Vendor Application
Vendor Applications are now open for the 2023 farmers market season!
Please note: applications are reviewed and approved in the order they are received for the farmers market season. The Owosso Farmers Market 2023 season starts the first Saturday of May and ends the last Saturday of October.
Full season and Summer vendor applications close April 1st. Daily vendor applications close September 1st.
A single vendor space for the DOFM is 10’x10′. Vendors are required to supply their own table, table covering, and marketing materials. A tent with a minimum of 25 lb weights is required. All farmers market events are rain or shine. In the chance there is inclement weather for a majority of a Saturday, we will have a limited number of vendors set up inside the main floor of The Armory.
All vendors must apply each season to participate in the market for the year. Returning full season or legacy vendors will have preference to their previous booth space. The OFM accepts the following farmers market categories:
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Agricultural/Farmer – farmers and growers who raise, harvest and cultivate their produce, herbs, nursery crops, meat and flowers in the state of Michigan. This includes beekeepers, dairy, eggs, and fish producers who process their own local raw product to sell. Agricultural & Farming vendors must produce at least 80% of their products. No more than 20% of their products can be included as the following categories for all Agricultural/Farming vendors:
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Representative Vendor: agricultural products purchased for resale from Michigan wholesale farms and greenhouses. Items must be grown and/or produced in Michigan and labeled with business name and/or location.
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Farmer Direct: purchased directly from the farmer who grew it, vendors must provide the farm name and/or location of each product sold at the OFM.
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Food & Beverage – concession vendors with prepared or cooked for consumption on site, value-added, or pre-packaged food and beverage items. Food trucks/trailers are under the jurisdiction of the local health department in their county. To participate in the OFM, you must submit a copy of your inspection document. All food truck vendors are required to provide their own waste bin and dispose of their trash off site at the end of each market. No more than 20% of your products sold can be wholesale, value-added.
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Artisan – handcrafted, non-edible products that are Michigan-made and designed or crafted by you. These products cannot be brokered or wholesale only items.
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Other – Vendors wanting to re-sell unique items or provide a specialty service. No more than 50% of your products can be direct or wholesale items and must qualify as the following categories: refurbished, antique, second-hand.
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Local Business – Michigan based non-profit organizations and local businesses that support the Market’s mission and vision. These local business must focus on: educating the public about sustainable food access, serving low-income communities, providing an engaging and relevant activity for families. Non-profits cannot sell anything.
We are able to provide a limited amount of space for vendors in the “other” and “local business” category, no more than once a month.
Regular attendance is expected for seasonal vendors. Any vendor committing to a full season is allotted up to 6 missed farmers market Saturdays. Summer Pass vendors are not allowed to miss a date, but may transfer only one date to avoid an absence if needed. If a seasonal vendor misses more than the allotted amount, they will be subject to loss of their designated space. Attendance is a vital requirement for our vendors, this provides consistency to the our market customers and overall success of the farmers market as a whole.
The DOFM prohibits vendors from: any sales of raffle tickets, all forms of organized or intended soliciting and/or political activity or displays. Distribution of content-based literature or marketing is not permitted within the market. DOFM has a zero tolerance policy for any form of discrimination and harassment towards any staff member, volunteer, vendor or customer. All vendors, staff, volunteers are expected to act in a professional manner and to treat one another with respect. Smoking at a vendor space or inside the Farmers Market is prohibited.
There are no refunds for approved vendors under any circumstances.
Is your business a local non-profit? Please contact us here for opportunities specific to non-profits working with the Owosso Farmers Market during our season.
Please be thorough and accurate when completing the vendor application! The information your provide and product items you list is what we base acceptance off of.
2023 Vendor Fees
Market Vendors
Full Season Pass
$350
Set up at the farmers market for the full season – 26 Saturdays in total. Pricing equals out to just $13 per Saturday. This is a designated spot for the farmers market season. A 10% discount applied for 3+ spaces for full season passes.
Summer Pass
$150
Set up at the farmers market during our busy summer Saturdays. This pass will get you two (2) pre-selected dates in June, July, AND August with a designated space – 6 dates in total.
Daily Pass
$30
Single day rate for market vendors. Spaces are first-come, first-served for approved vendors the day of the market. Please pre-select the dates that you would like to attend during the market season.
Food Trucks & Concession Vendors
Food Truck Daily Pass
$50
Set up your food truck at a single market day. Sell your food to 1,000+ market goers each Saturday in Downtown Owosso. This fee does not include power-hookup, limited power available upon request ($10/day). Waste removal must be the food truck vendor’s responsibility.
Full Season Food Truck
Inquire for Pricing
Become a permanent fixture at the market! Perfect for coffee trailers, breakfast and brunch trucks, and anyone looking to build their food or concession business in Downtown Owosso. Waste removal must be the food truck vendor’s responsibility. Price is dependent on total set up days during season and truck/trailer size.
2023 Farmers Market Vendor Application
Application review process
Each application is reviewed by our vendor jury team, in the order they are received, to ensure that your products meet the criteria above and to limit vendor redundancy. We have the right to approve or deny any vendor application. All “Daily”, “Full Season” and “Summer Pass” vendors that are approved will be contacted starting the first week of March and no later than April 8th. If approved, we will contact you via email and require the following: any necessary permits/insurance information, a signed market agreement with your vendor fee. If your application is declined, you may appeal this decision by emailing DOFM within 24 hours of notice. Vendors shall comply with all rules and regulations set by the State of Michigan and Shiawassee County relating to the products they sell. It is the sole responsibility of each vendor to be familiar with and abide by all state and federal regulations pertaining to the production, harvest, preparation, preservation, labeling, and safety of products sold at the market. More information can be found here.