1. Professional Conduct:
All vendors are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful and professional manner at all times.
Vendors must:
Treat customers, fellow vendors, volunteers, staff, and market management with courtesy and respect.
Maintain a positive and cooperative attitude, even during disagreements or stressful situations.
Refrain from bullying, harassment, intimidation, discrimination, gossip, or creating unnecessary drama within the market environment.
Understand that interactions with market management are part of a professional business relationship and must be treated accordingly.
Avoid aggressive, confrontational, or disrespectful behavior, including inappropriate language, shouting, or public disputes.
Respect decisions made by market management regarding operations, safety, vendor placement, and market policies.
The Olds Farmers Market strives to foster a supportive and welcoming atmosphere for everyone involved.
2. Compliance with Market Rules & Regulations:
Vendors must:
Follow all Olds Farmers Market policies, rules, and operational procedures.
Comply with all applicable municipal, provincial, and federal regulations related to their products and business operations.
Display all required licenses, permits, pricing, and signage clearly and accurately.
Sell only products that have been approved through the market application process.
Ensure all food products meet Alberta Health Services requirements where applicable.
Operate within their assigned booth space only unless otherwise approved by management.
Failure to comply with market rules may result in disciplinary action.
3. Attendance, Cancellations, and Refund Policy
Vendor attendance is critical to maintaining a successful and consistent market experience.
Vendors must:
Provide a minimum of 48 hours notice if unable to attend a scheduled market date.
Communicate absences directly to market management as soon as possible.
Respond promptly to market emails, invoices, and operational communications.
Please note:
The Olds Farmers Market maintains a strict no refund policy for vendor fees, including cancellations, no-shows, weather-related absences, or early departures.
Repeated late cancellations or no-shows may affect future acceptance into the market and/or seasonal vendor status.
4. Setup, Tear Down, & Market Operations:
To ensure a safe and organized market environment, vendors are expected to follow all setup and operational procedures.
Vendors must:
Arrive within designated setup times provided by market management.
Be fully set up and ready for customers prior to market opening.
Remain set up for the full duration of market hours unless otherwise approved by management.
Not begin packing up or tearing down early.
Follow all vehicle movement rules and ensure vehicles are removed from vendor areas before market opening if you are a table only vendor.
Not move vehicles through market areas during market operating hours unless directed by management for emergency purposes.
Keep walkways clear and accessible at all times.
Ensure tents, tables, displays, and equipment are secure and safely installed.
5. Booth Cleanliness & Safety:
Vendors are responsible for maintaining a clean, safe, and professional booth space.
Vendors must:
Keep their booth area clean throughout the market day.
Dispose of garbage properly and leave their space clean at the end of the market.
Remove all products, displays, signage, and waste after each market unless otherwise instructed.
Ensure products and displays do not create safety hazards for customers or neighboring vendors.
Refrain from smoking or vaping within vendor spaces or public market areas.
6. Customer Relations:
Vendors are expected to provide a positive customer experience that reflects well on the market as a whole.
Vendors must:
Provide friendly, honest, and professional customer service.
Address customer concerns respectfully and calmly.
Avoid confrontational behavior or aggressive sales tactics.
Accurately represent products, ingredients, sourcing, and claims.
7. Conflict Resolution:
Concerns and disputes must be handled professionally.
Vendors must:
Bring concerns, complaints, or conflicts directly to market management rather than confronting vendors publicly.
Avoid engaging in gossip, public disputes, social media conflicts, or behavior that damages the reputation of the market.
Respect the role of market management in resolving disputes and enforcing market policies.
8. Photography & Media Consent:
By participating in the Olds Farmers Market, vendors acknowledge and agree that photographs and videos may be taken during market operations for promotional, advertising, website, or social media purposes by the Olds Regional Exhibition and Olds Farmers Market.
9. Enforcement & Consequences:
The Olds Farmers Market reserves the right to enforce this Code of Conduct to maintain a safe, respectful, and professional environment.
Whenever possible, the following progressive enforcement process will be used:
Verbal Warning
Market management will discuss the concern with the vendor and outline expected corrective actions.
Written Warning
A written warning may be issued for repeated concerns or more serious violations.
Suspension or Removal
Serious misconduct, repeated violations, bullying, harassment, unsafe behavior, repeated no-shows, disrespect toward management, or failure to follow operational policies may result in temporary suspension or permanent removal from the market.
Review Process
Vendors may submit a written request for review to market management or the designated market committee within 14 days of receiving notice of removal.
10. Commitment:
By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read, understood, and agree to follow the Olds Farmers Market Vendor Code of Conduct. I understand that failure to comply with these expectations may result in disciplinary action, including removal from the market.