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The Nitty-Gritty

Bath County Farmers Market 2010 Rules and Regulations

Mission

The Bath County Farmers Market creates the opportunity for people to buy locally grown and produced products.

Goals and Vision

The Bath County Farmers Market:

• Increases access to fresh, locally produced, nourishing and safe foods for all people.
• Encourages, supports, and promotes the entrepreneurial efforts of local, independent and small scale farmers, local growers, and local artisans, seeking to sell their products/produce directly to the customer.
• Creates an opportunity for people to meet, eat, and share stories, recipes, and knowledge in a place dedicated to the cultivation of local products and talents.
• Strives to create an atmosphere that serves not only the market but also contributes to a prosperous rural area and promotes a sense of community.

Participation

Participation is open to growers, harvesters, bakers, makers of prepared food, and artisans (hereafter, “the vendors”) in the following counties: Bath, Highland, Alleghany, Rockbridge, Augusta, Craig, Botetourt, and Rockingham . The Market strives to be a producers-only market. Vendors must participate in production of the product they sell.

Location and Times

Hot Springs

Selling Season: June 5th through October 30

Day of the Week: Saturday

Hours of Operation: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Management

The Market Manager shall enforce all the rules and regulations of the Market and work with the vendors to assist in their success. The Market Manager or her/his representative will be present at the Market during operation. If questions or problems arise on Market Day, they will be resolved by the Market Manager.

Market-day responsibilities include the following: Overseeing the set-up and break-down of the Market; recording attendance; assuring all vendors are in compliance with Market regulations; and addressing any disputes or complaints. The Market Manager shall be aware of all health and sanitation rules and regulations affecting open-air farmers’ markets.

Vendor Eligibility

The Bath County Farmers Market is primarily a producer-only market. A producer is defined as the person who grows or makes the product and may also include the producer’s immediate family, partners, employees or local cooperatives.

The Bath County Farmers Market gives preference to 100 percent grower/producer goods over resale goods. Farmers and food producers are given priority over artisans at the Market.

Vendor Information: Application, Fees, Space Assignment, Sales Time and Additional Information

Permanent vendors must annually submit a Market application to the Market Manager. Applications may be modified or updated during the season.

Guest vendors must submit a Market application the day of their participation to the Market Manager. Included within the Permanent and Guest vendor application is a “hold harmless” agreement that the vendor must sign. This agreement means the producer will hold Bath County Farmers Market and its representatives harmless concerning product liability or other factors that relate specifically to the vendors business practice.

Permanent vendors must commit to the entire market season (June through October) and participate on a regular basis (a minimum of 80% of Market days). Produce availability may limit market beginning and ending dates. Guest vendors will participate in markets based on the discretion of the Market Manager.

Vendors may be charged fees to cover the operating costs and related expenses to assure the viability and quality of the Market.

The Market Manager will make vendor space assignments in a fair and equitable manner based on the needs of the Market, seniority, previous attendance, sales volume, and term of commitment.

A vendor space is defined as a designated area not to exceed 10 feet wide. Vendors may begin to set up at 7:00 AM and are required to be completed by 8:00 AM.

Vendors are required to stay until Market closes at 1:00 PM.

Vendors are required to stop selling at 1:00 PM. They must leave their spaces clean and remove their display and truck by 1:45 PM.

Vendors shall not sell before the opening hour of the market day.

Displays

Tables, tents, canopies, pop-ups, umbrellas, signs and display items must be in good condition.

At no time shall the safety or convenience of customers or vendors be compromised by any vendor’s display.

Vendors will clearly display prices of all items and post their farm name and location. Posting of current licenses, certifications, and inspections is highly recommended. At a minimum, vendors should have copies available at their site.

Guidelines for Market Products

The Bath County Farmers Market strives to be a regional, producer only market with an emphasis on agricultural products.

It is understood that some ingredients such as spices, sugar, and other minor ingredients used in the preparation of products may not be available for purchase locally. However, the final product must be locally produced in its entirety.

Along with this goal is the aim of the Market to meet the expectations of the customers with the appropriate mix of products suitable for the Market and will be determined by the Market Manager or his/her representative.

Eligible Products

All products in the following categories including must originate within the following counties: Bath, Highland, Alleghany, Rockbridge, Augusta, Craig, Botetourt, and Rockingham

Complete Grower/Producer Origin. These goods must be personally grown/produced only by the vendor, vendor’s employees, or primary family members.

Limited Grower/Producer Origin. These goods must originate the counties listed but may be grown/produced by partners on land or facilities not owned by the vendor. This includes crops harvested by the vendor from “you-pick” farms.

Product Labeling and Pricing

All home-prepared consumable products must meet the Virginia Department of Agriculture Rules and Regulations. Vendors set their own prices and are responsible for accurately representing their products. All scales or weighing devices must have a current and valid certification sticker signed by the Virginia Department of Weights and Measures.

Vegetables, Fruits, Nuts, and Herbs

Produce must be fresh and of the best quality and locally grown preferably by organic principles. Over-ripe vegetables and fruits must be labeled and marked as suitable for sauce or preserves.

Baked Goods, Processed Fruits and Vegetables-Jams, Preserves, Fruit Syrups and Purees, Pestos, Flavored Oils, Mustards, Vinegars, Salsas and Relishes, Dehydrated Food and Seasonings, Frozen Dairy or Fruit Products

Products should highlight local produce, seasonal ingredients and be freshly prepared by the vendor. 

Sampling of Products

Beverages and other products for consumption at the market including items offered as a “sample” must comply with VDACS and/or Health Department regulations.

Honey

Honey and bee pollen must be from the beekeeper’s own hives but may be processed and bottled off-farm.

Meat

All meat products must be 100% from animals raised from weaning by the farmer. Animals may be butchered or processed off-farm. Meat must be certified and/or inspected.

Milk/Dairy and Cheese

Milk must be from the dairyman’s own herd or creamery. Cheese and other dairy products must be made by the vendor.

Eggs

Eggs must be from the farmer’s own fowl. Eggs must be clean and labeled according to VDACS instructions. Labels are recommended that include the name of farm and date of collection.

Plants, Fresh Cut Flowers and Greens

The grower must grow potted plants and cut material. Potted plants and cut plant material must not be on the state or federal list of invasive or rare and endangered plants published by the Division of Natural Heritage.

Value-Added Products

Candles, soaps, creams, lotions, massage oils, insect repellents, and scrubs must be made by the vendor from locally grown and produced ingredients.

Seasonal and Holiday Products

Dried flower or herb bouquets, decorative berries, fruit, pods, cones pumpkins, and wreaths produced should be from materials grown or gathered on the vendor’s property.

Liability Insurance

Vendors are required to ensure that their insurance will cover off-site sales.

Certificates

When applicable, attach the appropriate state/USDA inspection certificates.

1. Organic growers must present a Certificate of Organic Production from the USDA Organic Farm Certification.
2. For cheese and other dairy products, meats, and baked goods, the producer must supply documentation of compliance with local VDACS ordinances and inspections.

Taxes, Licenses, and Permits

Vendors must have visibly displayed any licenses, certifications, and permits required by law for all products. The collection and filing of all related taxes is the responsibility of the individual vendor.

Health, Sanitation and Safety

Each vendor must abide by all state and federal regulations, which govern the production, harvest, preparation, preservation, labeling or safety of products offered for sale at the Market. Vendors are liable for their own products.

Miscellaneous

• Vendors will be responsible for the collection and removal of all refuse generated from the sales at their space.
• The use of tobacco products, alcohol or illegal substances are not permitted at the Market.
• Behavior by vendors or customers judged to be disruptive or detrimental to the peaceful operation of the Market will not be allowed.
• Small children brought to the Market by vendors must be kept under the supervision of a designated adult.
• Any unsafe or unsanitary conditions should be brought to the immediate attention of the Market Manager.
• No live animals, fowl, or fish may be sold at the Market.
• No pets with the exception of assistance dogs.
• Any accident or injury must be immediately reported to the Market Manager and 911.
• Neither Bath County Farmers Market or its representatives are responsible for damage or loss of any personal belongings.

Anyone who participates in the market, whether vendor, customer or otherwise, attends at his/her own risk. Vendors will operate at their own risk and assume liability from the customers.

If you are interested in becoming a vendor at the Bath County Farmers Market, please download the Rules, Regulations, and Vendor Application and mail it in. We look forward to working with you!

If you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact Mary at  mhhodges@tds.net  or Jackie at jackiestephenson@tds.net