An Owosso Farmers Market vendor is any individual person or business that is approved and leases booth space(s) provided by OFM within the space of the market event. Farmers Market applications open in February each year. Applicants are reviewed in the order they are received. Full season and Summer vendor applications close April 1st. Daily vendor applications close September 1st. All returning and potential vendors must apply each season to participate in the farmers market for the year. Completing the application does not guarantee vendor approval. Applications submitted AFTER May 1st will be notified of approval, waitlist or denial within 2 weeks or as time permits.

Please read the following information before filling out an application.

FARMERS MARKET VENDOR CATEGORIES & TYPES:

We receive many new applications each season and maintain a waitlist for vendors outside of Agricultural/Farmer and Food business categories. Vendor space per market is limited for any business, person or organization outside of the Agricultural/Farmer and Food category. This is to uphold the OFM mission, purpose and to reduce vendor redundancy. We will continue to accept new applications and pull from the waitlist throughout the season based on a balance product type & category availability. The following categories qualify as a farmers market vendor:

• Agricultural/Farmer – farmers and growers who raise, harvest and cultivate their produce, herbs, nursery crops, meat and flowers or plants 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 or grow at least 80% of their products. No more than 20% of their products can be included as the following categories:
  1. Representative Vendor: agricultural products purchased for resale from Michigan wholesale farms and greenhouses. These items must be grown and/or produced in Michigan and labeled with business name and/or location.
  2. Farmer Direct: purchased directly from the farmer who grew it, vendors must provide the farm name and/or location.

• Prepared Food & Beverage – Businesses that process food or beverage items for sale. Processed food items or pre-packaged food must be made in a commercially licensed kitchen or made under Cottage Food Law per the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Concession vendors providing prepared or cooked for consumption on site, including beverage items, with or without 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 or certification and have it with you. 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.

• Artisan Makers – handcrafted, non-edible products that are built, designed or crafted by you. These products cannot be brokered or wholesale only items. Limited number of spaces per farmers market season are open to reduce vendor redundancy for a Farmers Market.

• Other/Service– Vendors wanting to re-sell unique items or provide a specialty service on-site. No more than 50% of your products for sale can be direct or wholesale items and must fall under the following categories: refurbished, antique, second-hand, value-added. This category does not qualify for a full season vendor pass. A very limited number of spaces per farmers market season are open for this vendor category. 

• Local Business – Michigan based organizations and/or a local business that support the mission, vision and purpose of OFM. These local businesses should have a focus on: educating the public about sustainable food access, serving low-income communities, providing an engaging and relevant activity for families. Nonprofits and/or local businesses cannot sell any products. This category does not qualify for a full season vendor pass and is limited to 1 single booth space per month.

We encourage any local businesses or nonprofits to check out our opportunities specific to supporting OFM as a sponsor during the market season. If you are a local community group or non-profit interested in hosting your event within or participating at the market, please contact us directly. 

Vendor Requirements:  

A single vendor booth space for the OFM is 10’x10′. Full Season and Summer Pass vendors will be given a designated space, all daily vendors will be directed to their space upon check-in at each market, daily vendor spaces are not reserved. Vendors are required to supply their own tables, table coverings, 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 the entire length of a Saturday, we may have a limited number of vendors set up inside the main floor of The Armory, otherwise we stay open outdoors in the rain.

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 our market customers and overall success of the farmers market as a whole.

General Operations:

The OFM 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. No soliciting is permitted at or in the Farmers Market space.

OFM has a zero tolerance policy for any form of discrimination and harassment towards any staff member, volunteer, vendor or customer. All vendors, staff, and volunteers are expected to act in a professional manner and to treat one another with respect, contributing to a welcoming and positive atmosphere. Vendors and their staff shall lead by example and uphold the OFM mission. Use of profanity, vulgar language, or gestures will not be tolerated.

Smoking anywhere inside the Farmers Market space is prohibited.

There are no refunds for approved vendors under any circumstances.