Market Mission
The Townshend Common Farmers' Market (TCFM) formed to support local agriculture bringing farmers and local food producers together with residents and visitors of the West River Valley.

Structure
During this initial year of the TCFM, Post Oil Solutions hopes to organize a membership committee to plan the future of this new market.  It is our goal to form a steering committee of market organizers, vendors and community members to participate in developing the future structure of this market keeping to the core values of supporting local agriculture and offering direct access to local food.

Membership is open to all vendors participating in the market at least 50% of market days (or 8 out of 16 markets). The annual membership fee is $50.  Each membership allows one vote at meetings and a permanent spot at the market.  In addition to vendor members, 10% of the membership can be held by non-vendor residents of Townshend who are interested in supporting and actively participating in the future of this market.  

Applications
All vendors, full season and day, are required to complete an application prior to vending at the market.  Applications must contain a complete list of products to be sold at the market.  Any changes to that list must be approved by the market management.

Vendor Fees
The market is organized to serve the needs of the vendors and their customers.  Fees collected from all vendors will go to cover insurance, advertising, supplies, and general costs of operating the market. The fee structure will be re-evaluated mid summer when we have actual market history to draw from.  If the market is doing well and projected to be well ahead of operating expenses the fee structure outlined below will be modified accordingly.

Vendors may chose to pay a Full Season booth fee of $160 which confers a guaranteed space at all 16 markets between June 5 and September 25.  

Day vendors will pay a $10 booth fee for each day they vend at the market as space allows and/or as dictated by policies related to the percentage of non-food vendors at the market. Day vendors must inform the manager at least 1 week in advance of each market in which they plan to participate.

All vendors will pay a 10% commission on the first $100 of daily sales.  No commission will be charged on sales over $100.

All vendors are responsible for reporting gross sales figures to the market manager at the close of each market.   A market sales slip will be included in their weekly market envelope to be returned to the manager along with their commission and the booth fee for day vendors.  Collection of any Vermont state sales tax is the responsibility of the vendor.

Any vendor selling products by weight must use scales capable of being inspected and certified as accurate.

Spaces
All spaces will be 12' x 10'.  The Market Manager will make all decisions about space assignments.  To the best of our ability, the market management will give Full Season vendors the same location each week. Day vendors will be assigned a space on a first come first serve basis.  Any vendor with a physical condition or other circumstance that requires a special accommodation should discuss this with the market manager in advance.

Market Operation Dates & Times
The market will operate on Thursdays from June 5, 2008 to September 25, 2008 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM.  There will be NO MARKET on Thursday July 31, 2008 when preparations will be underway on the Common for the annual Hospital Fair Days event.

All vendors are required to be present throughout the hours of operation unless previously granted permission otherwise by the management.  Vendors are requested to be present and completely set up 10 minutes prior to the opening of the market at 4:00 PM.  Unused spaces will be assigned to day vendors at 3:30 PM.

Shared Booths
Small agricultural vendors only are allowed to share a single booth with another vendor.  This policy is intended to make participation in the market viable for small local farmers.  The following conditions must apply:  1) Each vendor must pay the $50 membership fee.  2) Each vendor must pay commissions separately.  3) Each vendor must have a knowledgeable representative present to handle sales and questions about their products.

Absences
Empty spaces at the market are detriment to your fellow vendors.  Therefore, all seasonal vendors must notify the market manager within 24 hours of a market if they will not be present.  Failure to notify the manager will result in a $10 fee, the amount that the market could have collected if the space had been rented to a day vendor.

Guidelines for Use of the Townshend Common:
1. No vehicles are allowed on the Common.  If you vend from the back of your vehicle, we will try to locate your booth where that is possible.
2. We are a carry in/carry out Market! Please provide trash receptacles for any waste you will produce.  You will be responsible for removing that waste at the end of the market.  Eco-friendly disposables should be used whenever possible.
3. No public bathrooms. You will be updated on efforts to provide access to nearby facilities for vendors.
4. The Common is shared by children from the Townshend Elementary School as their playground for recess.  Please keep that in mind as you arrive and leave each week. Vendors are responsible for leaving their booth area clean and in the condition it was when they arrived.
5. Parking.  Appropriate parking areas for vendors will be noted the first market day.  Please see the market manager for questions about parking.
6. Traffic.  Vendors will avoid actions that may create a potential traffic hazard in the vicinity of the Townshend Common.

Market Criteria & Product Requirements
The TCFM is a producers-only market, meaning that all products sold must be grown, produced or made by the vendor.

The market management will limit vendors of a particular product if they deem the supply of that product to be more than adequate so as to prevent market saturation.  Day vendors will be allowed based on the need for a particular product.  Preferences will be given to regional vendors.

The vendor is responsible for adhering to any state or federal regulations regarding handling, licensing, permitting, and inspection of prepared foods, meats, and dairy items.   

Items that may be sold at the market:

• Fresh & canned produce, flowers, seeds and seedlings, honey maple syrup, natural fibers, eggs, meats, cheese and other farm products.
• Homemade baked goods and prepared foods that contain local ingredients
• Plant starts grown by the vendor
• Studio, workshop or home made items, that utilize local agricultural materials wherever possible, and/or that fit the definition below of "traditional crafts".

Prepared Foods

• Items must contain at least 2 ingredients which are grown or produced locally
• These ingredients must be visibly displayed to customers.

Value Added Products

• Must be either made by the vendor, or made by another party using materials grown by the vendor if the vendor is legally or financially prohibited from making the product themselves.

Crafts
In keeping with the mission of this market to be primarily a local farmers' market, craft vendors will comprise no more than 20% of the vendors on any given market day.  Preference will be given to craft/artisan vendors involved with the traditional crafts (i.e., spinning, weaving, blacksmithing, soap & candle making, pottery, etc.) that impart knowledge, skills and/or goods needed in a local sustainable community.  As with agricultural and food vendors, the item must be produced by the crafter.  Flea market items, used clothing, antiques, crafts from kits, or mass produced items will not be allowed.

Market Objective
Together we will succeed by creating a vibrant, welcoming market experience for all members and visitors.  In return for adhering to the above requirements, the TCFM will strive to provide vendors and visitors with the best possible market experience in a beautiful setting.  We will work to create a widely advertised and promoted Farmers' Market that will consider your needs as much as possible.  This market is a collective collaborative effort.  Issues should be brought to the manager's attention after an attempt on the part of the involved vendor(s) to work out an equitable solution.