LaCrosse County Farmer Market Association    

LCFMA RULES AND POLICIES and APPLICATION Instructions

MISSION:   The LaCrosse County Farmer Market Association LCFMA is here to serve LaCrosse County Communities and surrounding communities by providing locally grown, fresh, high quality produce and products and to provide an opportunity for local farmers, craftsmen and artisans to have an economic outlet. The LCFMA strives to enhance the quality of life of the regional communities by creating a social opportunity to gather and interact.

 In order to promote the Farmer Markets in LaCrosse County as a whole to the communities of LaCrosse County and surrounding communities all vendors and their helpers shall comply with these Quality Standards & Policies at Farmer Market events and will behave towards market customers, association members, staff and volunteers, in a professional Manner, which fosters a sense of Market community, camaraderie, and a spirit of cooperative involvement.  

 All Vendors shall comply with these Standards & Policies, to participate, or risk expulsion from Market Events.

 QUALITY: The LaCrosse County Farmer Market Association strives to provide a market place where fresh and wholesome products are sold. Each LCFMA member is responsible for following these policies as agreed on the membership application (vendors shall be self regulating) in order to participate at LaCrosse County Farmer Markets.   The Market Manager shall enforce these policies to maintain quality at LaCrosse County Farmer Markets.

PUNCTUALITY: All vendors with assigned stalls must be in their stall one hour (1hr.) prior to the start of market.   It is the responsibility of individual Vendors to be in their assigned stalls one hour prior to market beginning. Vendors shall sign in with the Market manager upon arrival or one hour prior to market.   Violations of this policy may result in loss of assigned stalls on the day of the violation.   If an assigned stall hasn’t been filled 1hr prior to market, the stall may be assigned casually - first come first serve.   Tardy or late arrivals shall set up in the designated casual stalls.   Casual stalls will be filled by first come first served.   No Saving or Reserving Stalls for late vendors.

 MARKET ATTENDANT:   The person registered on the health department permit and registered LCFMA vendor.
The registered farmer shall be the producer and should be the seller of their products at the Market.

Arts & Crafts vendors must handcraft all products offered at LCFMA events.
No wholesalers or brokers allowed.   Farmer shall grow items offered at markets on land they own, rent or lease.

 STALL ASSIGNMENTS:   Your stall space is assigned to you.    The Market Manager will make Stall assignments as available upon request.   Stalls may not be sublet, traded or transferred. Vendors are guaranteed, the same stall location at each market but vendor must adhere to Punctuality Policy (see above). The stall fee is nonrefundable.  

SET-UP: Set-up may begin two hours (2 hrs.) prior to market on Market day. During that period vendors may enter the Market area for the purpose of readying their stall space for the day’s sales.   Vendors shall set up in their pre-assigned stall or in the casual area.   Vendors setting up outside the designated market area are in violation of market safety policy and will be required to relocate to the designated market area.   For patron safety, vendors located in the Midway are asked to remain until closing time.   Vendors may only set up in their assigned stall.   Vendors shall relocate if they are not in their assigned stall or designated space appointed by the market manager.

 DISPLAY: Displays must be placed within stall area.   Displays or canopies shall not extend onto the walkway/driveway beyond the stall number marked on the ground.   Standard Pop-up canopies may slightly overlap or adjoin to the neighboring canopies - courtesy and cooperation are expected.   Oversized displays must rent multiple spaces.  

STALL CLEAN UP: Each vendor is responsible for cleaning his/her stall area to the satisfaction of the Market Manager. NO dumping or littering of any kind on the ground, sidewalk or any areas at market locations. This is a safety and environmental issue.   Violators will be responsible for costs' incurred for environmental HAZMAT cleanup. Vendors will be assessed a $5 fee per stall not picked up or swept clean.   Fee must be paid before setting up at the next market.

 PRICING: Pricing of goods sold at the Market is solely the responsibility of the individual vendor.   Vendors are responsible to clearly display the price of all items for sale and provide your own signage.   You must display your health department permit in plain view during market hours   
TBD at a later date a fair market price range, maybe established by the Market Association Directors.

 HEALTH PRACTICES: All vendors must adhere to sanitary procedures as outlined by the LaCrosse County Health Department (608-785-9872). Any vendor found selling contaminated foodstuffs or produce, or selling in the Market without proper health precautions, shall be suspended from selling operations until satisfactory clearance has been obtained from both the LaCrosse County Health Department and the Market Manager.

 ATTIRE:   All vendors must dress appropriately - shoes and shirts are required.

 PETS: NO dogs or pets are allowed in vendor stalls.   Visitors and patron’s dogs shall be on a leash.  

 SMOKING POLICY: There will be NO smoking in any stall spaces.   Use the designated smoking areas, away from the market vendor stalls. You are responsible for any cigarette butts; please remove your butts when you leave the market.

 VEHICLES: Only Farmers will be allowed to sell from their vehicles and only one vehicle or trailer is allowed in the market area per vendor regardless of number of stalls rented. Vendors will park all other vehicles in designated areas or off the market area.   No vehicle maintenance shall be performed at markets.   Manager may approve emergency repairs.   The area must be thoroughly picked up and cleaned and all debris removed if repairs are made at market sites.

 STALL FEE AND PAYMENT: the Market Association Directors will establish a fee schedule for Farmer Markets each market season. The Market Manager or his appointed Market Director will collect payment at the beginning of each market. Failure to comply with fee payments will result in a $5.00 fine in addition to the regular daily fees. Vendors will NOT be allowed to set up until past obligations including clean up charges have been cleared or risk expulsion from all LaCrosse County Farmer Market events - until paid or arrangements are made with Market Manager.

 ORGANIC LABELING: Vendors advertising as “Organic”, or “Unsprayed”, “Natural”, etc. are not required to be certified by any recognized certification agency. However, regulation restricts use of the phrases “Certified Organic or USDA Certified Organic” to those who have in fact been certified by the Department of Agriculture or USDA recognized certifying agency.

All vendors are required to advertise truthfully and to respond to customer’s questions in a like manner.

 GRIEVANCE POLICY: The Market Manager has the right to impose disciplinary action at the Market site. Vendors have the right to a hearing before the Market Association Directors within two weeks of any expulsion action. In the event of customer dissatisfaction, the dispute must be resolved to the satisfaction of the customer and Market Manager on the spot at that market. Failure to do so will result in the removal from market participation. The Market Manager has the authority to grant exceptions to the market policies on an individual basis for reasons of dire need. Should any vendor, at any time, occupy the premises in a manner contrary to this agreement, upon request of Market Manager, the vendor shall immediately cease such offending conduct. Failure to immediately comply as requested shall be cause for the revocation of this permit and expulsion from the market. Upon revocation vendor shall promptly vacate premises.  

Should a vendor leave/vacate the market area for whatever reason and not remove their vehicle/property/goods; the Market shall have removed all property of vendor from the premises at vendor’s expense. The market is relieved and discharged from any and all / loss or damage caused by such removal. The Market shall not be responsible for storage or safekeeping of property so removed.

  MARKET MANAGER: The Market Manager’s job on the Market site is to coordinate all of the activities of the functioning of the Market and to implement market policies. This includes oversight of the Market set-up and clean-up, daily stall assignments, collection of dues, fees and information, assuring vendor compliance with cleanup, display all LaCrosse County Farmers Market policies, and answering questions. The Market Manager also acts as a conduit of information from the vendors and customers to the Market Association Directors and LaCrosse County Officials.

The Market Manager has complete authority to interpret and implement policy on the market site. If you have any questions or concerns, please submit your concerns and proposals in writing to the Market Manager.

MARKET ASSOCIATION DIRECTORS:   The Directors are magnanimously appointed as an automatic condition of their LCFMA membership.   Registered LaCrosse County Farmer Market Association Farmers residing in, farming and growing produce in LaCrosse County and selling their produce at the LaCrosse County Farmer Markets shall be the body of association directors. Directors assist the Manager with operational tasks at the markets. Such as: assisting directing vendor traffic, collecting fees, clean up, assisting in mediating market disputes or hearing expulsion grievances.

INDIVIDUAL VENDOR POLICIES

FOOD VENDORS: No food vendors at Farmers Markets without prior permissions and permits from the LaCrosse County Health Department and Market Manager.

FARM VENDORS: Read the Market Policies, fill out the application form, sign it and send fees to the Market Manager.

The applicant must grow the Vegetables/Fruit and Flowers offered at market.

No offering of samples or cutting of produce.

No wholesale brokers will be allowed.
Selection is made on the basis of quality and freshness.

ARTISANS & CRAFT VENDORS: Artisans & Craft vendors may apply for assigned stalls.   Walk-ins welcome with space availability.   Vendor must make all craft items themselves.

Selections will be made on the basis of quality, originality and uniqueness, and space availability.

Market Manager and Market Association Directors may prescreen crafts for acceptance or exclusion from markets.

FAIR MARKET TRADE FOR FARMERS - QUALIFYING VENDORS:   LCFMA encourages all qualifying vendors to participate.   At this time, LaCrosse County Farmer Market Association does not limit the distance a vendor may travel to sell their goods.   Most Farmer Markets limit vendors to a specified distance vendors may travel.   Many limit vendors to a radius of 30-50 miles from around the market or the host county and adjoining counties.   This helps to assure customers fresh produce, while limiting cost for inspection of farms or gardens.   Inspections are time consuming and expensive to perform.   To keep membership costs down, no in season inspections or, pre-qualifying farm inspection is required to qualify farmer vendors.   Farmer vendors agree to allow and assist the market manager to inspect their farm or garden upon request.    Not allowing an inspection upon request will be considered being in non-compliance with LCFMA policies and will result with this permit will be revoked and the LaCrosse County Health Department will be notified.   At this time only spot inspections to follow up on complaints of non-compliance will be performed.   An inspection will verify the vendor is actually farming and growing produce and growing produce in comparable quantities being sold at markets.   Inspections are meant to prevent wholesale buying and selling at Farmer Markets.   

NOISE:   Generators or refrigeration units shall be placed, directed, muffled to provide an acceptable db level of noise at the market, so as not to disturb or disrupt normal conversation at the market.   Vendors creating excessive noise or disturbance will be requested to stop.   If the vendor remains non-compliant they may be asked to leave the market.

LaCrosse County Farmers’ Market Vendor Application Procedures - 2008 Season

Dear LaCrosse County Farmers Market Applicant:

Opening weekend of the LaCrosse County Farmers Market is Wednesday May 28, 2008 at
LaCrosse North-side Market, on Rose Street at Bridgeview Plaza Shopping center 

Saturday LaCrosse Downtown May 31, 2008 and the season will run through October 25th 2008.

LaCrosse County Farmer Markets open at different times - See market chart for times and locations.

Vendors with assigned stalls may begin set up two (2) hours prior to market starting. Vendors are asked to remain until the close of market, as you sell out or near the end of market consolidate your stand and gradually break down. This allows customers to exit in a safe environment, and time for vendors to dismantle their booths. We have limited space at markets. In order to provide customers a diverse and interesting selection of well-rounded and wholesome products, stall space allocation will be based upon product quality, originality and space availability. Farmers have priority at farmer markets.

This is your copy of the LaCrosse County Farmers Market Site Policies. Please read these policies and keep your copy for your reference.   Completely fill in the Application form and sign it. Send your completed application form and fees to the Market Manager to request Assigned Stalls.

Vendors shall pay in advance to request a specific stall(s) to be assigned.   You may check stall availability and signup on-line at www. lacrossewifarmersmarkets.com or mail in this membership form and advance payment.   Pre-Paid-assigned spaces are assigned according to vendor’s priority choices and simple lottery; so don’t wait to apply if you want a particular stall. Remaining unassigned stalls, are assigned to vendors First Come First Served.   To request a specific stall location indicate on drawing #1, put a #2, #3, as alternate choice locations.   If no other vendor requested the same #1 position you are assigned that space. If multiple vendors request the same space, a simple lottery will select the vendor. Your second choice is then considered. The same selection process is used. Vendor requested stall locations are not guaranteed until assigned.   Stall assignments will be as close as possible to the requested location.   Farmers have priority on choice.

Remaining unassigned stalls shall be casual stalls and filled first come first served per vendor. When the lot is full no additional vendors will be accepted or allowed to set up at the market. One stall space is one standard parking space.   You will need to keep your display area within these boundaries.    See the following price schedule for stall prices, multiple spaces and midways.

No Vendor shall set up beyond the Painted parking stall lines into the main walkways/driveways

Vendor shall display items or information in all stalls along walkways. All Space should be used.

If a vendor is assigned multiple stalls and will not occupy all assigned stalls, the vendor shall inform the Market Manager, so the stall may be used as a casual stall.   The vendor is not giving up a space – only helping to keep the market full.   Vendors may not sublet, trade or transfer stall spaces.  
Only the Market Manager may reassign a Stall.

(SPECIAL Note: The Cameron Park Market is not affiliated with the LaCrosse County Farmer Market Association - Cameron Park regulations do not apply.   Fees are extra)

FEE SCHEDULES :   

LaCrosse County Farmer Market Association is a Voluntary Membership.

Vendors are not required to join the LCFMA.

  Non-LCFMA Members   - Anyone may rent an available casual stall.  
              Pay $20 per stall per market (casual stalls only)   Plus+ Health Dept Permit fee

LaCrosse County Health Department Permit : Permit Required in Lacrosse County and at
              all LCFMA events.   Purchase permit and Pay County Health Department/Inspector                                     

* The midway stall fees indicated apply to all markets same as General Stall fees.
Footnotes: (also see stall configurations on drawing)

1. Vendor is limited to assigned space within one parking space in midway spaces. ‘Carry in’ is recommended
2. Vendor is limited to two side-by-side spaces. Limit 1 small vehicle – “Carry in” is recommended
3. 1/2 stall aisle stalls are ½ of a standard parking space -- ‘carry in setup Only –’
4. Double aisle Stalls are 1 full standard stall ‘carry in – setup’ stalls only
5. Triple aisle stalls are one full midway aisle stall and one adjoining midway stall.
6. Quad required for trailers, Rigs shall not extend into the walkway/driveway.   Check in with manager.

To reserve your space at the 2008 LaCrosse County Farmer Markets please return the enclosed application with your stall(s) selections and fees April 30th, 2008. After April 30th, we will fill unassigned spaces with other vendors, first come first served, no exceptions!
Please call (608) 857-3937 if you have any questions.

Prepayment: You may prepay the stall(s) fee for the year @20-22 weeks.   $20 association membership fee, plus $20 stall fee (based on one stall), when you send in your application. However, if you are unable to participate at the LaCrosse County Farmers Market on a given day, the stall fee is forfeited and is non-refundable.

The prepayment and stall assignment does guarantee that your regular space is reserved each week until one hour prior to the start of market. The Market Manager will be your contact in all-financial matters, keeper of the records, and have up-to-date accounting and billing should you have questions.   Please plan to provide your own canopies, temporary tables & chairs, side covering for hot sun or rain, signage, business cards, etc. for display of merchandise.    

Water is available at the bubbler on the corner of 3^rd St. & Vine Street.  
Restroom facilities are available in Wettstein’s building, or walking to Burger King.

A letter or email will follow up outlining vendor stall space assignments, as well as, information regarding unloading and parking procedures on Market day.

All Vendors must enter at the Vine Street end of lot for Downtown Saturday Market.

If you have questions, please contact The LaCrosse County Farmers Market Manager.

We are looking forward to this year’s LaCrosse County Farmer Markets and we thank you for your interest!

Best regards,

Market Manager
LaCrosse County Farmers Market Association

FLEA MARKET PERMITS  

1. Only homemade items may be sold.     

2.  Follow rules and regulations of Farmers Market.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
LA CROSSE COUNTY HEALTH DEPT, 
300 4TH ST NORTH 
LA CROSSE  WI  54601-3228
608-785-9771  
            

LICENSE FEES Charged by the LaCrosse County Health Department, 
these DO NOT INCLUDE LCFMA charges

FARMER/FLEA MARKET FEES:

$40    When obtained at the Health Department  PRIOR TO MARKET

$50    At the Market

$15    For each additional space