VENDOR APPLICATION
Thank you for your interest in being a handmade vendor at the 2024 Lac du Bonnet Farmers Market! The 2024 season is our 34th year of operation.
This year’s market season will begin May 18, 2024, and continue every Saturday through Thanksgiving weekend October 12, 2024. Markets after September long weekend (August 31st, 2024) will be at a reduced rate. Market hours are 10am to 1pm on regular Saturdays, 10am - 2pm on the Saturday of a long weekend.
Every market will be held in the parking lot at the Lac du Bonnet Arena/Community Centre, unless otherwise notified.
Applications are open to existing market members March 1 to March 31, 2024. Applications for new vendors will open April 1, 2024, and close May 1, 2024
All Required health permits, commercial kitchen permits, etc. must be submitted to the market executive PRIOR to attending a market. Vendors are responsible for ensuring their permits are up to date at all times.
Once again, we look forward to a successful partnership with each of our vendors, and a wonderful 2024 market season!
-Your Executive Team
MISSION STATEMENT:
Our mission is to provide an opportunity for local farmers, food producers, and artists to sell their products directly to the consumer in a clean, friendly, and community orientated environment.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
This booklet contains details, procedures, policies rules, regulations, and general guidelines for all farmers' market vendors. It does not substitute for individual category specifications, which may have additional guidelines. All products must be made, baked or grown by the vendor. Commercial products are not allowed to be sold at the market. All vendors must comply with all Manitoba and federal laws. statutes, ordinances, and labeling requirements.
MARKET SEASON AND HOURS:
The market season will begin on the Saturday of the May long weekend, and will run each Saturday from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm, throughout the summer and fall, until Thanksgiving weekend. Markets that are on a Saturday of a long weekend will run from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE LAC DU BONNET FARMERS' MARKET?
The Lac du Bonnet Farmers' Market will provide members with:
· A commercially desirable location to offer their products for sale to other Manitobans, Canadians, and tourists. The Farmers' market is a sales outlet through which members can determine the acceptability/profitability of a new product or idea. It affords the vendor the opportunity to gain commercial experience without investing a lot of money.
· Cost effective advertising and marketing.
· Optional Liability insurance protection is available at a reduced cost through Direct Farm group purchasing.
· The opportunity to interact with and share the camaraderie of others with similar interests and values, while enhancing your economic well being.
WHO CAN SELL AT THE MARKET?
If you MAKE IT, BAKE IT, PICK IT or GROW IT, you can apply to be a member of the Lac du Bonnet Farmers' Market. This will be subject to the requirements of the local health regulations.
Only paid members will be allowed to sell at the weekly Farmers' Market. No markets may be attended until outstanding fees are cleared.
The eligibility to participate in CHRISTMAS MARKET is determined by the number of outdoor markets attended in the first 16 weeks.
The executive board will make every reasonable effort to limit the amount of "like items" for the market.
HOW DO YOU BECOME A MEMBER?
To become a member of the Lac du Bonnet Farmers' Market you must:
· Fill out a membership application form & agree to abide by the rules, regulations, guidelines, and bylaws of the Lac du Bonnet Farmers' Market.
· Be approved for membership by the executive of the Lac du Bonnet Farmers' market.
· Pay the $20 yearly membership fee within one week of application acceptance.
Membership fees cover your market membership from May 1st to April 30th. First year members are not eligible to vote at the AGM.
WHAT ARE THE MARKET FEES?
In addition to the yearly $20 membership fee, the casual market fee is $20 per Saturday, payable each market day upon arrival.
If you choose to pay for the first 16 markets from May long weekend to September long weekend, the fee for the season will be discounted to $15.00 per day, totaling $240.00 and will need to be submitted in full within a week of your accepted application. Vendors who attend Saturdays after September long until Thanksgiving weekend pay a reduced rate of $10 per Saturday payable upon arrival.
Each vendor will be provided with approximately 10 linear feet of display frontage. Vendors are limited to 1 space per market. Those requiring/occupying more display area will be charged an additional $20.00 for each 10-foot multiple of frontage used. This will be at the discretion of the executive, and as space allows. Existing vendors holding multiple spaces are grandfathered in.
Youth vendors (17 and younger during market season) receive special pricing of $5 per week. To qualify as a youth vendor, the youth must make the majority of production with minimal adult assistance. If you wish to pay for the full regular season upfront, it will be $100 ($20 membership + $5 x 16 weeks $80)
We accept membership fees & yearly market fees by e-transfer or cheque. Cheques can be mailed to PO Box 1899 Lac Du Bonnet MB R0E 1A0. E-transfers can be sent to ldbfarmersmarket@gmail.com Password: market. Please include your business name on your e-transfer/cheque as it appears on your application.
WHO OVERSEES THE FARMERS' MARKET?
The executive of the Lac du Bonnet Farmers' Market oversees the weekly market. They are responsible for enforcing all applicable rules, guidelines & bylaws, and for making on the spot decisions that may be required to allow the market to function in an orderly, harmonious fashion.
Current Market Executive
President - Alison Chevrier
Vice President - Joanne Dyer
Treasurer - Norm Lussier
Secretary – Fiona Moore
Marketing - Laura Kitson
Once accepted to the market, you will be asked to join our private market vendor Facebook group. This group is required for confirming market attendance, information on upcoming markets & events, to share product pics & meet your fellow vendors.
LAC DU BONNET FARMERS' MARKET RULES AND REGULATIONS
1: HEALTH & SAFETY
• All applicants must agree to abide by all Lac du Bonnet Farmers’ Market procedures, policies, rules, regulations, and general guidelines. In addition, all vendors are required to read and abide by the Manitoba Health Farmers’ Market Guidelines
• It is the responsibility of each vendor to ensure that all products sold comply with all Manitoba and Federal laws, statutes, ordinances, and labeling requirements. Vendors are responsible for contacting relevant agencies for clarification of any requirements. Food vendors who require a Manitoba Health permit to sell potentially hazardous foods as outlined in the Manitoba Farmers Market guidelines must upload a copy of any required Province of Manitoba permits before acceptance can be finalized. Liquor vendors must be granted a temporary retail location permit by the Province of Manitoba LGCA which is applied for after acceptance as a vendor. A copy of the licence must be submitted prior to attending any markets. Health care products must provide proof of registration with Health Canada and be properly labeled.
• Vendors must use new food packaging for all processed food products. In order to protect themselves and their customers, vendors of all processed food products must label their products. Labels must indicate all of the ingredients in the product, beginning with the largest ingredient, by weight. Labels must also show the name, address, and phone number of the vendor, such that, if needed, the vendor can be contacted by the health authorities.
• Vendors shall not be allowed to sell meat, poultry, or milk products unless they have the appropriate permit from the health authorities. All vendors that have their own permits with the Health Dept. must submit a copy to the executive.
• If an inspection of a vendor is requested by another vendor and the allegations of not following the market rules are unfounded, the requesting vendor will be subject to a $75 charge to cover the travel expenses related to providing the inspection. The Executive reserves the right to carry out vendor inspections on any vendor, at any time, at their own discretion.
The Lac du Bonnet Farmers’ Market has adopted a “no pets allowed” policy, inside the market area. This applies to vendors as well as customers.
For specific information on health matters vendors should contact the Health Inspector for our area, Carmen Cross 204-785-5211
2: VENDOR STALLS / DISPLAYS / EQUIPMENT
• Vendors must provide their own tents with weights, tables, chairs, display equipment etc. and must remove same at the end of the market day. Market equipment may not be left on site outside of the market hours.
• All tables must be covered with a clean, appropriate table covering.
• All canopies MUST be secured using appropriate weights. Pegs will NOT be allowed for safety reasons. If your tent is not properly secured, you will be required to remove it. Any damage caused by an unsecured tent, display, etc. is solely the financial responsibility of the vendor.
• Vendors are not allowed to extend their stall beyond their stall size, all signage and displays are to fall within your marked space.
• Please refrain from using any signage that compares your products to another vendors product in a negative way. For example: “My natural lotion is better than those containing chemicals.”
• Booth sharing with a nonmarket member is prohibited.
3: VENDOR STALL ALLOCATION
• Vendors will be assigned a stall at the discretion of the Executive.
• Vendors need to be aware that the possibility exists, on any weekend, that you may not be able to have your vehicle parked with you at your stall.
• Confirmation or cancellation of market attendance must be sent through Facebook market vendor group (preferred) or by text to Norm Lussier @ (204) 340-0429, prior to 6:00 pm on the preceding Wednesday.
• With the exception of the May long weekend, a vendor must attend one regular market in weeks prior to the long weekend in order to secure a spot for that weekend.
• In order to attend a Long Weekend Market vendors will have to participate on AT LEAST ONE of the following dates to qualify:
• Canada Day Long Weekend - Must attend at least one of May 25, June 1, June 8, June 15, June 22
• August Long Weekend - Must attend at least one of July 6, July 13, July 20, July 27
• September Long Weekend - Must attend at least one of August 10, August 17, August 24
4: MARKET START / END TIMES
• Vendors must be in their designated stall area by 9:30 am and set up and ready to sell by the 10:00 am opening of the market. If you have not arrived by 9:30 am (without prior notice) it will be assumed you are not showing, and your space may be given up.
• There are ABSOLUTELY NO vehicles allowed to travel through the market area after 9:30 am until after market close & most customers have vacated the space. If you arrive after 9:30 am you agree to park your vehicle in the designated parking area and transport your items to your booth.
• Vendors are not permitted to set up before 8:00 am.
• It is understood and accepted by all members that market sales will begin at 10:00 am. Vendors are to advise customers that they cannot process their items for purchase, and they must wait for the 10:00 am horn to begin their shopping.
• Pre-orders are allowed to be picked up PRIOR to 9:30 am, and the sale must be done discreetly (preferably at the rear of the vendors tent, or off market property). Vendors are permitted to sell to other vendors prior to open but are not required to do so. Please be respectful of others during set up time.
• Vendors are NOT permitted to dismantle their stalls and leave early (unless prior approval by the executive has been granted). Stalls need to remain set up until the market closes.
• Vendors who insist on leaving early without prior approval from the executive will be subject to a $20 fine for a first offence and will have their membership revoked after a second offence.
• Vendors who confirm attendance, then do not show up for the market without contacting the executive prior to 8am will be required to pay the $20 market fee before attending another market.
5: PRODUCT CONSIGNMENT
According to farmers' market guidelines, product consignment is prohibited.
6: VENDOR RESPONSIBILITIES
• Vendors must cooperate fully with the executive and abide by their decisions. Vendors must also cooperate fully with health authorities when they visit the market.
• Vendors must not create excessive noise on their site. i.e.: generators, idling vehicles, music, etc. during market hours.
• If vendors require use of a generator, please be mindful of your neighbors and bring a sound barrier/reflector.
• Vendors are not permitted to smoke within their allotted stall area.
• Vendors pets are not allowed within the market area.
• Vendors are asked to show discretion when eating or drinking at their tables when customers are present.
• Vendors are responsible for any garbage generated by your samples, promotional material, business cards, packaging, etc. in your booth space & in the common market area. Samples & materials may only be handed out within your booth space only. Samples and materials may never be distributed directly in front of other vendor booths as this impedes their business. Any food samples must be prepared, stored and distributed in a sanitary manner.
• The garbage cans at the market are for customer use. Please do not fill these cans with personal garbage, either take your garbage with you or dispose of in the bins after the market if space permits.
• It is expected that vendors will occasionally volunteer time at the end of the market day to assist with putting away equipment, disposing of garbage etc.
• Washroom facilities are available at the side entrance of the arena, please do not use the Chicken Chef washrooms.
7. VENDOR RELATIONS:
The LDB Farmers Market encourages all its participants to support, encourage and help one another. If for any reason vendor “A” has a concern or question regarding the practices of another, vendor “B”, vendor “A” agrees to speak with the market President or Vice President. If the Executive is asked to take action on a vendor complaint, there is a formal complaint form that MUST be filled out BEFORE an executive member will become involved.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH MANITOBA LAWS, THIS MARKET DOES NOT TOLERATE AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR, VERBAL ABUSE, OR HARASSMENT, EITHER IN PERSON OR THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA, OF ANY BOARD MEMBER, STAFF, FELLOW VENDORS, CUSTOMERS, VISITORS OR VOLUNTEERS. INAPPROPRIATE ACTION MAY RESULT IN REFUSAL OF SERVICE, BEING ASKED TO LEAVE, OR CONTACTING LOCAL AUTHORITIES. THE EXECUTIVE HOLD THE RIGHT TO ASK ANYONE UPSETTING THE HARMONIOUS OPERATION OF THE MARKET TO LEAVE THE PREMISES. THOSE PERSONS MAY FACE EXPULSION FROM ALL FUTURE MARKET DATES.