Carmel Farmers Market
Carmel Farmers Market
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Carmel Farmers Market Prospective Vendor Information
The mission of the Carmel Farmers Market is to provide the citizens of Carmel and Clay Township with a community festival every Saturday morning from the second to the last Saturday of May through the first Saturday of October. In order to do that we know we must provide a wonderful setting, good entertainment and, above all, the best vendors of any market in the state.
If you are interested in becoming a vendor at the Carmel Farmers Market, please carefully review the FAQ's below. Once you have done that, please fill out the application form that follows by clicking on the link provided.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
● What are the Market hours, location and dates for this coming summer?
The Market will be held every Saturday morning from the last Saturday from May 22 through October 2 in the south parking lot of Carmel City Hall. Hours are 8 to 11:30 AM.● How many people attended last summer’s Market?
This past summer we averaged 45 vendors per week and had visits from nearly 45,000 people.
● What products are permitted for sale at the Market?
Only Indiana-grown or produced agricultural products may be sold at the Market.
No craft items are allowed.
● Are there other requirements I should know about?
Vendors must reside in Indiana.
Vendors who sell or sample any food for consumption on-site must have a seasonal vendor permit from the Hamilton County Health Department.
Foods prepared off-site must be made in a certified kitchen.
● What are the details in regards to new vendors for the 2010 season?
Our vendors from this past summer, whom we invite back, choose their spaces for the upcoming season during our annual vendor reception in late February.
Once those vendors have chosen their spaces, our New Vendor Selection Committee reviews the number of spaces we have open for new vendors to be added. They also analyze what we need at the Market in the way of product, what we have too much of, what we don’t have enough of, etc. Over the past four years we have averaged replacing just six vendors per year.
New vendors are then selected based on the entire range of products they wish to sell at the Market. Those that are selected are given their contracts to sign in late March to mid-April. Vendors are not selected on a first-come, first-served basis, but only on the basis of what we need or don’t need in the Market to keep it fresh, interesting for the visitors and profitable for our vendors.
At least 50% of the products sold at the Market must be grown and/or produced by the vendor. The remainder can only be purchased directly from another grower. No products sold at the Market may be purchased from a middleman such as a commission house, food broker or auction. Farm visits will be made during the growing season and receipts for purchased produce may be requested.
Cost for the full season is $95. With few exceptions do we permit weekly vendors.
Vendor spaces are the equivalent of two auto parking spaces. Your vehicle may be parked in the space, but only if it fits completely within the space itself and no part of it, including trailer hitches or tongues, falls over the line into an adjoining space.
If you plan to cut, pierce, cold hold or hot hold any edible product you must have a seasonal vendor permit from the Hamilton County Health Department. The cost of this permit is $60.
The 2009 Change in State Law notwithstanding, if you prepare any food off-site to be sold at the Market that food will have to be made in a certified kitchen. If that kitchen is located in Hamilton County you will need to have an inspection by the HCHD. The cost of that inspection is $175.
Vendors must provide proof of adequate insurance coverage.
Again, thank you for your interest in the Carmel Farmers Market. If you would like to be considered for the Market in 2010, please fill out the form on this site, providing as much information as possible. (Please remember that filling out the form does not mean that you have been selected to be a part of the Market.)
Carmel Farmers Market Prospective Vendor Information Form:
CFM Vendor Application Form
Carmel Farmers Market Vendors
Contact:Select photos from Carmel Farmers Market
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This website is dedicated to the memory of Jim Keckley, the first volunteer president of the Carmel Farmers Market committee. He was part of the committee since it started in 1999. Jim was the best volunteer. He was the first one to arrive to set up the market at 6:00 AM and usually the last to leave 6 hours later. He is quoted as saying the committee was "The most fun "I've ever had on any committee, without exception." but it was his gentleness and kindness that helped make the committee so special. This web page is brought to you by:
Irwin Computer Services Inc.
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