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JOIN OUR

MARKET FAMILY

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2024 VENDOR APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN 

                    

Thank you for your interest in joining the Farmers & Makers Market! Our Sunalta market at the Sunalta Community Association, open Saturdays May 25 through October 5, 2024. 

 

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The Farmers & Makers Markets are proud to serve as low-barrier small business incubators and marketplaces for our vendor family, a diverse community of local farmers, growers, ranchers, bakers, brewers, specialty and home-based food producers, cottage artisans and more. More than 90% of our vendors make, bake or grow what they bring to the market, and each is carefully screened and scheduled to ensure a well-rounded and reliable marketplace with the highest quality goods available every market day, rain or shine. We maintain some of the highest standards among Alberta Approved Farmers Markets, for both our vendors and our organization, and are some of the most successful farmers markets in our area. 

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The Farmers & Makers Markets are certified Alberta Approved Farmers Markets operated by the not-for-profit Calgary Earth Market Society, founded in 2018 by vendors and community supporters to operate Alberta Approved farmers markets in Calgary. Read on to learn more about vendor information, joining our markets, and the application process.

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2024 Vendor Stall Fees:

We are proudly non-profit, enabling us to offer some of the lowest cost, highest value vendor fees in Calgary. Stall fees include 10x10 stall spaces in carefully curated markets at beautiful marketplace venues with live music and our free Kids Arts & Culture Program; linked vendor business listings on our website, social media, print, postcard and street sign advertising, and more!

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Being certified as "Alberta Approved" by the Alberta government's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's Farmers Market Program means that our markets (and all our vendors) are required to adhere to the guidelines of the program, along with provincial and federal legislation for Farmers Markets outlined in Part 3 of the Alberta Public Health Act Food Regulation, the Supporting Alberta’s Local Food Sector Act, AGLC, federal Safe Food For Canadians and Product Labelling legislation, the City of Calgary bylaw and business requirements, and others. We publish an annual Vendor Handbook that outlines the basics of these requirements,  but it is up to each vendor to research, know and comply to all requirements according to their type of product, place of preparation, and their at-market offerings. 

Alberta Approved Farmers Markets:

  • are part of a group of over 140 Approved Farmers Markets province-wide, and 12 in Calgary and area, regulated and supported by the Approved Farmers Market Program.

  • are required to ensure at least 80% of everything vended at the market is made, baked or grown here in Alberta, and being vended by the makers, bakers or growers themselves. (Our minimum at the F&MM is 90%)

  • are required to operate as not-for-profit and with a minimum number of market days each season to foster equitable & meaningful market access for local farmers, makers and bakers, and local food access for shoppers

  • have special regulations from Alberta Health, and are the only type of market where vendors are legally allowed to vend both low and high-risk foods prepared in home kitchens, as all vendors fall under the Market food permit, and the Market Manager's inspection.

  • are required to have a  certified Farmers Market Manager

  • must report annually to and be monitored by the Alberta Government's Approved Farmers Market Program, and Alberta Health Services 

  • are able to become members, as are their vendors, of the Alberta Farmers Market Association, a province-wide organization supporting, educating, and providing resources for their market and vendor members

 

*Find more info about the Alberta Approved Farmers Market Program, and the Alberta Farmers Market Association by clicking their logos to reach their websites

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HERE ARE THE STEPS TO JOIN OUR VENDOR FAMILY:

STEP 2 - Consider the fit.

We are committed to providing complete, consistent and welcoming food-primary weekly farmers markets markets where local makers, bakers and growers connect directly with, and sell their goods to, local shoppers to take home market day; a trusted place for building relationships and supporting local businesses. To best support both vendors and shoppers we:

               

  • Prioritize full time vendors, followed by biweekly vendors, followed by irregular vendors

  • Do not accept drop-in or trial vendors (and discourage occasional vendors) - but do have an incubator program for new businesses new to markets

  • Will not grant exclusivity to any one vendor, but do limit the number of vendors in any one category to prevent over-saturation while also offering shoppers choices. 

  • Vendors with storefronts or retail agreements are considered after those without, and these vendors must ensure prices at our markets are the same or less than regular retail pricing to reflect the market's direct to consumer environment.

STEP 1 - Check to see if you qualify. 

As an Alberta Approved Farmers Market, we support and follow these qualifying guidelines: 

                  

  • We love to support start-ups, home-based and first-time market vendors, along with seasoned market vendors and established maker, baker, grower businesses at our markets.

  • Home growers and vendors preparing food in home kitchens are allowed to be vendors.

  • We prioritize Alberta made, baked and grown, the closer to the market the better.

  • We do not accept franchises or distributorships, or businesses selling services.

  • Resellers, and products or businesses originating outside Alberta are only considered if the products are considered essential (by us) to the market mix.

  • Used items, flea items, and products containing CBD or THC are expressly prohibited

  • Businesses interested in marketing/solicitation opportunities instead of vending locally-made-by-them products to take home market day are considered Exhibitors. Learn more about how to become an Exhibitor by clicking HERE. 

STEP 3 - THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS BEFORE YOU APPLY.            

Our vendors are required to sign a contract agreeing to attendance, expectations, and requirements as outlined in our Vendor Handbook. Non-compliance may result in a vendor losing their vending privileges and paid vendor fees (and even has the potential to result in the closure of the market itself). These last steps will help you be as prepared as possible: 

                 

STEP 4 - Complete our online application.

Please have any and all applicable food handling certifications, licenses, desired schedule and second-choice dates (if not full-time), your product list/menu and pricing list ready to include in your application. 

                  

  • Click the Apply Now button below, to complete and submit your application.

  • Remember to etransfer your application fee of $26.25 to farmersmakersmarket@gmail.com in order to have your application processed.

STEP 5 - Hang in there while we review and notify applications.

Applications are accepted on an on-going basis throughout the season, however, target intake months are February/March for summer and June/July for winter seasons. Please note because of the number of applications we receive during target months, only vendors under consideration will be contacted.

                

  • Vendors will be notified of their status as soon as possible, and no later than 2 weeks after the closing date. 

  • Successful applicants will be required to complete a vendor contract and meet payment terms upon acceptance, and meet insurance requirements at least 5 business days prior to their first market. ​

STEP 6 - Get Ready for Market Day!

Welcome to the family, we're here for you! We're firm believers that education and excellent communication are essential to seamless and successful market days for everyone. In addition to keeping vendors in the loop with weekly pre-market day emails, we assist vendors in getting started with these great resources: 

  • All new vendors are required to attend a pre-season vendor orientation, to which returning vendors are welcome. During the meeting vendors will meet our team, review the venue and market-day logistics, have the opportunity to ask questions and meet fellow members of their new market community. 

We are committed to creating a diverse, complete and reliable marketplace with the highest quality, locally produced products available. The F&MM & Calgary Earth Market Society reserve unconditional discretion to accept or refuse anyone as a market vendor; the selection process takes into consideration many factors to ensure the most likely success of vendors and the market overall.  

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