Farmers Market Vendor Portal

Mission Statement

The Shelburne Farmers Market exists to facilitate a link between local producers and consumers and to sustain a robust local food system. To that end, we only allow the sale of producer-grown or made goods. Shelburne Farmers Market is proud to welcome vendors of all backgrounds, including New Americans and those from historically marginalized or underrepresented communities.

We consider Market a "Third Space" to gather for fun and community, and we strive to create true community wealth by closing gaps in the local food system with nutritional programs to support people in need, in partnership with NOFA-VT, DCF, USDA, and the Shelburne Food Shelf.

Schedule

Summer Market

The Summer Market is held at the Shelburne Parade Grounds and Village Green in Shelburne, Vermont.

• 2026 Season: May 16 – October 17 (23 Saturdays)
• Hours: 9:00am – 1:00pm, Rain or Shine
• Shelburne Day (August 15): Extended hours, 9:00am – 2:00pm
• Vendor Setup: Unloading and setup may begin at 7:30am

Vendor Definitions

Vendors will be classified as one of three types:

Full-Time Vendor

A vendor that attends at least 80% of the markets and whose annual fees have been paid. There are two classifications:

• Full Season Vendor: Attends every week during the summer season (at least 18 of 23 scheduled markets)
• Half Season Vendor: Attends weekly for either the first half (May–July) OR the second half (August–October) of the season (at least 10 markets)

Day Vendor

A vendor that does not regularly attend the market but joins when space is available. They either are part-time vendors who cannot commit to every week, or vendors that fill in for full-time vendor absences.

Vendor Fees

All new and returning vendors must submit a non-refundable $25 data processing fee with their application. Applications without payment will not be considered.

• Data Processing Fee: $25 (non-refundable)
• Season Vendor: $650
• Full Season Farmer: $550
• Half Season Vendor: $350
• Day Vendor: $50 per market (advance), $60 per market (same day)

Seasonal Vendors must pay market fees in full by April 15, 2026. Day Vendors may pay in advance ($50) or same day ($60).

Vendor Types and Products

The Shelburne Farmers Market exists to facilitate a link between local producers and consumers. To that end, we only allow the sale of producer-grown or made goods. The Market is primarily an agricultural market but also provides a variety of products made in local cottage industries.

General Guidelines

• Vendors may only sell what they themselves produce
• Vendors may sell branded items (t-shirts, tote bags, etc.) if they do not take up more than 30% of the vendor's display

Vendor Categories

• Agricultural Vendor: Sells food, fiber, plants, flowers, and value-added agricultural products grown in Vermont by the vendor or their employees
• Prepared Food Vendor: Sells ready-to-eat food/drink OR processed/packaged food prepared by the vendor in Vermont
• Artisan Vendor: Sells hand-crafted items made in Vermont that do not qualify as agricultural or prepared food
• Service Vendor: Offers services at the market, typically in fitness and wellness
• Community Vendor: Non-profit, non-partisan organizations

Vendor Mix Goals

• Agricultural vendors: at least 50% of total vendors
• Prepared Food vendors: no more than 30%
• Artisan vendors: no more than 20%

All products must be listed on the application and approved during the acceptance process. Once accepted, vendors may diversify offerings within reason if they do not directly compete with other vendors' sales.

Vendor Seniority & Space Management

• Vendors achieve seniority through previous season attendance
• Seniority determines priority order of acceptance
• If a vendor doesn't sell for two consecutive years, seniority is forfeited
• If a vendor sells their business, seniority is not passed to the new owner
• Returning season vendors may keep preferred locations
• Vendors are assigned one 10' x 10' space; additional spaces available as availability allows (preference to Agricultural Vendors)

Vendor Expectations and Responsibilities

All vendors are expected to participate in the Market in the spirit of cooperation, not competition.

Legal Requirements

• Comply with all State of Vermont rules and regulations
• Have a Vermont State Tax ID number prior to first day of vending
• Use certified legal-for-trade scales if selling by the pound
• Have all necessary licenses (see Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets)
• Display Fair Stand License if required by Department of Health
• Follow state food handling guidelines
• Sign a Hold Harmless Provision prior to first Market

Communication

• Provide an email address and check regularly for updates
• Review weekly detail email with vendor map (sent by Thursday before each market)

Staffing

• Only vendors, family members, and employees may staff a booth
• Alternative sales people must be directly involved in production
• Employees must understand and comply with market guidelines

Summer Market Logistics

Attendance

• Vendors with reserved spaces MUST notify the Market Manager by 6pm Friday if not attending Saturday
• Vendors who claim space but do not attend without cancelling will be fined $50 for each missed market date
• Three no-shows without notice makes a vendor ineligible to participate further
• If not at market by 8:30am without notification, space may be assigned to a day vendor

Setup Requirements

• Must be fully set up and ready by 9:00am
• Must stay until 1:00pm (unless permission granted)
• All vendors must erect canopies/tents regardless of weather
• Canopies must be anchored with 30-pound weights or stakes for each leg (120 lbs total)
• Vendors who fail to bring canopy/tent and weights will not be allowed to vend
• Must display sign indicating business name and location
• Vendors provide own tables, chairs, and tablecloths

Market Conduct

• Storage/usable areas must not extend beyond allocated 10' x 10' space
• Strongly encouraged to use compostable containers (Styrofoam prohibited by state law)
• All pre-packaged items must be priced with ingredients listed
• Vendor spaces must be cleared of debris; all trash taken home
• No pre-recorded or amplified music; live music only when no paid musicians performing
• Dogs must stay behind display areas and be leashed (except registered service animals)
• No smoking or alcohol within market perimeter
• Electricity is not available

Reporting

Vendors are required to submit weekly gross sales figures to the Manager, rounded to the nearest dollar. These figures are confidential; only aggregate figures will be available to the public. The data is essential to securing ongoing funding at local, state and federal level, demonstrates local economic impact, and provides the foundation for market growth analysis.

• Seasonal Vendors must submit gross receipts within a month
• Day Vendors must submit gross receipts at the end of the day they vend
• Sales must be reported using the online collection form in weekly detail emails
• Missing sales information can result in loss of seniority or scheduling opportunities
• Vendors may request their reported sales data at any time from the Market Manager

Enforcement

All vendors are expected to know and follow market guidelines or will be subject to permanent dismissal. If a vendor is found not following guidelines, they will be given three warnings. Upon receiving a third violation, a vendor will be disinvited from Shelburne Farmers Market.

Committee members or the Market Manager can issue warnings.

Marketing & Promotion

The Market will provide marketing and promotion via social media, e-newsletter, Front Porch Forum, and signage. All full-time and part-time vendors will be listed on the Market website.

Nondiscrimination & Anti-Harassment Policy

The Shelburne Farmers Market and Experience Shelburne do not tolerate any harassment (sexual, physical, psychological, or verbal) or discrimination (on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or age) of vendors or customers.

Any vendor found guilty following an investigation of committing any of these acts will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

If any vendor feels there is any type of discriminatory conduct, they should immediately bring it to the attention of the Market Manager for investigation.

Policy Changes

All policy changes during market season are subject to the Market Manager and Experience Shelburne's discretion.