Frequently Asked Questions - Vendors
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1. How do I contact the farmers market?
2. What are the market days and hours of operation? 3. As a vendor, how early do I need to show up for the market? 4. What is the difference between a Farmers Market and a Flea Market? 5. What kind of products can I sell at your market? 6. Who needs a Health Certificate? 7. Why are animals not allowed at the market? 8. As a vendor, do I need liability insurance? |
9. Where do I get an application form to be a vendor
10. Do I need to fill out an application form every year if I’m a regular vendor at the market? 11. When do I need to pay my vendor fees? 12. How do I know how much the fees are for being a vendor? 13. What is provided to vendors participating at the market? 14. Useful Links |
1. How do I contact the farmers market?
Go to our website at www.okotoksfarmersmarket.com or,
by contacting us by e-mail at info@okotoksfarmersmarket.com or,
by leaving a message at (403)-992-9044.
2. What are the market days and hours of operation?
Our Regular Market runs from the third Friday in June to the last Friday in September between the hours of 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
3. As a vendor, how early do I need to show up for the market?
Our Market manager will be at the market site 2 ½ hours before the market starts for vendors that need extra time setting up. But most vendors will have plenty of time to set up and be ready if they come 1 hour before the market starts at 3:30PM. Give yourself a little extra time to set up and get ready so your time at the market will be relaxing and stress free.☺
4. What is the difference between a Farmers Market and a Flea Market?
The Okotoks Farmers Market is, a Farmers Market, not a Flea Market – flea markets have few restrictions on what can be sold. Okotoks Farmers Market is an Alberta Approved Farmers Market, and the market must comply with provincial guidelines. Alberta Approved Farmers Markets are administered by Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. The biggest difference between these kinds of markets is, that Alberta approved farmers markets can only sell new items (newly repurposed items are permitted). As well a 80% Alberta, made, baked, or grown, content is mandatory. For more information on what these guidelines are, go to www.alberta.ca and in the Search field enter “farmers market”.
5. What kind of products can I sell at your market?
Okotoks Farmers market strives to have diversity in its selection of vendors. So most new family friendly products will be considered. But we are looking to have at least 80% of the markets content, to be made, baked, or, grown in Alberta. The other 20% can be vendors who buy and resell commercial products like clothing, health and body care, Tupperware, Norwex, Watkins and other similar products or out-of-province vendors. We restrict our market to no more than one vendor for each of these types of products. If you have a product that fits in the 20% category, feel free to request to become a vendor, by clicking on “I’m A New Vendor” and submitting your info and product details, and the market manager will be in touch with you confirm if your product is a fit for the market right now.
6. Who needs a Health Certificate?
Food vendors must have a current Alberta Health Certificate, and you must be able to produce it on demand. We are regularly visited by Alberta health inspectors who ensure the proper regulations for displaying and serving food are followed. That being said, certain types of low risk foods do not require a Health Certificate. Please contact Alberta Health Services to confirm if your food product requires it.
7. Why are animals not allowed at the market?
Alberta Health does not allow animals around or near where food is being sold.
8. As a vendor, do I need liability insurance?
You don’t “need” liability insurance but it is generally recommended that you get your own coverage. Your personal insurance carrier can probably accommodate you or you can get it through the AFMA. If you do get coverage, have the Okotoks Farmers Market Society as a “coinsured”.
9. Where/How do I apply to be a vendor?
The easiest way is off the web site. Wait until early January to apply for the new season. Click on the “I’m A Vendor” link on the home page, and follow the prompts.
10. Do I need to submit an application every year if I’m a regular vendor at the market?
Yes, because details change over time and your product(s) might have changed as well. Please fill out a new application, for each new season so our information will be up to date.
11. When do I need to pay my vendor fees?
If you are a returning vendor, click on “I’m A Vendor” link on our home page and fill out our on line application and submit your payment with a credit card.
If you are a new vendor, contact the market manager to confirm if you should proceed to fill out the regular application and submit payment.
In either case, if you intend to only come periodically, make payment for the dates you know you will be attending. If you become available for more market dates, confirm and make payment with the market manager while you are at the market, on your scheduled market dates.
12. How do I know how much the fees are for being a vendor?
The pricing is updated on our website in early January of each year.
13. What is provided to vendors participating at the Market?
Okotoks Farmers Market can provide a covered space to most new, non established vendors.
When filling out your application, confirm if you have your own Canopy/Shelter
14. Useful Links:
Go to our website at www.okotoksfarmersmarket.com or,
by contacting us by e-mail at info@okotoksfarmersmarket.com or,
by leaving a message at (403)-992-9044.
2. What are the market days and hours of operation?
Our Regular Market runs from the third Friday in June to the last Friday in September between the hours of 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
3. As a vendor, how early do I need to show up for the market?
Our Market manager will be at the market site 2 ½ hours before the market starts for vendors that need extra time setting up. But most vendors will have plenty of time to set up and be ready if they come 1 hour before the market starts at 3:30PM. Give yourself a little extra time to set up and get ready so your time at the market will be relaxing and stress free.☺
4. What is the difference between a Farmers Market and a Flea Market?
The Okotoks Farmers Market is, a Farmers Market, not a Flea Market – flea markets have few restrictions on what can be sold. Okotoks Farmers Market is an Alberta Approved Farmers Market, and the market must comply with provincial guidelines. Alberta Approved Farmers Markets are administered by Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. The biggest difference between these kinds of markets is, that Alberta approved farmers markets can only sell new items (newly repurposed items are permitted). As well a 80% Alberta, made, baked, or grown, content is mandatory. For more information on what these guidelines are, go to www.alberta.ca and in the Search field enter “farmers market”.
5. What kind of products can I sell at your market?
Okotoks Farmers market strives to have diversity in its selection of vendors. So most new family friendly products will be considered. But we are looking to have at least 80% of the markets content, to be made, baked, or, grown in Alberta. The other 20% can be vendors who buy and resell commercial products like clothing, health and body care, Tupperware, Norwex, Watkins and other similar products or out-of-province vendors. We restrict our market to no more than one vendor for each of these types of products. If you have a product that fits in the 20% category, feel free to request to become a vendor, by clicking on “I’m A New Vendor” and submitting your info and product details, and the market manager will be in touch with you confirm if your product is a fit for the market right now.
6. Who needs a Health Certificate?
Food vendors must have a current Alberta Health Certificate, and you must be able to produce it on demand. We are regularly visited by Alberta health inspectors who ensure the proper regulations for displaying and serving food are followed. That being said, certain types of low risk foods do not require a Health Certificate. Please contact Alberta Health Services to confirm if your food product requires it.
7. Why are animals not allowed at the market?
Alberta Health does not allow animals around or near where food is being sold.
8. As a vendor, do I need liability insurance?
You don’t “need” liability insurance but it is generally recommended that you get your own coverage. Your personal insurance carrier can probably accommodate you or you can get it through the AFMA. If you do get coverage, have the Okotoks Farmers Market Society as a “coinsured”.
9. Where/How do I apply to be a vendor?
The easiest way is off the web site. Wait until early January to apply for the new season. Click on the “I’m A Vendor” link on the home page, and follow the prompts.
10. Do I need to submit an application every year if I’m a regular vendor at the market?
Yes, because details change over time and your product(s) might have changed as well. Please fill out a new application, for each new season so our information will be up to date.
11. When do I need to pay my vendor fees?
If you are a returning vendor, click on “I’m A Vendor” link on our home page and fill out our on line application and submit your payment with a credit card.
If you are a new vendor, contact the market manager to confirm if you should proceed to fill out the regular application and submit payment.
In either case, if you intend to only come periodically, make payment for the dates you know you will be attending. If you become available for more market dates, confirm and make payment with the market manager while you are at the market, on your scheduled market dates.
12. How do I know how much the fees are for being a vendor?
The pricing is updated on our website in early January of each year.
13. What is provided to vendors participating at the Market?
Okotoks Farmers Market can provide a covered space to most new, non established vendors.
When filling out your application, confirm if you have your own Canopy/Shelter
- We ask that vendors bring their own table(s) and chair(s) as they need for their own set up.
- the general size of the space for each vendor is 10’ X 10’, if more space is needed please contact the market with details
14. Useful Links:
- Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development: www.agric.gov.ab.ca/app21/rtw/index.jsp
- Alberta Health Services: www.albertahealthservices.ca