How to Become a Vendor
Thank you for your interest in vending at the Northside Farmers Market.
Understanding and agreeing to these Policies and Guidelines is necessary for your participation and success.
We appreciate your support and cooperation.
Now accepting applications for Summer 2023! Fill out the application below to begin the process.
ABOUT US
The Northside Farmers Market (NFM) has been in existence since 2002. It began as a couple of vendors selling out of the back of their trucks in a parking lot during the summer and has become a year-round farmers market that was ranked 3rd Best Farmers Market by CityBeat in 2021. To strengthen our community support, we became a project of the Northside Community Council, a 501(c)(3). Northside Farmers Market is governed by a board of directors made up of vendors, frequent shoppers, a representative of the Northside Community Council, and a representative of the Northside Business Association.
We have a three-fold mission that drives every decision the market makes:
LOCATION
Our market is located behind Heart of Northside (formerly NorthChurch), 4222 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45223. There is a chance that there will be construction taking place this Summer, so our location may change to accommodate that. We will let you know in advance if a location change will occur.
CONTACTS
You can reach the Market Manager by email at northsidefarmersmarket@gmail.com or by text or voice at 513-614-3671. Our Assistant Manager can be found on-site during Market at the Information booth
Website
www.northsidefm.org
Facebook
www.facebook.com/CinciNorthsideFarmersMarket
Instagram
www.instagram.com/northsidefarmersmarket
Pinterest
www.pinterest.com/northsidefarmer
Twitter
www.twitter.com/NsideFarmersMkt
MARKET HOURS AND SEASON
NFM’s Summer Market runs from May 10 to October 11. It is open every Wednesday from 4-7pm.
The market is a pre-order, walk-up, and curbside pickup market. Modifications will be necessary if COVID-19 cases make it unsafe to operate under our current process. This will be determined by NFM’s Board of Directors, informed by guidance by the CDC, Cincinnati Health Department, and other officials, on a month-by-month basis. You will be notified as soon as possible if the market format changes.
I. WHO CAN SELL WHAT
Products sold at the Northside Farmers Market are generally limited to six categories, listed below as A though F. Each vendor’s application must detail exactly what products the vendor intends to sell. The vendor must be an active owner/operator or employee of the business and may not be operating the business under a franchise agreement. Vendors may only sell products listed on their applications. If a vendor wishes to later add or discontinue a product, they must inform the Market Manager. Requests for adding new products to sell will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
Vendors are individually responsible for conforming to all city, state, and federal laws, including the securing of any licenses required in connection with the operation of their Market space.
Vendors are allowed to sell up to 5 items they did not produce themselves during the Winter Market. These items must be produced within 70 miles of Northside. They must be labelled as non-vendor produced items with information about where the item comes from.
Any violation of these rules will result in the product being automatically removed from the vendor’s tables and possible revocation of the vendor’s Permit to Sell. Interpretation of this rule is at the Market Manager’s discretion.
A. FRESH FARM PRODUCTS: Fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs, nuts, honey, dairy products, eggs, poultry, mushrooms, meats, fish and shellfish. Also included are fresh cut flowers, nursery stock, and plants. All fresh farm products must be grown or produced within 70 miles of Northside and grown, produced, or foraged by the farmer/vendor selling them. Foraged mushrooms are not allowed to be sold at the Market.
Only farmers, ranchers, fishers, apiaries, and nurseries may sell fresh farm products. Honey vendors must be the owner-operators of bee hives from which they sell honey. Vendors must be active owners/operators or employees of the farming operation and may not be operating the business under a franchise agreement. All dairy, eggs, poultry, honey, meats, fish, shellfish must have the proper permits and licenses as required by the Ohio Department of Agriculture and Cincinnati Health Department, or your respective department of health. Vendors are individually responsible for conforming to all city, state, and federal laws, including the securing of any licenses required in connection with the operation of their Market space.
B. VALUE-ADDED FARM FOODS: Includes preserved foods, jams, jellies, juices, cider, syrups, salsas, broth, smoked or canned meats or fish, dried fruit, flours, and salad dressings.
All value-added farm foods must be made from raw products and ingredients, a majority of which are grown and produced by the farmer vendor, and produced on their farms or in a licensed facility according to state and federal regulations. The vendor must also be the creator of the value-added farm foods being sold (i.e. personally cooking, canning, baking, or preserving the product itself or supervising their own raw ingredients used in accordance with their own recipes in a permitted facility). State/Federal labeling regulations must be followed. All processed value-added farm foods must carry product liability insurance.
C. HOME AND BODY PRODUCTS: Includes soaps, lotions, detergents, salves, candles, lip balm, room spray, and cleaning supplies. The vendor must be the creator of the crafted home and body products being sold.
D. PROCESSED FOODS: Includes preserved foods, jams, jellies, juices, cider, syrups, salsas, smoked or canned meats or fish, dried fruit, salad dressings, breads, pastries, baked goods, pasta, granola, tea, and related take-home foods.
Processed foods must be produced by the vendor from raw ingredients in a licensed facility according to state and federal guidelines. Vendors in this category are those who have cooked, baked or otherwise treated the product they sell, but have not raised the ingredients themselves. State/Federal labeling regulations must be followed.
E. PREPARED FOODS: Includes freshly-made foods and drinks available for sale and immediate consumption, such as salads, pizza, sandwiches, tamales, drinks, and crepes. Vendor is responsible for securing a Mobile Food License from the City or their local Health Department, if required.
F. ART AND CRAFTS: Beeswax candles, tie dyed clothing, knitted items, upcycled items, textiles, pottery, wreaths, roping, vine and woven wood baskets, books, arrangements and displays of fresh and dried flowers, vegetables, vines and gourds. Other non-edible crafted farm products will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The Northside Farmers Market may allow, on a limited, case-by-case basis, vendors selling high quality art and craft items that promote our mission of supporting local artisans. Priority is given to local artists and craft persons. Generally, we invite art and craft vendors from Thanksgiving to Christmas, but may have events other times of the year that would warrant art and craft vendors at the Market.
II. HOW PARTICIPATION IS DETERMINED
The Market grants Permits to Sell based on the Market's need to balance available produce with a well-rounded product mix. The Market strives to meet the needs of participating vendors and our goal of creating a vibrant and successful Market.
A. MARKET STAFF: The Market Manager and Assistant Market Manager’s jobs are to implement Market policies. This includes overseeing vendor participation and booth assignments, set-up, collection of fees, providing information on Market policies, and assuring vendor compliance. The Market staff are also responsible for public concerns and vendor concerns. The Market staff has complete authority to interpret and implement policy on the Market site, as necessary, and to make all decisions regarding Market participation, booth assignments and other Market operations.
B. PARTICIPATION is determined by the Market Board of Directors, whose job is to provide a healthy, viable mix of new and current vendors, including experienced vendors with a proven record of consistent quality and variety. The goal is to create an economically successful and sustainable farmers market, while also providing increasing opportunities for new vendors to sell their products directly to customers.
Decisions are based on available space in the Market, the need for specific products, vendor’s fit with Market mission and demographics, and vendor’s performance history. Criteria for evaluating vendor performance will include: ability to follow Market policies and Market staff’s directions (e.g., communication, punctuality, clean-up, weights, signage, advance notification when canceling, etc), product quality, visual display, sales history, and record of no outstanding balances.
The goal of the Northside Farmers Market is to create a Market vendor mix with at least 50% farmers. Northside Farmers Market is also committed to supporting and helping incubate smaller start-up businesses and artisans in vendor categories D, E and F, when possible. Priority is given to returning vendors.
III. HOW BOOTH ASSIGNMENTS ARE MADE
BOOTH ASSIGNMENTS are made by the Market based on the following criteria: (1) available space in the Market, (2) the need for a specific product and the vendor’s ability to provide it, and (3) vendor seniority.
Participation in the Market is not a guarantee of a particular booth location. The Market Manager will make every attempt to keep booth space assignments consistent throughout the season. However, booth assignments will change over the course of the season in order to maximize shopper experience, make the best use of Market space, and provide a good mix of products
IV. 2023 SUMMER MARKET PARTICIPATION FEESThe vendor agrees to pay the following fees for one 10’ x 10’ space. Full payment is due by May 17th. If not paid in full by the due date, a fee of $50 for full season and $25 for half season will be added to your payment.
Vendors new to the market will receive 2 free market days to test the waters and be sure it is a good fit. To support our new vendors, any vendor with the Market 2 years or less may sign up to pay the reduced fee.
Vendors will be emailed an invoice through Intuit Quickbooks. It can be paid online by ACH (preferable to avoid fees) or credit card. Or, vendors may pay in cash in person or check by mail or directly in person to Market staff any Market day. Make checks payable to Northside Farmers Market, LLC.
Please mail check to Northside Farmers Market, LLC., c/o CAIN, 4230 Hamilton Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45223.
A. FULL SUMMER MARKET FEE, paid in full by due date: $425.00
B. FULL SUMMER MARKET FEE FOR VENDORS WITH NFM 2 YEARS OR LESS, paid in full by due date: $350.00
C. HALF SUMMER MARKET FEE, paid in full by due date: $215.00
D. HALF SUMMER MARKET FEE FOR VENDORS WITH NFM 2 YEARS OR LESS, paid in full by due date: $175
E. 4 MARKET DAYS, paid in full by due date: $90.00
F. OCCASIONAL VENDOR FEE, paid on day of attendance: $30.00
G. WEEKLY VENDOR FEE, paid on day of attendance: $25.00*
*Weekly vendor agrees to be at all Summer Markets. If the vendor misses more than 3 Market days (excluding absences due to emergency or inclement weather), then the vendor may no longer be eligible for the weekly rate.
H. FULL SUMMER NON-PROFIT MARKET FEE, paid on day of attendance: $150.00
I. OCCASIONAL NON-PROFIT FEE, paid on day of attendance: $15.00
V. QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants must meet the following criteria to apply:
Please do not apply unless all criteria have been met.
VI. HOW TO BECOME A VENDOR
The Northside Farmers Market (NFM) has been in existence since 2002. It began as a couple of vendors selling out of the back of their trucks in a parking lot during the summer and has become a year-round farmers market that was ranked 3rd Best Farmers Market by CityBeat in 2021. To strengthen our community support, we became a project of the Northside Community Council, a 501(c)(3). Northside Farmers Market is governed by a board of directors made up of vendors, frequent shoppers, a representative of the Northside Community Council, and a representative of the Northside Business Association.
We have a three-fold mission that drives every decision the market makes:
- To support our urban community by increasing access to healthful and affordable foods;
- To be a vibrant social and educational hub providing to our community the tools to discover and increase consumption of local foods;
- To support our local food producers by working to create a viable business venue in which to sell their products.
LOCATION
Our market is located behind Heart of Northside (formerly NorthChurch), 4222 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45223. There is a chance that there will be construction taking place this Summer, so our location may change to accommodate that. We will let you know in advance if a location change will occur.
CONTACTS
You can reach the Market Manager by email at northsidefarmersmarket@gmail.com or by text or voice at 513-614-3671. Our Assistant Manager can be found on-site during Market at the Information booth
Website
www.northsidefm.org
www.facebook.com/CinciNorthsideFarmersMarket
www.instagram.com/northsidefarmersmarket
www.pinterest.com/northsidefarmer
www.twitter.com/NsideFarmersMkt
MARKET HOURS AND SEASON
NFM’s Summer Market runs from May 10 to October 11. It is open every Wednesday from 4-7pm.
The market is a pre-order, walk-up, and curbside pickup market. Modifications will be necessary if COVID-19 cases make it unsafe to operate under our current process. This will be determined by NFM’s Board of Directors, informed by guidance by the CDC, Cincinnati Health Department, and other officials, on a month-by-month basis. You will be notified as soon as possible if the market format changes.
I. WHO CAN SELL WHAT
Products sold at the Northside Farmers Market are generally limited to six categories, listed below as A though F. Each vendor’s application must detail exactly what products the vendor intends to sell. The vendor must be an active owner/operator or employee of the business and may not be operating the business under a franchise agreement. Vendors may only sell products listed on their applications. If a vendor wishes to later add or discontinue a product, they must inform the Market Manager. Requests for adding new products to sell will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
Vendors are individually responsible for conforming to all city, state, and federal laws, including the securing of any licenses required in connection with the operation of their Market space.
Vendors are allowed to sell up to 5 items they did not produce themselves during the Winter Market. These items must be produced within 70 miles of Northside. They must be labelled as non-vendor produced items with information about where the item comes from.
Any violation of these rules will result in the product being automatically removed from the vendor’s tables and possible revocation of the vendor’s Permit to Sell. Interpretation of this rule is at the Market Manager’s discretion.
A. FRESH FARM PRODUCTS: Fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs, nuts, honey, dairy products, eggs, poultry, mushrooms, meats, fish and shellfish. Also included are fresh cut flowers, nursery stock, and plants. All fresh farm products must be grown or produced within 70 miles of Northside and grown, produced, or foraged by the farmer/vendor selling them. Foraged mushrooms are not allowed to be sold at the Market.
Only farmers, ranchers, fishers, apiaries, and nurseries may sell fresh farm products. Honey vendors must be the owner-operators of bee hives from which they sell honey. Vendors must be active owners/operators or employees of the farming operation and may not be operating the business under a franchise agreement. All dairy, eggs, poultry, honey, meats, fish, shellfish must have the proper permits and licenses as required by the Ohio Department of Agriculture and Cincinnati Health Department, or your respective department of health. Vendors are individually responsible for conforming to all city, state, and federal laws, including the securing of any licenses required in connection with the operation of their Market space.
B. VALUE-ADDED FARM FOODS: Includes preserved foods, jams, jellies, juices, cider, syrups, salsas, broth, smoked or canned meats or fish, dried fruit, flours, and salad dressings.
All value-added farm foods must be made from raw products and ingredients, a majority of which are grown and produced by the farmer vendor, and produced on their farms or in a licensed facility according to state and federal regulations. The vendor must also be the creator of the value-added farm foods being sold (i.e. personally cooking, canning, baking, or preserving the product itself or supervising their own raw ingredients used in accordance with their own recipes in a permitted facility). State/Federal labeling regulations must be followed. All processed value-added farm foods must carry product liability insurance.
C. HOME AND BODY PRODUCTS: Includes soaps, lotions, detergents, salves, candles, lip balm, room spray, and cleaning supplies. The vendor must be the creator of the crafted home and body products being sold.
D. PROCESSED FOODS: Includes preserved foods, jams, jellies, juices, cider, syrups, salsas, smoked or canned meats or fish, dried fruit, salad dressings, breads, pastries, baked goods, pasta, granola, tea, and related take-home foods.
Processed foods must be produced by the vendor from raw ingredients in a licensed facility according to state and federal guidelines. Vendors in this category are those who have cooked, baked or otherwise treated the product they sell, but have not raised the ingredients themselves. State/Federal labeling regulations must be followed.
E. PREPARED FOODS: Includes freshly-made foods and drinks available for sale and immediate consumption, such as salads, pizza, sandwiches, tamales, drinks, and crepes. Vendor is responsible for securing a Mobile Food License from the City or their local Health Department, if required.
F. ART AND CRAFTS: Beeswax candles, tie dyed clothing, knitted items, upcycled items, textiles, pottery, wreaths, roping, vine and woven wood baskets, books, arrangements and displays of fresh and dried flowers, vegetables, vines and gourds. Other non-edible crafted farm products will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The Northside Farmers Market may allow, on a limited, case-by-case basis, vendors selling high quality art and craft items that promote our mission of supporting local artisans. Priority is given to local artists and craft persons. Generally, we invite art and craft vendors from Thanksgiving to Christmas, but may have events other times of the year that would warrant art and craft vendors at the Market.
II. HOW PARTICIPATION IS DETERMINED
The Market grants Permits to Sell based on the Market's need to balance available produce with a well-rounded product mix. The Market strives to meet the needs of participating vendors and our goal of creating a vibrant and successful Market.
A. MARKET STAFF: The Market Manager and Assistant Market Manager’s jobs are to implement Market policies. This includes overseeing vendor participation and booth assignments, set-up, collection of fees, providing information on Market policies, and assuring vendor compliance. The Market staff are also responsible for public concerns and vendor concerns. The Market staff has complete authority to interpret and implement policy on the Market site, as necessary, and to make all decisions regarding Market participation, booth assignments and other Market operations.
B. PARTICIPATION is determined by the Market Board of Directors, whose job is to provide a healthy, viable mix of new and current vendors, including experienced vendors with a proven record of consistent quality and variety. The goal is to create an economically successful and sustainable farmers market, while also providing increasing opportunities for new vendors to sell their products directly to customers.
Decisions are based on available space in the Market, the need for specific products, vendor’s fit with Market mission and demographics, and vendor’s performance history. Criteria for evaluating vendor performance will include: ability to follow Market policies and Market staff’s directions (e.g., communication, punctuality, clean-up, weights, signage, advance notification when canceling, etc), product quality, visual display, sales history, and record of no outstanding balances.
The goal of the Northside Farmers Market is to create a Market vendor mix with at least 50% farmers. Northside Farmers Market is also committed to supporting and helping incubate smaller start-up businesses and artisans in vendor categories D, E and F, when possible. Priority is given to returning vendors.
III. HOW BOOTH ASSIGNMENTS ARE MADE
BOOTH ASSIGNMENTS are made by the Market based on the following criteria: (1) available space in the Market, (2) the need for a specific product and the vendor’s ability to provide it, and (3) vendor seniority.
Participation in the Market is not a guarantee of a particular booth location. The Market Manager will make every attempt to keep booth space assignments consistent throughout the season. However, booth assignments will change over the course of the season in order to maximize shopper experience, make the best use of Market space, and provide a good mix of products
IV. 2023 SUMMER MARKET PARTICIPATION FEESThe vendor agrees to pay the following fees for one 10’ x 10’ space. Full payment is due by May 17th. If not paid in full by the due date, a fee of $50 for full season and $25 for half season will be added to your payment.
Vendors new to the market will receive 2 free market days to test the waters and be sure it is a good fit. To support our new vendors, any vendor with the Market 2 years or less may sign up to pay the reduced fee.
Vendors will be emailed an invoice through Intuit Quickbooks. It can be paid online by ACH (preferable to avoid fees) or credit card. Or, vendors may pay in cash in person or check by mail or directly in person to Market staff any Market day. Make checks payable to Northside Farmers Market, LLC.
Please mail check to Northside Farmers Market, LLC., c/o CAIN, 4230 Hamilton Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45223.
A. FULL SUMMER MARKET FEE, paid in full by due date: $425.00
B. FULL SUMMER MARKET FEE FOR VENDORS WITH NFM 2 YEARS OR LESS, paid in full by due date: $350.00
C. HALF SUMMER MARKET FEE, paid in full by due date: $215.00
D. HALF SUMMER MARKET FEE FOR VENDORS WITH NFM 2 YEARS OR LESS, paid in full by due date: $175
E. 4 MARKET DAYS, paid in full by due date: $90.00
F. OCCASIONAL VENDOR FEE, paid on day of attendance: $30.00
G. WEEKLY VENDOR FEE, paid on day of attendance: $25.00*
*Weekly vendor agrees to be at all Summer Markets. If the vendor misses more than 3 Market days (excluding absences due to emergency or inclement weather), then the vendor may no longer be eligible for the weekly rate.
H. FULL SUMMER NON-PROFIT MARKET FEE, paid on day of attendance: $150.00
I. OCCASIONAL NON-PROFIT FEE, paid on day of attendance: $15.00
V. QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants must meet the following criteria to apply:
- Grow or produce your items within 70 miles of Northside.
- Carry liability insurance and add Northside Farmers Market, LLC as an additional insured, after acceptance.
- Conform to all city, state, and federal laws, including the securing of any licenses required in connection with the operation of my Market booth.
- Vendors must have a copy of every license and/or permit legally required by the ODA/USDA, State of Ohio, Hamilton County Health Department, and the Cincinnati Health Department, or your respective state and local inspecting agencies in order to conduct business. Copies of these items must also be supplied during the application process. Vendors selling non-consumable items are responsible for collecting and reporting sales tax on their own. Food vendors must comply with all guidelines of the USDA, FDA, ODA, DOH, other State of Ohio authorities, if required, Hamilton County Health Department, Cincinnati Health Department, and any other legal authority with jurisdiction over their products. Processed foods require labels that comply with all state and local labeling codes, including the producer’s name, address, complete list of ingredients (including allergy warnings), and net weight, in accordance with state and federal guidelines.
Please do not apply unless all criteria have been met.
VI. HOW TO BECOME A VENDOR
- Submit a 2023 Summer application to the NFM Manager via Google Form.
- The NFM Manager will present your application and product information to our board of directors and they will make a decision, based on the vendors we currently have, space, and fit of product.
- The NFM Manager will reach out to you with the board's decision.