Founded March 19, 2003
Rules and Regulations
1. Products Allowed:
a. Uncut Fruits and Vegetables, Cut Flowers, Berries, Herbs, and Plants
All products must have been grown by the seller. Plants must be grown from seeds, plugs, cuttings, bulbs, or bare root. Resale of pre finished plant materials is NOT allowed. Wild collected items must come from land the seller owns or has agreement to use; roadside collected items are NOT allowed.
b. Value-added Products
Admitted at the discretion of the Board, these include baked goods, honey, soap, eggs, cheese, meat or any agricultural product whose sale a government agency regulates. ALL product must contain material grown or produced by the seller unless approved by the Board on an annual basis. All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply, including business licenses when required. In addition, all labeling must adhere to Federal guidelines. Any items not listed above must be brought before the board for approval.
c. Crafts
Requiring Board approval, crafts must have been made by the Vendor selling them and may not exceed more than half of the initial total display area.
d. Meat
Seller must have owned the animal for no less than HALF its life at time of slaughter. NO animals from CONDEMNED or FOR SLAUGHTER herds. All government regulations apply.
2. Vending Regulations:
Vendors must grow ALL of what they sell. The resale of any products is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN. Violators of this rule will be IMMEDIATELY expelled from the Market without refund of fees. Vendors wishing to return to the market after expulsion may apply to the Board of Directors for re-admittance after a waiting period of 1 (one) year from the date of expulsion. Vendors who have been expelled from other area farmers markets for rule violations will NOT be allowed to sell at the Boone County Farmers Market.
3. Inspection of Production Areas:
The Board reserves the right to appoint inspectors to inspect sellers’ production areas by appointment. The purpose of inspection will be to determine whether the seller is producing all that he or she is bringing to the Market.
4. Health Regulations:
City of Columbia health department rules apply to all vendors; however, product samples shall NOT be provided without Board approval.
5. Pricing:
Vendors set their own prices; customer satisfaction and consideration of other vendors must be kept in mind. Signs must be kept within the vendor’s assigned area.
6. Grievance Procedure:
Grievances must be brought to the attention of the Board, not directed to the vendor in question.
7. Weights and Measures:
Scales MUST be certified by the Missouri Department of Agriculture.
8. Market Hours and Operation:
Market hours are as follows: Saturdays 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. from April through October. No product may be sold before opening signal. No early bagging by customers. Vendors must vacate market area 1 (one) hour after market closing.
9. Maintenance and Courtesy:
Vendors must maintain clean and healthful conditions and leave the area free of debris. Any damage to pavement must be repaired at seller’s expense. All vehicles and trailers must be removed from the lot at the end of the market day.
10. Eligibility:
a. Sellers must be residents of Boone or adjoining counties, with all products grown in these counties. Sellers outside this area require Board approval each year. Members must vend at least 3 (three) times during the current season to be eligible to vote. July 1st is the cut-off date for new vendors (Seasonal or Daily) unless vendor has the approval of at least 3 (three) Board members and 1 (one) non-Board member.
b. Charter Members – Members paying their dues before April 30, 2003 will be Charter Members and will have seniority over all others. Seniority for others will be based upon the year membership was paid. Seniority will be the criterion used for issues such as stall selection.
11. Fees:
a. The DAILY FEE for vendors not desiring a seasonal MEMBERSHIP is $25.00 for one stall each Saturday. Daily vendors will not be charged more than $175.00 maximum for one stall each season. Daily vendors will not have a permanently assigned stall and may be moved to different areas of the market each week depending upon space availability. Unlike Members, Daily Vendors do not have voting rights.
b. Vendors desiring a MEMBERSHIP in the Market will be charged a $175.00 MEMBERSHIP FEE. Pending availability, an additional $100.00 will secure the member one assigned stall for the entire season. Available additional stall space(s) will be $115.00 each per season, with a 3 (three) stall total limit. Members requiring additional stall(s) will be charged the relevant DAILY FEE. Vendors that had permanent stall(s) the previous year will have the option to renew the same stall(s) for the up-coming season, but must do so at the February annual meeting. These stalls must be paid for by March 1st. A drawing will be held at the February annual meeting for any available stall(s). Stall OWNERS may not sublease, sell, or privately permit their stall(s) for use by other vendors. Stall OWNERS may trade stalls with Board approval.
12. Times:
Stall owners expecting to sell in assigned stalls must arrive before 7:15 a.m. on Saturday or have informed the acting manager that they are coming; failure to do so will result in forfeiture of assigned stall use for that day. Additionally, said stall owner must arrive by 7:15 a.m. the Saturday following to regain use of assigned stall. All vendors must arrive by 7:45 a.m. on Saturdays. Stall owners must inform the acting manager of when they will and will not be using their stalls. Non-stall owners and Daily vendors must check with the acting manager before entering the market area. All vendors MUST have paid applicable fees and have signed a Vendor’s Agreement before parking.
13. Product Liability and Sales Tax:
The Boone County Farmers Market, its Board of Directors, its manager(s) are not responsible for product liability or for the payment of sales tax for individual vendors.
14. Decorum:
No alcohol is allowed on premises. Inappropriate language or behavior, abuse, profanity, or other forms of harassment are grounds for immediate and permanent expulsion from the Market.
15. Prohibitions:
The Boone County Market reserves the right to prohibit ANYONE from selling at the market. The Board reserves the right to cancel privileges of any vendor who in its opinion has violated Market rules.
16. Discrimination:
The Boone County Farmers Market will not discriminate against anyone because of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, or sexual orientation.
17. Conditions of Right to Sell:
Copies of applicable licenses must be filed with the acting manager. As a condition of right to sell, the vendor agrees to release and hold harmless the Columbia Mall, the Boone County Farmers Market and its owners, manager(s), board(s), landlord(s), agent(s), and employees from all claims related to or arising from right to sell. Payment of fees states that vendor accepts this clause and agrees to follow all Market rules and allow inspection by appointment.