️ Path 2: Licensed Egg Dealer (Grading or Wholesale)

• You must apply for a Texas Egg Dealer License if:
  • You sell to businesses (restaurants, grocery stores, or resale accounts)
  • You grade or sort your eggs (e.g., “Grade A Large”)
  • You resell eggs from other farms
• This license is required regardless of flock size — it’s based on sales type, not bird count
• Licensed producers must follow additional rules on:
  • Egg grading and candling
  • Recordkeeping and inspection reporting
  • Standardized labeling and cold chain tracking

📋 All Egg Vendors Must Follow These Rules at MDFM

• Eggs must be pre-chilled before arriving at the market (no chilling on-site)
• Use a cooler with a working thermometer that reads ≤ 45°F during market hours
• Eggs must remain inside a closed cooler — open-air displays are not allowed
• Shade your setup to help maintain cold temperatures in hot weather
• Do not reuse commercial/branded cartons unless they are completely relabeled with your info
• Correct labeling is always required — whether you’re exempt or licensed
• All eggs must be visibly clean before sale — no dirty, soiled, or feathered eggs are allowed

📎 Need help registering or filing for a license? Forms and guidance are available at the TDA Egg Quality Program.

💬 Not sure where you fall? We’re happy to walk you through the exemption or licensing steps and help get your booth approved the right way.

🥚 Egg Resale (From Another Farm)

✅ Compliance Tip: You are allowed to resell eggs at MDFM — but only if both Texas state law and market rules are followed carefully. This ensures traceability, temperature safety, and proper labeling for every customer.

✔️ To Resell Eggs at MDFM, You Must:

• Hold a valid TDA Egg Dealer License — apply here: TDA Application Page
• Source directly from a licensed Texas egg producer — with written permission to resell
• Only sell eggs that are washed, graded, and properly labeled according to TDA standards
• Keep eggs in cold storage at 45°F or below during transport and the entire market day
• Use a cooler with a visible thermometer — this is required for inspection

📋 Required Labeling Must Include:

• Producer or distributor name and address
• Grade and size of the eggs (e.g., Grade A, Large)
• Safe handling instructions
• Pack date (Julian or MM/DD/YY format)
• TDA license number (yours or your supplier’s)

❗ Important: You may not resell ungraded eggs — even if they come from a small flock or an exempt producer.
Grading and full labeling are always required for resale in Texas.

🥚 Tip: Resale is permitted at MDFM — but only when every step is followed by the book. Need help verifying your setup? Reach out here — we’re happy to help!

❄️ Freeze-Dried Products

✅ Compliance Tip: Freeze-drying is allowed under Texas Cottage Food Law — but only if the original ingredients are already shelf-stable and non-potentially hazardous. Freeze-drying does not eliminate the need for pH safety, proper sourcing, or legal recipe use.

✔️ Allowed Under Cottage Law:

• Fruits and vegetables that are safe at room temp (e.g., bananas, apples, carrots)
• Baked goods without fillings or dairy-based icings (cookies, brownies, muffins)
• Marshmallows, sugar candies, or dry snacks made without dairy or meat
• Pickled items using an approved vinegar-based recipe and tested for pH

🚫 Not Allowed Without Licensing:

• Freeze-dried items made with cream, milk, butter, yogurt, or cheese
• Eggs in any form (whole, cooked, powdered, or added to mixes)
• Meat, poultry, fish, or jerky — no exceptions under Cottage Law
• Custom pickles or canned goods without documented pH testing
• Sauces, syrups, or jams made without USDA-approved methods

📌 Special Note on Pickles & Acidified Foods:

You may freeze-dry acidified vegetables (like pickles or salsa) only if all three of these are true:

• The original item was made using a verified shelf-stable recipe (USDA, Ball Blue Book, or AgriLife)
• You have pH test records showing the product was ≤ 4.6 before freeze-drying
• The base recipe was vinegar-based (not fermented or wild-culture)

⚠️ Reminder:

Freeze-drying doesn’t “make” a product safe — it just removes moisture. Cottage vendors are responsible for ensuring safety, acidity, and shelf-stability before and after drying.

🧪 Tip: If you're unsure, stick to simple, shelf-safe fruits, veggies, or baked treats. Anything complex may require a commercial license.

🧃 Beverages (Made On-Site)

🚨 Special Note: If you're making beverages fresh at the market — like lemonade, iced tea, aguas frescas, smoothies, or herb-infused drinks — they are considered prepared foods and must follow full food safety regulations.

✅ What You Need to Be Legal:

• TFER Permit from the Midland Health Department (Temporary Food Establishment Permit)
• Texas Sales Tax Permit issued by the Comptroller’s Office
• Handwashing Station at your booth with:
  • Warm water (≥100°F)
  • Liquid soap and paper towels
  • Catch bucket for wastewater
• Use of gloves or utensils only — no bare-hand contact with ice, cups, or fruit
• Properly stored ice and ingredients in food-safe containers

🚫 Not Allowed:

• Beverages made at home and brought to the market (even chilled or pre-bottled)
• Pre-filled drinks without a DSHS Food Manufacturer License
• Storing, slicing, or prepping ingredients off-site unless done in a licensed kitchen
• Reselling bottled water, canned soda, or commercial drinks purchased from retail or wholesale sources

📋 Important: All drink vendors will be inspected on-site for sanitation, labeling, and food safety. MDFM staff is happy to help you prep your booth, label your station, and get your ice buckets in a row.

🍳 On-Site Food Vendor Setup Guide

Cooking up something delicious at your booth? Whether you're flipping pancakes, grilling burgers, or serving up fresh salads, here’s what you’ll need to keep things safe, legal, and ready to serve at the Midland Downtown Farmers Market.

🧰 What Every On-Site Food Vendor Needs:

• 📄 A valid Temporary Food Establishment Permit from the City of Midland
• 🥽 A Food Handler Certificate for every team member touching food — must be ANSI-accredited
• 🧼 A handwashing station with soap, paper towels, and a waste catch bucket
• 🍴 A 3-compartment wash setup if you’re cleaning tools or utensils on-site
• 🌡️ A thermometer to check your hot and cold holding temps
• ❄️ Ice chests or coolers that keep food safely chilled below 41°F
• 🔥 Hot holding gear that keeps cooked food above 135°F
• 🧯 Fire Extinguishers — see details below

🚒 Fire Extinguisher Cheat Sheet:

Type	Use Case	Required?
🧯 Class K	Oil & grease fires (frying, sautéing)	Yes — if you're using any fryer or hot oil
🧯 Class ABC	General fires (electrical, propane, paper, etc.)	Highly recommended for any heated setup

Pro tip: All fire extinguishers must be fully charged, visible, and located within easy reach of your cooking area. Don’t store them in a bin!

✅ You’re Good To Go If You...

• ✔️ Cook and serve food fresh on-site (tacos, burgers, stir-fry—bring it on!)
• ✔️ Offer cold dishes like wraps or salads—just keep ‘em chilled properly
• ✔️ Use propane grills, griddles, and fryers with proper safety equipment
• ✔️ Hand out tasty samples with tongs, gloves, or toothpicks
• ✔️ Reheat food that was made in a licensed kitchen (not at home!)
• ✔️ Sell bottled sauces, dressings, or drinks made in a permitted facility
• ✔️ Set up your own handwashing station—even a camp-style one works

🚫 What’s Not Allowed (Even If It Smells Amazing):

• ❌ Bring homemade or home-prepared food (even for reheating)
• ❌ Operate without a valid Temporary Food Establishment Permit or handwashing station
• ❌ Store food directly in standing ice water (must use barrier or cold pan)
• ❌ Touch ready-to-eat foods with bare hands
• ❌ Reuse unclean or non-food-safe containers
• ❌ Sell food made by another vendor unless under shared permit
• ❌ Skip labeling or fail to post allergen signage if applicable

📎 Upload Time: You’ll be asked to upload your current Temporary Food Establishment Permit and ANSI-accredited Food Handler Certificate(s) below. Make sure they match your business name and are valid for this year’s market season.

🍇 Elderberry Syrup (Commercial Kitchen Path)

✅ Compliance Tip: Elderberry syrup is welcome at MDFM — but only if it’s produced in a licensed commercial kitchen and labeled properly. Because it often includes raw honey, fresh fruit, and herbs, it's regulated more strictly than typical shelf-stable items.

✔️ To Sell Elderberry Syrup at MDFM, You Must:

• Produce and bottle it in a licensed commercial kitchen or DSHS-registered facility
• Hold a valid DSHS Food Manufacturer License
• Maintain refrigeration at or below 41°F unless your product has undergone official shelf-stability testing
• Use sealed, food-safe packaging with compliant labeling

📋 Required Label Elements:

• Business name and physical address
• Full ingredient list (in descending order by weight)
• Net quantity (e.g., “8 fl oz”)
• Allergen information (e.g., contains: honey)
• Batch number or production date

⚠️ Additional Note on Claims:

If your label mentions anything like “boosts immunity” or “helps with colds,” the product may be regulated as a dietary supplement under FDA rules. In that case, you'll need to comply with federal supplement labeling laws — not just food laws.

🌿 Tip: Want to stay in the clear? Focus on clean, food-safe labeling and let your customers ask about the benefits. MDFM staff is happy to help you set this up right the first time.

🧀 Charcuterie Boards (Shelf-Stable Only)

✅ Compliance Tip: Yes, you can offer snack boards under Cottage Food Law — as long as they’re 100% shelf-stable and made only from legal ingredients. Think of them as creative dry good assortments — not meat-and-cheese boards.

✔️ Allowed on Cottage Snack Boards:

• Dry crackers or homemade breadsticks
• Cookies or other baked goods made at home
• Dried fruits (banana chips, apple slices, etc.)
• Roasted or candied nuts (if shelf-stable)
• Your own homemade jam, jelly, or honey (from Cottage-approved recipes)
• Popcorn, trail mix, or dry granola blends

🚫 Not Allowed:

• Any type of meat (cured, dried, or smoked)
• Cheese or dairy products (even hard cheese)
• Fresh-cut fruits or vegetables
• Any ingredient that needs refrigeration to stay safe

📋 Labeling Requirements:

• Your name and home address
• Product name (e.g., “Snack Board – Shelf-Stable Only”)
• Ingredients listed in descending order by weight
• Allergens (like nuts, wheat, etc.) if present
• The standard disclaimer:
  “This food is made in a home kitchen and is not inspected by the Department of State Health Services or a local health department.”

🧺 Tip: Want to jazz up your display? Package items in clear containers, label each component, and keep it sealed for transport and sales. MDFM can help you check your setup before market day!

🥒 Pickled Vegetables

✅ Compliance Tip: You can sell vinegar-based pickled veggies under Texas Cottage Food Law — but only if they’re safely acidified, shelf-stable, and made from an approved recipe. Here’s what to know before you jar and label.

✔️ What’s Allowed:

• Vegetables pickled in 5% acidity vinegar
• Recipes sourced from:
  • 🧪 USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning
  • 📘 Ball Blue Book
  • 🌿 So Easy to Preserve (UGA Extension)
• Final product must reach a pH of 4.6 or below
• Must be stored and sold at room temperature — no refrigeration allowed

🚫 Not Allowed Under Cottage Law:

• Recipes that include fresh garlic, herbs, or oils
• Low-acid vegetables like green beans, corn, or okra unless lab-tested and made in a licensed kitchen
• Custom, family, or modified recipes without pH documentation
• Any jar that requires refrigeration to stay safe

📋 Labeling Requirements:

• Product name (e.g., “Sweet Pickled Onions”)
• Full ingredient list in descending order by weight
• Allergen disclosures (if applicable)
• Your name and physical address
• Date Made (required for traceability)
• Required disclaimer:
  "This food is made in a home kitchen and is not inspected by the Department of State Health Services or a local health department."

⚠️ Note: If your recipe includes low-acid items or hasn't been lab-tested, it must be made in a licensed commercial kitchen with a valid DSHS Food Manufacturer License.

🧪 Tip: Stick with trusted, tested recipes — or let MDFM staff help you explore your licensing options if you're ready to scale up!

🍯 Honey & Bee Products

✅ Compliance Tip: In Texas, you can sell raw, unprocessed honey without a license — but only if it's pure, unaltered, and produced by you. That means no flavoring, no blending, and no bottling someone else’s product.

✔️ To Qualify for Exemption:

• You harvested and packaged the honey yourself
• It has not been flavored, blended, infused, or creamed
• It’s sold as-is — pure and local

📋 Labeling Must Include:

• Your full name or business name
• Your physical address (no P.O. boxes)
• Net weight of the jar (oz/g or lbs/kg)
• Date Made (required for traceability)
• No health claims — even well-meaning ones like “good for allergies”

📎 Optional but Helpful: If you're registered as a Texas Honey Producer or Apiary, we recommend uploading your certificate for faster vendor approval.

🚫 Requires Licensing:

• Infused or flavored honey (e.g., with cinnamon, chili, CBD, or herbs)
• Creamed honey or honey spreads
• Honey that’s repackaged or sourced from another farm

🧾 Reminder: MDFM may request documentation if there’s any question about sourcing or labeling. We’re here to help you clarify, not disqualify — just ask!

If you sell any of the following taxable animal-based products:

• 🧀 Cheese (all varieties)
• 🥩 Jerky or meat snacks
• 🧊 Ice cream or frozen dairy items
• 🐟 Snack-sized meat or fish products

then you are legally required to:

• ✅ Hold a valid Texas Sales Tax Permit
• ✅ Collect and report sales tax on those items

Please upload your Sales Tax Permit in the field below.

🛡️ Vendor Insurance Resources

MDFM requires all vendors to carry basic event insurance. If you don’t have a policy yet, no worries — these links will help you get the coverage you need quickly and affordably:

• 🎨 Art/Craft Vendors: ACT Insurance – Event Link
• 🍽️ Food Vendors: FLIP Insurance – Event Link

📩 Need help or not ready yet?
It’s okay if you don’t have insurance at this moment. You can click “Save” at the bottom of the form to email yourself a link and return later once you're covered.

Still have questions? Our team is happy to help:

• Email: mdfmmarketdirector@gmail.com

🛡️ General Liability Insurance Agreement

By checking the box below, I confirm that I understand and agree to the insurance requirements for participating at the Midland Downtown Farmers Market (MDFM):

• I will maintain an active General Liability Insurance policy with a minimum coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence while vending at MDFM.
• My policy will include the following as additional insureds:

Midland Downtown Farmers Market
404 N. Colorado Street
Midland, TX 79701

City of Midland
300 N. Loraine Street
Midland, TX 79701

I understand that:

• My coverage must stay active for the full duration of my participation at the market.
• I will upload proof of insurance before final approval.
• MDFM reserves the right to deny or revoke participation if valid coverage is not maintained.

If I don’t currently have insurance, I understand that I can request help from MDFM to connect with a trusted agent or use one of the recommended links provided.

Market participation is conditional on completing this requirement — but MDFM is here to help me succeed every step of the way.

📄 Pause Here: Update Your Insurance Certificate

Almost there! Since you already have insurance, please take a moment to make sure your certificate includes the correct additional insureds before uploading:

Midland Downtown Farmers Market
404 N. Colorado Street
Midland, TX 79701

City of Midland
300 N. Loraine Street
Midland, TX 79701

✅ Once updated, come back and upload the certificate in the next section.

📌 To avoid losing your progress, don’t forget to click Save & Continue Later at the bottom of this page before stepping away.

Need help requesting the update from your agent? We’re happy to provide a sample request email you can send!

🌎 Selected a State Outside of Texas?

MDFM is a Texas-only market, but don’t worry — if you selected another state by mistake or have special circumstances, we’d love to hear from you.

Type your questions or comments below, and our team will review your situation personally. If there’s any way to help you qualify, we’ll help you find it. 💚

We’re all about guidance, not gatekeeping. Let’s talk!

🏭 Using a Commercial Kitchen But No License?

If you're producing shelf-stable foods, drinks, or packaged goods in a commercial kitchen, Texas law requires a Food Manufacturer License — even for small-batch and market vendors.

This license ensures your production follows state food safety standards, and it's a key step toward selling legally at MDFM and beyond.

📝 Ready to Apply?
Download the Texas Food Manufacturer License Application (PDF)
Or Register Online Through DSHS Portal

Not sure if you need this license?
Tell us what you make and where — our team will personally review and help you take the right next step.

We’re here to help you grow legally, safely, and confidently. 💚