Gloucester Farmers Market

Market Rules

1.0	General - Summary of Rules
	1.	The Gloucester Farmers Market (Market) seeks to encourage local and regional growers of fresh, organic, biodynamic or minimal spray produce
	2.	Vendors must display their farm or business name, its location and distance from Gloucester
	3.	All prices must displayed in an appropriate manner
	4.	Vendors must have their reservation confirmation and copies of appropriate insurance certificates, licenses and permits available on Market day
	5.	Vendors are expected to participate in the market site setup and breakdown
	6.	Each Vendor is responsible for the safety of his or her own equipment, own products and is expected to maintain adequate liability insurance(s)
	7.	No sales are allowed before the market opens and after market closure
	8.	Vendors are expected to stay until the market closes for the day at 12noon
	9.	Vendors must leave their sites "broom clean" at the end of each market day
	10.	Any vendor can be expelled from the Market for failure to comply with the Market Rules

2.0	Introduction
	The purpose of the Market is to provide a sales outlet for area growers, an opportunity for consumers to purchase quality, farm-grown, fresh produce, a community gathering place and to promote economic growth by assisting new business creation and growth while creating retail traffic in the Gloucester town centre. The Gloucester Farmers Market is an initiative of Gloucester Shire Council as part of its Economic Development program.

3.0	Time, Place and Weather
	The Market takes place on the 2nd Saturday of each month on dates established annually and displayed on the Market website. The Market begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 12noon on market days and is located at the southern end of Billabong Park, Gloucester at the corner of Denison Street and Billabong Lane. Set-up for Vendors is between 7:00am and 8:30am. The Gloucester Farmers Market is a “Rain, Hail or Shine” market, meaning that the Market is held in Billabong Park, irrespective of the weather.

4.0	Who Can Sell?
	Only registered vendors, approved in accordance with these Market Rules may sell at the Market. Application for a market site must be made online using the Market website and submitted no later than the Wednesday preceding the Market date. Single, multiple or annual applications may be made at any time by completing one or more online site reservation(s). Sites will be made available on a ‘first come, first serve basis’ and should a vendor wish to retain a particular site location for multiple market dates or for the duration of the year, the application for each Market day must be submitted prior to the site being reserved by another Vendor. The Market reserves the right to prohibit anyone from selling at the market and to cancel the privileges of any Vendor who in the opinion of the Market Management has violated the Rules governing the Market. Fees will not be refunded in this case.

5.0	What Can Be Sold?

5.1	General
	All items sold must be produced, grown or wild-gathered by the vendor. The purchase of produce for resale at the Market is not allowed; however vendors may sell a limited amount of like produce on behalf of other growers so as to be able to provide a complete offering or where insufficient quantities of their own produce are available for sale.

5.2	Agricultural Produce
	Agricultural produce includes fruits, vegetables, grains, flowers, herbs, seedlings, bedding and potted plants. Bedding and potted plants must be grown from seed, cuttings, bulbs or bare root and be established in their current container by the Vendor. The purchase of plants for resale is not allowed.

5.3	Value-added Products
	Value-added products are goods that include agricultural products grown, raised or wild-gathered but not sourced commercially. These ingredients will be further processed by the vendor in some manner. It is recognised that some ingredients, such as sugar and spices, may need to be purchased commercially due to non-availability, however the Gloucester Farmers Market will list on its website possible sources of available ingredients. Value-added products include jams, salsas, oils, vinegars, olives, baked goods, wines, pickles, relishes and the like. Vendors of value-added products must comply with applicable packaging and labelling regulations

5.4	Meat and Animal Products
	This category includes meats, poultry, sausages, bacon, milk, cheese, eggs, farm-raised fish, honey, wool, leather, and other products derived from animals. All slaughtered animals must be in the Vendor's immediate custody, care and control for a minimum of 50% of the animal's life immediately before the time of slaughter. Vendors must comply with all applicable regulations, packaging, labelling and inspection requirements. No live animals other than rabbits, geese, chickens, ducks and other fowl intended for either human consumption or agricultural production (eg. eggs) are to be sold or displayed for sale at the Market.

5.5	Crafts & Homemade Items
	Crafts are not allowed at a true farmers' market. However, yarn, dried flowers, beeswax products, soaps and other intermediate products are permissible if incorporating ingredients raised, produced or gathered regionally by the Vendor.

5.6	Drinks
	Only drinks such as fresh fruit juices incorporating agricultural products grown or wild-gathered may be sold at the Market. Commercially manufactured drinks whether carbonated or still should not be sold at the Market. These items are available from main street retailers.

5.7	Samples
	Samples can be opened, arranged or cut for display or tasting at the Market provided they are properly stored and/or served in accordance with food handling requirements. Samples cannot be sold but may be offered for tasting on a ‘free of charge’ basis.

6.0	Vendor Guidelines
6.1	The Market reserves the right to inspect, by appointment, any vendor's farm or source of supply and production. The primary purpose of a visit/inspection will be to determine whether the participant is producing all that he or she is selling at the Market and the nature of production.
6.2	Each vendor is required to set and display their own selling prices. Prices should be set in keeping with customer satisfaction, profitability and consideration of other Market vendors and town retailers.
6.3	Any grievance regarding Vendors or their produce should not be directed to the Vendor in question, but the initial grievance should be reported to the Market Manager who will bring the concern to the attention of the Market Management who will advise those involved of what action is to be taken.
6.4	Inappropriate language, behaviour, music or lighting, profanity, noise or other harassment or abuse by a vendor or participant toward another vendor, participant, employee, or customer of the Market is grounds for immediate and permanent expulsion from the Market.
6.5	No customer or vendor vehicles will be allowed to move in or out of the Market site during Market hours. Access ramps providing access will be removed during Market hours. Set-up must be completed before the commencement of the Market at 8:30am and one hour will be allowed after the market closing time (12noon) for completion of sales, tear-down and site clean-up.
6.6	It is the responsibility of individual vendors to maintain a clean and healthy environment within their assigned site area and vendors are required to leave that area free of rubbish, debris and “broom clean” at the conclusion of each Market day. Nothing, including ‘oil’ or ‘grease’ is to be spilt or dumped within the Market site area or in the surrounding area or gardens; but must be disposed of in an appropriate manner using the waste bins provided as appropriate (waste/recycling).
6.7	Products should be displayed in an attractive manner and the vendor, location (distance from Gloucester) and pricing, displayed in an appropriate way.
6.8	Gazebos, canopies, tents, umbrellas and the like shall always be safely secured from unexpected weather events.
6.9	Packaging should be biodegradable wherever possible. Non-biodegradable, supermarket-type carrier bags are to be avoided.
6.10	Vendors are not permitted to re-sell, sublease or allow anyone else to use their space if not attending the Market on market day. If a site is not to be used by the Vendor, the Market Management can re-assign the available space to another stallholder. The site fee is non-refundable and the Vendor forfeits this fee and the right to the site if not attending on Market day, unless prior notice is provided 24 hours before the Market commences.

7.0	Market Safety
	Before participating in their first Market, Vendors must read and be familiar with the Market Safety Procedures. A printable copy of these Procedures may be downloaded from the Market website and form part of these Market Rules.

8.0	Site and Market Fees
	Site fees for each Market Day (as at 1-01-2010) are as follows:

	- Outdoor 3m x 3m Site (rental of ‘space’ only*)	$25.00
	- Provision of Electricity (see Testing & Tagging requirements)	$ 5.00
	- Use of 'Fundraising' site by not-for-profit organisations or clubs	FOC


	- Hosting & advertising on Market website (in addition to free listing):
	- once-off domain name registration and set-up fee	$50.00
	- annual hosting (excluding domain name renewal)	$35.00
	- page creation/modification (per page)	$35.00

	*Stallholders must supply all tables, canopies, shelters, scales, enclosures etc.

9.0	Cancellation or Change of Market Arrangements
	The Gloucester Farmers Market will be held “Rain, Hail or Shine”. In the event that there is a need to cancel or to change the Market arrangements from proceeding as normal, stallholders will be advised by 12noon on the preceding Friday.
	The Market reserves the right to change the size, shape and position of any site(s) as may be necessary

10.0	Legal Requirements

10.1	Electrical Testing & Tagging Requirements
	All shelters, equipment, fittings or materials used at the Market are subject to a safety inspection. The outward sign of electrical compliance with the Act will be an Electrical Test Tag to AS3760. If any shelters, equipment, fittings or materials are deemed not to comply with OHS&W regulations, or are considered to be unsafe for any reason, then they shall be removed from the site at the expense of the Vendor.

10.2	Packaging and Labelling
	All vendors must comply with appropriate packaging and labelling regulations and be in possession of any necessary licenses or permits required to produce or sell their products. Copies of these licenses or permits must be available for inspection on Market Day.

10.3	Weights and Measures
	Where required, vendors must possess the means to weigh all goods for sale using certified scales as required under the Weights & Measures Act.

10.4	Food Safety
	The construction, fit out, finishes and operation of all food stalls must comply with the NSW Food Act, 2003 including Standards 3.2.2 and 3.2.3 of the Australian and New Zealand Food Standards Code. Guidance may be obtained from “Food Handling Guidelines for Temporary Events” available from the NSW Food Authority.

10.5	Wine Vendors
	Wine vendors must have a copy of their license(s) available on Market Day and must display all required signage as stipulated by the NSW Casino Liquor and Gaming Control Authority. All wine stall participants must hold and have copies of their current RSA certificates available on Market Day.

11.0	Insurance & GST
	Gloucester Farmers Market is not responsible for public and product liability insurance or for the collection and payment of sales tax (GST) for individual vendors. Vendors must evidence an appropriate public and/or product liability insurance ‘Certificate of Currency’ when reserving a site (typically by providing policy details) and/or at the commencement of trading at the Market and provide promptly a copy of any annual renewal thereof. Failure to provide current insurance policy details will preclude participation in the Market.

11.0	Market Website and Use of Logos
	Gloucester Farmers Market maintains a modern and informative website that attracts ‘internet traffic’ from individuals interested in growing, fresh produce, healthy eating and community markets. The Market website displays extensive information of interest to producers, consumers, cooks and schools which encourage repeat visitation. For vendors who do not have their own website or who wish to take advantage of significant site traffic to promote their own products; domain name registration, web page creation and advertising are available on the Market website.
	Registered Vendors wishing to use the Gloucester Farmers Market logo(s) on their literature, letterhead, business cards or website (including links to the Market site), may do so free-of-charge by applying in writing and explaining how the Market logo(s) will be used. Written authorisation will be provided for appropriate use.