The South Fork Farmers Market (Market) is created to provide an opportunity for local/regional agricultural producers to sell their products directly to the public. This venue creates an atmosphere that builds community and fosters commerce, education, understanding, and cooperation between local producers, the consumer, and the community.

The Market is managed by a nonprofit organization through a designated Market Manager as overseen by a Market Committee (the Committee). The Committee has adopted the following rules and regulations and, at any time, may amend, delete, or modify its policies, rules and regulations.

MARKET MANAGER
The Market Manager coordinates all activities involved with the functioning of the weekly Market and implements Market policies, including oversight of the Market set-up and clean-up, booth assignments, collection of fees and taxes, and reserves the right to intervene and resolve any dispute that might arise due to customer dissatisfaction.  The Market Manager has complete authority to interpret and implement Market policy.

HOURS, DATES AND LOCATION
The 2010 market will run Fridays, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. from July 2, 2010 through August 27, 2010.  The market is located in the parking lot of the South Fork Visitors Center in downtown South Fork with parking facilities adjacent to the Market area.

PRODUCT POLICIES AND GUIDELINES
Produce, Plants, and Flowers
The Market strives to provide a place where fresh and wholesome products are sold.
Farm products that can be sold at the market include vegetables, fruits, berries, herbs, nuts, flowers, plants, honey, seafood, meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products.  All products must be grown, raised, produced or gathered directly by the vendor or vendor’s employee within the State of Colorado.  On occasion, to attract particular types of products not otherwise available, the Market may allow resale of products not directly raised by the Vendor.  Resale produce must be clearly marked as such and approved in advance by the Market Manager.

Processed Goods
The Market accepts certain value added items which are grown and/or made by the vendor such as baked goods, preserves, cheese, sausage, and smoked meats or fish.  These are agricultural products, the processing, labeling and/or sales of which are regulated by government agencies.  The vendor must present copies of current facility licenses from the governing agency prior to receiving approval for sale of processed goods.  Providing taste samples is encouraged as long as the “Sampling Guidelines” are followed.  See Market Manager for written copy of Guidelines.

 Hand Crafted Items
All craft products must be handcrafted by the vendor and approved by the Market Manager. 

Prepared Foods/Concessions
Prepared food vendors must be approved by the Market Manager.  Prior to
selling at the Market, all prepared food vendors must provide documentation of appropriate Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) certification to the Market Manager.  These permits must be displayed in public view during Market hours.  All prepared food processor equipment/trailers must comply with CDPHE regulations.  (Retail Food Establishment license)

Community Service/Non-Profits
Community service booths are intended for non-profit organizations that wish to share information and make the public aware of their existence and services.  Nothing may be sold from these booths.  These booths can be incorporated into the Market on a space available basis at the discretion of the Market Manager.  Distribution of religious or political material is prohibited.

MARKET PARTICIPATION
Vendors wishing to sell at the Market must submit a completed South Fork Farmers Market application to the Market Manager prior to participation in their first event.    Vendors may only sell products that have been disclosed in their application and approved by the Market Manager.  New items that a vendor wishes to sell must be approved by the Market Manager prior to market day.

BY SIGNING THE APPLICATION, THE SELLER AGREES TO ABIDE BY THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THESE RULES.

BOOTH FEES, SALES REPORTING, AND TAXES
Fee structure is itemized in detail on the application form.

The Market Manager maintains a Sales Tax License for the entire market and will take responsibility for collection of sales taxes from all vendors.  All items sold at market are taxable at a rate of 2.0% for the Town of South Fork and 2.6% for Rio Grande County.  Vendors are responsible for paying applicable State of Colorado tax.

All vendors will be required to report the day’s gross sales to the Market Manager at the close of the market (12 pm).  Taxes and market fees will be assessed and due at that time. Vendors or paid employees are required to report ALL sales transactions for a given Market day.  Failure to do so will cancel any future participation in the South Fork Farmers Market.  Vendors will not be allowed to set up at future markets until past obligations have been cleared.

VENDOR SELECTION
Vendors are selected annually by the Market Manager.  Preference will generally be given to San Luis Valley producers but other criteria will include product mix, vendor performance and seniority.  The Market does not offer exclusive rights to vendors to sell any one product.  Market customers generally benefit from having a choice.  However, if the Market Manager believes the number of vendors offering the same or similar products is excessive, duplicate products may be denied entry.

BOOTH SIZE AND ASSIGNMENTS
The Market Manager will make all booth assignments.  Booth locations and other considerations are made at the Market Manager’s discretion taking into consideration product mix, customer flow, special promotions, and vendor seniority.

Each booth space at the Market has a possible front of 10' and is 15' deep (at least).  Vendors will be assigned one space each with the option of requesting and paying for up to two spaces. 
Vendors supply and maintain their own booth set-up and equipment.  Tables for displaying farm and food products are recommended.  Awnings or umbrellas will provide protection from sun/heat or rain.  Weights and/or bottles of sand or water are recommended to weigh down awnings.  Trash bags or rolls of flexible plastic will protect merchandise in the case of rain.
BOOTH SET-UP AND PUNCTUALITY
Booth set-up will occur from 7:00 to 8:00 am the day of market.  All vendors with assigned booths must be at their booth by 8:00 a.m. or have made prior arrangements with the Market Manager.  After 8:00 a.m. the booth space will no longer be held for assigned vendor.  Vendor vehicles may be denied access to enter the market site after 8:00 am.  At 12:00 p.m. vendors shall cease selling and promptly begin taking down their booth spaces.

BOOTH CLEAN UP
Each vendor is responsible for cleaning his/her booth area to the satisfaction of the Market Manager. This includes the bagging and removal of all trash, sweeping and if necessary washing down the booth site.  Any equipment, produce, or products left behind will be removed and discarded. 
.
PRICING
Pricing of goods sold at the Market is solely the responsibility of the individual vendor.  The spirit of commerce and fair pricing are recommended.

SIGNS AND PRODUCT REPRESENTATION
To provide information for customers, every seller must display a sign identifying the farm or seller’s name and location of the farm or business.  Any further information is optional.

Vendors desiring to market their produce as "organic" must have a photocopy of their current Colorado Organic Certification License on file with the Market Manager.  Growers who have not obtained organic certification, but farm according to standard organic practices may want to use their signage to inform customers that their products are "pesticide-free", "unsprayed", "grown without chemicals", "transitional", etc.  The Market continually seeks to engender confidence on the part of the consumer, and expects Participants to be truthful in their describing their products. 

WEIGHTS, MEASURES, AND LABELING
All weighing or measuring instruments or devices used for commercial purposes must be correct.  This ensures that buyers receive sufficient and accurate information with which to compare quantity and price.  Pre-packaged products must be labeled with the quantity and/or amount.  

LIABILITY
Vendors are strongly encouraged to obtain general liability insurance.  The South Fork Farmers Market is not responsible for any loss or damage incurred or caused by vendors.

GRIEVANCE POLICY
The Market Manager or his/her designee has the right to impose disciplinary action at the Market site.  In the event of customer dissatisfaction, the dispute must be resolved to the satisfaction of the customer and Market Manager in a timely manner.  Failure to do so will result in expulsion from the Market.  The Market Manager has the authority to grant exceptions to Market policies on an individual basis for reasons of dire need.  Should any vendor, at any time, occupy the premises in a manner contrary to this agreement, upon request of the Market Manager, the vendor shall immediately cease such offending conduct.  Failure to immediately comply as requested shall be cause for the revocation of Market privileges and expulsion from the Market.  Upon revocation, vendor shall promptly vacate premises.  Upon failure to vacate, the Market shall remove all property of the vendor from the premises at vendor’s expense. The Market is relieved and discharged from any/all loss or damage caused by such removal.  The Market shall not be responsible for storage or safekeeping of property so removed.

These rules are to help make a smooth running market without problems. Your suggestions are always welcome and your compliance will help all of us to have a fun and successful season.