Dear Market Applicant,
Thank you for your interest in the Plymouth Farmers’ Market at Plimoth Plantation!
The PFM is a year round market, in its thirteenth year bringing locally grown food to the greater Plymouth community. Summer Market is every Thursday June through October; the indoor Winter-into-Spring series runs November through May.
The PFM strives to be a producer only market where produce and products sold at the market are locally grown and/or locally made. Our vendor selection team advocates for market vendors who make every effort to use locally sourced ingredients and materials in their products, and to source within the market wherever possible.
To be considered for summer membership please return the completed application with check list and $15 application fee, and copies of required documents by MARCH 15th.
Applicants invited to join as members will receive an email notification of acceptance by APRIL 1st. Payment of 50% of season fee is due at this time. Balance of membership fee is due on or before MAY 1st.
The PFM enjoys robust patronage from market-goers around the area and is one of the regions most significant markets. The PFM is recognized as a destination market for local and organic produce and offers educational activities and engaging programming for the whole family. Our market days are fun and festive community events.
The PFM actively connects its Market Vendors with customers by promoting market days on the website, facebook, and an email newsletter that reaches several thousand customers.
We are especially interested in low-maintenance vendors that will aggressively market the market, participate in the friends program, contribute to the newsletter, source within the market, and generally be a positive force to push the market forward.
We look forward to a great season, rooted in local farms and food!
Member Selection Team
Plymouth Farmers’ Market at Plimoth Plantation
PLYMOUTH FARMERS’ MARKET
2016 Summer Membership Policies
MISSION:
The Plymouth Farmers’ Market provides access to fresh, local, seasonal produce, meats, cheeses, and prepared foods that are sourced locally for Plymouth residents, visitors and the greater South Shore community. The market draws attention to the agricultural diversity and food-ways of our region, sustains a vibrant local food economy, promotes local food literacy, educates the public on the seasonal availability of fruits and vegetables and helps the community to prepare healthy, locally-grown meals. The Plymouth Farmers’ Market also provides a social experience that helps build community by celebrating seasonal and local foods in historic Plymouth, Massachusetts.
MARKET OVERVIEW:
Location & Times: Summer Market held outdoors on the River Street field at Plimoth Plantation, a living history museum, at 137 Warren Ave, Plymouth; Thursdays June through October; 2:30-6:30pm; rain or shine.
Membership Fees: see below.
Management: By Plymouth Farmers’ Markets, LLC
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS:
Plymouth Farmers’ Market (PFM) Members are: farmers, gardeners, hobby growers, herbalists, beekeepers, bakers, fisherman, cheese makers, earth based artisans, fine food makers, and local food related businesses.
MEMBER SELECTION:
Market Coordinator (MC) & Member Selection Team (MST) invite applicants to participate based on common mission goals, available space and the need for a specific product. The team may make membership exceptions for the good of the market. The MC oversees all activities at the market and members agree to comply with MC requests. PFM membership is an invited privilege and comes with no explicit rights. Fairness based on adherence to these policies is implicit; failure of a member to meet the expectations of these guidelines will result in loss of membership. Grievances between members will be resolved by the MC. Grievances between a member and either the MC or a co-manager will be resolved by the MST.
PRODUCER ONLY: ALL farmers and growers will grow and bring to market their own vegetables, fruits, herbs, flowers and plants. Value added farm products must be made from locally grown resources, and must comply with BOH regulations (see below).
LOCALLY SOURCED ingredients/materials are the foundation for ALL non-farm memberships. Local is defined as Massachusetts with special emphasis on southeastern MA. Exceptions may be made for under-represented New England farm foods. Bakers (no baking mixes please) and Cooks are required to source their raw ingredients, as available, from PFM farmers. This encourages promotion between members, and draws a direct connection between locally-grown and locally-produced foods for PFM customers. Non-farm members are further expected to provide a list of local sources on their annual application.
ON-SITE VISIT: An on-site farm or kitchen visit by the MC/MST is part of the application process.
ORGANIC PRODUCE: Massachusetts law states you may label your produce “organic” ONLY if you are certified. Organic producers MUST include Bay State Certification with Membership Application to label items as “organic”.
MEAT PRODUCTS: All meat products must be from animals raised from weaning by the farmer. Processing must comply with all local and federal health ordinances.
INSURANCE: Members selling prepared foods are required to provide a certificate of liability insurance, naming the Plymouth Farmers’ Markets, LLC and Plimoth Plantation, Inc. as insured’s. The PFM and PP will assume no liability for loss or injury caused by products sold by any vendor member.
FARMERS’ MARKET COUPON & EBT/SNAP PROGRAMS: PFM is a WIC approved market for fruit and vegetable farmers, who are expected to obtain WIC certification thru the MA Department of Agriculture and prominently display their WIC placards each week. Contact Lisa Damon, Coupon Program Coordinator, 617-626-1731, emailto: to be certified to receive WIC and SENIOR coupons. ALL Members must sign a contract with PFM to redeem Fresh Food (EBT/SNAP) and Debit tokens. Participation is mandatory.
SIGNAGE/LABELS: Each member’s space shall be identified with the farm or business name, and all prices clearly marked for each item. Locally sourced ingredients should be highlighted with signage/labels.
PERMIT & LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: All members selling foods must comply with state and local BOH regulations and further must obtain a “Town of Plymouth Farmers’ Market License” upon acceptance to the PFM for final eligibility to participate. All relevant Permits are to be kept on hand at the market.
PREPARED FOODS: Must be labeled in compliance with local BOH requirements; food-makers must provide serve safe and allergen certificates, proper kitchen licenses, a sampling plan, etc. Other food safety conditions may apply depending on the food sold. Direct questions about food safety to Plymouth Health Dept, 508-747-1629, x118.
SMOKING is not permitted within the market boundaries.
FRIENDSHIP SPECIALS/MARKETING INVOLVEMENT IS MANDATORY: All members are required to participate in the Friend of the Market program by offering a small discount or free item to customers who display a Friend of the Market card/pin. If a special is not provided, the market will assign a default special. Specials shall be posted at each vendor’s tent. Members are expected to reply to the Friday morning email call for Harvest & Cook Notes/Friendship Specials by the following Monday morning with a brief description of what is fresh, seasonal and special for the week. In turn, PFM will promote each vendor, their products and specials through social media outlets.
MARKET DAY REQUIREMENTS: RAIN/SHINE: Member attendance is mandatory, regardless of rain/shine. In the event of a gale wind storm, market cancellation notification will be made via email. In the rare case of absence, contact the MC at least two days in advance so a visiting vendor can fill the spot.
ELECTRICITY: Vehicle invertors and certain generator models will be considered, please inquire.
SCALES: must have a current seal from a municipal Department of Weights and Measures.
TABLES, CHAIRS, TENTS & ANCHORS: are supplied by Members. Tents not adequately secured/weighted will need to be taken down.
CLEANLINESS/WASTE: All vendors are responsible for maintaining their space in a manner that is safe and pleasing to their workers and customers. Vendors are responsible for removing their own property and cleaning their own space at the close of the market. Trash and recycling facilities are provided and all recycling must be separated into the recycling bins.
SECURITY:The PFM and Plimoth Plantation do not assume any responsibility or liability for loss or damage to vendor’s property. Your consent to participate in signifies your understanding of this.
MARKET DAY SET-UP: Set-up begins at 1pm.
SALES: No Sales until the opening cowbell rings at 2:30. Vendors are expected to stay until 6:30 even if sold out.
PLYMOUTH FARMERS’ MARKET
2016 Summer Membership Application
A “PRODUCER ONLY” MARKET
Mail to: PFM, 131 Chestnut Street, Middleboro, MA 02346
Name ______
Farm/Business Name ______
Address (Street, City, Zip) ______
Phone ( ) ______Cell Phone ( ) ______
Website/Blog:______Facebook Page:______
Name of person representing you to attend PFM:______
E-mail we should use to communicate with you: ______
Please List other Farmers’ Markets you attend/attended:______
ALL APPLICANTS: This is a Producer Only Market, use back to describe in detail crops/food/products to be sold that you grow or make. BE SPECIFIC, this is your list of approved products to sell at PFM.
FARMERS & GROWERS: Describe your farm & growing methods (conventional, certified organic, hydroponic, etc):
BAKERS, COOKS (& OTHERS): Please list locally sourced ingredients/materials used & sources:
MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS:
_____ $450 Summer Membership, one 10x10 tent w/vehicle space
_____ $ 175 2nd Tent or x-Large Truck, additional fee, as space allows
_____ $120 Seasonal Grower Membership, 4 consecutive markets (for fruit growers/specialty crops) Attendance Date Requests:______
_____ $ 35 Single Market Fee for Guest Vendor, Attendance Date Requests:______
I, ______, have read and agree to the attached membership policies of the Plymouth Farmers’ Markets, LLC. I further agree to hold both the PFM and Plimoth Plantation, Inc. harmless and to defend both the Market and Museum against any claim brought due to my or my employees’ conduct or from any potential product liability I may incur. I understand that I am also responsible for obtaining requisite local and state licenses, permits, certificates, forms, and/or inspections required by law and statute including my own liability coverage.
Signature date
Application Checklist, please initial and return with application:
_____I HAVE READ AND AGREE TO ABIDE BY THE PFM GUIDELINES.
_____All APPLICANTS: Enclose check for $15 to Plymouth Farmers Markets, LLC.
_____Certified Organic Farmers: Include copy of Bay State Certification or date of expected inspection.
_____Food-makers: “I intend to source local ingredients from the farm sources listed on my application.” *Please indicate any ingredient you’d like help from PFM to locally source:
______
______
_____NEW Food-maker applicants (never participated in the PFM before): Include a copy of your local Department of Health Kitchen Permit; Serve Safe and Allergen Training Certificates; sample of product label, and any other state permits that may apply.
_____NEW Non-food applicants: Include photos or samples
_____ALL New Applicants (never participated in PFM before): Please include TWO REFERENCES from other Markets or Businesses (name and email address or phone#).
_____Completed & signed application and checklist