APPENDIX A

Minimum Certified Farmers Market Rules

__________________________ Farmers Market goal is to provide fresh fruits, vegetables and noncertfiable agricultural products by direct marketing to the local community and its surrounding areas. The market is organized under the Alabama Farmers Market Authority as proscribed in the Ala. Code §2-5-1 et. seq., to become a Certified Alabama Farmers Market. The governing body of the market and its designated agents shall implement and enforce all rules and regulations pertaining to the operation of a Certified Farmers Market in a fair and equitable manner.

All markets must have a Market Committee/Board and a Market Manager. The Market Steering Committee/Board manages the regular business operations of the market. The Market Steering Committee/Board will conduct it's day to day operations through a Market Manager designated by the Market Steering Committee/Board.

The following is an outline to assist you in drafting your market’s rules. Complete your market’s rules by addressing each topic A thru L in the outline below. The final version of your rules will be the responses to each topic listed below. Please be sure to un-highlight the text that forms your rules. Any text below that is not highlighted must be included in your rules.

1. A. Market organizer/sponsor: Identify who runs the market and sets the philosophy and purpose of the market.
2. B. Market Manager: Identify who makes the day-to-day operation decisions, and list manager contact information.
3. C. Statement of the Rules: List the rules that will be part of the agreement between the vendor and the market.
4. D. Approval of vendors and products: Define who can sell (farmer vs. non-farmer), and what can be sold (produce, crafts, food distinctions). The number of non-food vendors may not exceed 30% of the total vendors. Arts and crafts are not permitted for sale at the market unless they have received prior approval by the Market Steering Committee/Board. Items purchased for resale, as well as items made from kits, commercially available plans and items that are mechanically mass-produced may not be sold at the market.
5. E. Criteria for selecting vendors and fees: Establish market space allocation procedures including priorities, preferences, and stall fees
6. F. Necessary documents and permits: Lists the various documents and licenses required to participate including proof of insurance, growers permits/certificates or business licenses. Attach a copy of all documents to the final version of your market’s rules.
7. G. Market Operation: Establish detailed guidelines on issues such as market location, day(s) and hours of operation set-up, clean-up, selling times, notification for non-attendance, pets, samples, sanitation, signage, smoking, food safety and food handling.
8. H. Enforcement Process: Establish procedures for rule enforcement, including reporting violations, notice, penalties, suspension or removal and appeals.
9. I. Rules and Law Compliance: Incorporate applicable State and Local requirements into your market’s rules, with agreement that it is vendor’s responsibility to comply. The sale of live animals is not allowed at the market. Wine is prohibited for distribution and/or retailing at farmers market in the State of Alabama. Alcohol, i.e. beer, whisky, etc., is prohibited for sale at farmers markets.
10. J. Hold Harmless and Indemnification: Vendor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the market organizer from any liability arising from the vendor’s participation in the market.
11. K. Food Safety and Sampling: Specify rules for handling and storing different types of foods with guidelines for sampling if allowed. It is the responsibility of each vendor to abide by all state and federal regulations which govern the production, harvest, preparation, preservation, labeling, or safety of products offered for sale at the market. All vendors regardless of product must meet the health requirements that prevent food borne illnesses.
    No cooking is permitted within the market area without prior approval.
12. L. The governing body and its designated agents shall implement and enforce all rules and regulations pertaining to the operation of the Certified Farmers Market in a fair and equitable manner.

13. M. Signature Line:

    ___________________________     ________________________________
    Market Representative           Vendor

Author: Don Wambles, J. Matt Bledsoe

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala.,1975, §2-5-10.

History: New Rule: Filed March 23, 2012; effective April 27, 2012.