Snellville Farmers' Market Policies“Nourishing Our Community”

Founded in 2010 by a group of local citizens, the mission of the Snellville Farmers' Market is:
To “Nourish Our Community” by providing fresh, local and seasonal produce and encouraging
community pride.
Products That Can Be Sold
The Snellville Farmers' Market policies will adhere to the Georgia Department of Agriculture
Guidelines for Food Products Sold at Events Sponsored by Non-Profit Organizations.
Products that may be sold without a license include those food items that are exempt from the Georgia
Food Act and are not governed by additional state or federal laws and regulations:• Fresh Produce• Breads, Pies, Cakes and Cookies• Jams and Jellies• Honey• Cut flowers and herbs
Products requiring a license may be sold when a copy of the current license issued by the proper
authority accompanies the application:• Eggs• Dairy Products• Organic Products• Low Acid/Acidified Foods (canned vegetables, pickles, salsa, etc.)• Meats, Poultry, Fish and Seafood

Vendors who wish to sell prepared, ready-to-eat foods that are potentially hazardous and require time
and temperature control must provide the following documentation with their application:• Documentation of current ServSafe (or similar food safety program) certification.
Non-food products that may be sold with approval of the Snellville Farmers' Market Committee
include fresh cut flowers, fresh cut herbs, dried flowers and other garden materials. Handmade items tobe sold by the product creator will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
All vendors must provide a certificate of liability insurance showing coverage for the Snellville
Farmers Market.

Labeling Requirements
All baked goods, jams and jellies, and other packaged food products must be labeled incompliance with all applicable federal and state regulations. A copy of a label must be submitted forapproval with the application. The label must include:
•
•
•
•
•
•

The common name of the food
Net weight
A list of all ingredients using the common name of each ingredient
The name, address and phone number of the person who made the productAllergen information
If a product label includes wording indicating that the product may be used to treat or remedy ahealth or medical issue the label must contain a disclaimer, which should indicate the label isinformational only and is not a substitute for advice from a medical professional.

Any herbal products a vendor wishes to sell as a health/wellness product must contain adisclaimer similar to the following: This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or
prevent any disease or medical condition. Please consult your medical care professional regarding
the use of this product.
Who Can Sell
• Booth preference will be given to those vendors selling fresh produce and food items.
• Produce re-sellers will not be permitted to sell at the market. Produce vendors must own
or lease the land on which the produce is grown. Family members or paid representativesof the landowner/lessee may sell produce with prior approval.
• Vendors selling products may be represented by a family member or paid employee.
• Products that are not grown or sourced locally, but add to the diversity and appeal of the market,
will be considered on a case-by-case basis (for example, coffee, tea, spices, fish and seafood).
• A very limited number of craft vendors may be approved to participate in the market. Crafts
will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must be made by the applicant. To ensure thequality of the crafts offered, vendors must submit a photo of their craft with their application.
• Approval preference will be based on the number of weeks a vendor plans to participate.
• Upon approval of the committee, local non-profit civic groups, hospitals and similar health careinstitutions, and city officials may reserve a Public Service Booth for the purpose of providing
information to citizens. These groups must have an approved application on file. No products
may be sold in a Public Service Booth. There is no charge for the use of a Public Service Booth.
See Restrictions on Right to Lease a Booth below.
• No items sold at the market may be bought commercially, re-branded and resold.
• Only those items listed on a vendor's application may be sold. If a vendor wishes to add an
item, approval must be received from the market manager or representative prior to offering that
item for sale. The market manager or representative is the final arbiter on the suitability of an
item offered for sale.
• To ensure a good diversity of products, the committee may find it necessary to limit
participation of vendors who sell like items. No vendor is guaranteed to be the sole purveyor of•••an item.
Only vendors who have paid the required booth fee may sell. All vendors must have a current
application on file, including a copy of any required license(s) and labels
The committee reserves the right to inspect the premises where products are grown, produced orprocessed at any time during the market season.
Vendors sell at the invitation of the market committee. The committee reserves the right torevoke a vendor’s approval at any time.

Restrictions on Right to Lease a BoothThe purpose and mission of the Snellville Farmers’ Market is primarily to provide and lease abooth where private individuals and companies that grow or produce farm products are allowed tomarket their products at an advertised and promoted public event. A booth for purposes of this policy
is defined as the 10’X10’ area leased by a private individual or company to display and sell their foodand farm products during the term of the farmers’ market event, with a mobile tent provided by theindividual/company. As a by-product of this principal goal, booths not used for the primary function of
the market are made available to other retailers and service providers that are marketing homemade
items, crafts and other items deemed by the Board of the Farmers’ Market as compatible with the
purpose and mission of the Farmers’ Market. The second group of applicants are selected based on
their ability to attract customers and participants to the market.
The primary mission is to provide locally grown produce, meats, eggs, honey and other locally
produced foods to the citizens of Snellville and the surrounding area. The farmers’ market mission isintentionally not intended for political or religious communications. However, because the Towne
Green is owned by the City of Snellville, the City has provided a “free speech zone” for anyone
wishing to exercise their First Amendment rights. All parties that do not meet the primary mission of
the farmers’ market are free to exercise their rights in the free speech zone.
The Farmers’ Market Committee has determined that it would like to set aside a maximum of
two booths at the Farmers’ Market for public service organizations to participate in the market at nocharge by providing information beneficial to the public. In order to qualify for use of one of thesereserved booths, the applicant must submit an application to the Farmers’ Market Committee forapproval. An applicant can request to reserve a maximum of one booth at any one market. Examples ofparties that are encouraged to apply for and use the public service booths are the following:• Public officials and staff distributing materials to update citizens on the status of public projects
such as road work and economic development initiatives• Local hospitals and similar institutions providing public health information• Civic organizations providing information regarding public service opportunities
Applications for use of the Public Service Booths shall be evaluated by the Committee based on
the following criteria:• All applications are considered in the order of filing.
• Applications shall be scheduled for critical information deadlines.
• Applications by parties where the issue is of great public concern will be given priority.
• Applications by public entities such as the City of Snellville and its affiliated organizations shallbe given priority.
• Groups seeking to distribute information of a religious or political nature shall be not be•considered and are invited to use the free speech area set aside for that purpose.
Local businesses that have not been approved as paid vendors by the Snellville Farmers’ Market
Committee and wish to distribute information may not do so in the market area. They areinvited to use the City Hall Free Speech Area.

Location and Hours of Operation
Where: The market will be held on the Towne Green in front of Snellville City Hall, 2342 Oak Road,
Snellville, GA 30078.
When: First Saturday in June through last Saturday in September
Hours of Operation:
Every Saturday
Vendor set-up
Vendor breakdown

8:30 am to 12:30 pm
7:00 am to 8:15 am
12:30 pm to 1:00 pm

Vendors are expected to be fully set up and ready to begin selling at 8:30 am and stay open until theend of the market. Vendors are expected to have adequate product available for sale for the majority ofthe market hours. Vendors who arrive too late to unload and remove their vehicle from the market areaby 8:15 am will have to carry all items to their assigned booth space. If a vendor has not arrived by
8:30 am their booth space may be reassigned to adjust the market layout as needed. Vendors who arrive
late more than two times may be asked to discontinue selling at the market.
Upon arrival, vendors should park parallel and close to their booth space and unload as quickly
as possible. They should then move their vehicle to the designated parking area BEFORE setting
up their booth. When the market ends, vendors should break down their booth and haveeverything ready to load BEFORE bringing their vehicle into the market area, parking parallel
and close to their booth space. Only one vehicle per vendor is permitted in the market area at atime. These procedures help to minimize vehicle congestion in the market area during set up andbreakdown times.
Market Booth Spaces and Fees
•
•
•

•

Booth rental fees must be paid in advance. We do not allow multiple payments as the record
keeping and trips to the bank associated with frequent payments are very time consuming.
Checks should be made payable to Snellville Farmers' Market and may be mailed to Snellville
Farmers' Market, PO Box 669, Snellville, GA 30078. Payment may also be made by cash or
credit card (3% added to cover our fees).
Booth spaces that allow a vendor to leave a truck in the market area are very limited.
Preference for these spaces will be given to vendors who must leave their truck in the market
either because their truck provides required refrigeration for their products, they haul a trailer,or they bring a large amount of produce or very heavy items to the market.
All vendors must have an approved application on file. The application must include copies of
any required documentation. Once a vendor's application is submitted participation dates will
be confirmed. Any change of dates must be confirmed in advance by email to the market
manager or representative.

•
•

•

•

•

•

Assigned spaces will be large enough to accommodate a 10' by 10' tent. Electricity is available
for a small additional charge. Vendors must provide their own extension cord.
Vendors should prominently display their name and/or business name in their selling area socustomers can easily see with whom they are dealing. Vendors must have a copy of required
license(s) available in their booth as we do have occasional visits from regulatory agencies. We
also expect vendors to provide attractive signage that identifies items for sale and prices.
A seller's area is to remain clean and barrier free. Littering of any type is prohibited. Spaces
must be left completely clean of all trash, including trash from produce such as corn husks,
peach pits and melon rinds. Vendors are to provide their own trash bags and may disposeof the trash at the end of the market by placing it in the dumpster behind City Hall or
hauling it away. Trash carts in the market area are for customer use only. Market
volunteers will not haul vendor trash to the dumpster.
No vendor may display fliers, posters or other signage outside the rented booth space. Vendors
and their representatives must sell from within their assigned booth space and may not use
customer traffic areas for sales purposes. Vendors may not repeatedly “call out” to potential
customers as this can be disturbing to other vendors.
The Snellville Farmer’s Market has exclusive use of the Towne Green Saturdays between 7:00
AM and 1:00 PM for purposes of licensing vendors to participate in the Snellville Farmer’sMarket. Sales inside the Towne Green during this period may only be conducted by theapproved vendors and shall be limited to their particular vendor area. Individuals or groups
wishing to conduct solicitation, political or religious activities during that time who do not wish
to pay a vendor booth fee are welcome to conduct such activity, but must conduct such activity
in the designated Free Speech Area which is located in the Farmer’s Market parking areaadjacent to City Hall.
The City of Snellville and only those approved by the market manager or representative shall bepermitted to photograph, film and/or record any areas of the market, including the vendors
and/or their representatives and booths.

Absences
Vendors are asked to give 48 hours’ notice if they cannot attend a market so the committee can offer the
space to another vendor. If a vendor reserves a space and misses a market two times during the season
without prior notice, the vendor may lose their reserved space and/or their approval to participate inadditional markets. No refund of fees will be given for missed markets.
Cancellation due to Inclement Weather and Conditions Beyond the Control of the Market
The market will be held rain or shine, but in the event of severe, violent weather the market will becanceled. A decision to cancel the market will be made by 5:00 AM on the day of the market. An
email will be sent to notify vendors of the closing. In the event of violent weather during the market,
the market manager, or designated representative, may determine that the market shall close early. In
that case, all vendors must cease selling and leave the market area immediately. No refund of fees will
be given for a cancellation due to inclement weather or other conditions beyond the control of themarket.

Tents, Umbrellas, Tables and Chairs
Tents, umbrellas, tables and chairs are optional and, if desired, are provided by the vendor. However,tents are highly recommended due to the intensity of the summer sun. Tents (including tent awnings),
umbrellas and tables may not extend into another vendor's selling area or into the area where customers
walk. Vendors are responsible for their own site set up and breakdown. Tents, tables and umbrellas
should be clean, in good repair, and present a visually pleasing look to the market. No tarps are
permitted. Heavy weights or sandbags are required for tents and umbrellas to secure themagainst wind gusts and should not be removed during breakdown until the moment before taking
the tent down. No stakes are permitted due to an underground irrigation system. To prevent
customer falls, any ropes or wires used to secure tents may not extend into customer traffic areas.
Vendors are responsible for securing their tents and umbrellas with no damage to the surrounding areaor another vendor's property. Vendors will be responsible for any injury or damages caused by theirtents, umbrellas, tables and/or chairs.
Insurance
Market vendors are required to be responsible for their own personal, general and liability insurance.
The City of Snellville shall be reimbursed for any damage to city property by a market vendor,
including damages to grounds, sidewalks, buildings, vehicles and any other property owned orprovided by the City of Snellville or the Snellville Farmers’ Market.
Sales Tax
Market vendors are responsible for the collection and payment of sales tax.
Vendor Procedures and Conduct
•
•

•

•
•
•
•
•

All vendors are expected to have product available for sale at the market. Vendors who wish to
only take orders for future delivery will not be approved.
Proper demeanor and high-quality customer service are required on the part of the vendors at
the Snellville Farmers' Market. All sellers are expected to be friendly, courteous,
knowledgeable and honest. Complaints will be investigated by the Snellville Farmers' Market
Committee. Sellers who are the subject of consistent complaints may be asked to discontinue
selling at the market with no refund of fees.
If selling by weight, the seller is responsible for having Georgia Department of Agriculture
approved scales. All produce and other products sold by volume must also conform to theweight standards for that volume as established by the Georgia Department of Agriculture forweights and measures.
Vendors should furnish clean packaging or containers for customers, such as paper or plasticbags or boxes. All baked goods are to be wrapped or boxed.
Vendors are to have signage that identifies the items they have for sale and prices.
Vendors are expected to have adequate money to make change. The market cannot provide
change.
A vendor or knowledgeable representative must be present at the booth at all times.
Children under the age of 16 may not sell any items unless an adult 21 years of age or older is

•
•

•
•
•

present who is knowledgeable regarding the products(s) being sold.
Vendors who bring children to the market must supervise them at all times. A vendor’schildren must remain in his/her booth throughout the market, including set-up andbreakdown times.
To protect the image and reputation of the Snellville Farmers’ Market and provide ourvendors with the best venue possible for their sales, vendors should refrain from negative
comments in a public forum regarding the market or other vendors, including, but notlimited to, social media. Vendors with complaints or concerns should directly address
them with a member of the Snellville Farmers’ Market committee. Failure to do so could
be grounds for permanent expulsion from the market.
Vendors are expected to dress appropriately for working with the public. Shirts and shoes are
required.
Vendors may not use tobacco products on city grounds. Vaping is prohibited on city grounds.
Vendors are not to play music that is loud enough to disturb other market vendors or
customers.

The following will result in immediate and permanent expulsion of a vendor from the market and norefund of fees will be given:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Fraudulent, dishonest or deceptive merchandising or packaging
Use of profane, abusive, threatening or harassing language with customers, market volunteers
or other vendors.
Threatening behavior, the threat or use of violence
Damage, trashing or vandalism of city property
Gambling
Possession of or under the influence of alcohol
Use of illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia

Questions?
Please email snellvillefarmersmarket@gmail.com.

2024 BOOTH FEES
Market Dates: June 1 through September 28, 2022
Number of Weeks

Booth Fee

Electricity

Full Season$250$2 per market for electricity)

Less than full season$20 per market$2 additional per market forelectricity

Public Service Booth (must have No charge
an approved application on file)• The minimum number of weeks a vendor may participate in the market is 4 weeks due to thetime required for application review and computer work to add a vendor to all documents used
to administer the market. This requirement is waived for the Public Service Booth.
• If signing up for less than the full season, participation weeks do not have to be consecutive.
• No refunds or credit will be given for failure to participate on reserved weeks.
• The Snellville Farmers Market uses social media to promote each market, including a listing ofvendors expected to participate. Customers can be disappointed if they come to the market anda vendor they were expecting to be in attendance is not there. Therefore, after two no-shows, avendor's booth may be reassigned or a vendor’s approval to participate in the market may be
rescinded. A no-show is defined as failing to participate on a reserved week and failing to givethe market 48 hours’ notice so social media posts can be updated and the market layout can be
adjusted.
• A booth can be immediately reassigned if the booth fee is past due.
• Booth location is at the discretion of the market committee. Many factors determine a vendor’s
location, including application date, the number of weeks the vendor plans to participate(preference is given to full-season vendors) and other vendors in an area of the market selling
similar products. Booth location is subject to change.