Vendors' Column
Email Market Manager
Tel: 416-961-8787

Click to download 2009 Market Application Form (pdf - 420 kB)

Market Rules and Regulation for Vendors
9th Market Season
May 12th to October 27th, 2009

1. Location

The Riverdale Farmers' Market is located in Riverdale Park West flanking the pathway directly west of Simpson House.

2. Hours

In the year 2009 the Market will be open from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM each Tuesday (May 12th to October 27th).

Vendors may enter the park for setup at 2:00. Vehicles are not permitted in Riverdale Park. Vendors must arrive on time to ensure that their stall is open for business promptly at 3:00.

Vendors must not sell before 3:00. Stalls must remain open until 7:00 PM unless sold out.

3. Application and Selection Process

Participation in the Riverdale Farmers’ Market is by Invitation of the Manager.

The Market is producer-based; therefore, only applicants offering goods for sale which they have produced themselves will be considered. Absolutely no resellers or peddlers will be allowed in the Market.

However a producer may sell additional produce grown by a relative, a neighbour farmer or an approved association. The additional produce will be limited to 15% of the vendor’s product line. The intent of this exception is to increase the diversity of fresh produce offered to the customers.

If wild plants are to be harvested and sold, the GPS position must be included in the application and a letter from the land owner must accompany it. Absolutely no terminal purchases or imported produce will be allowed. The Market Management will visit the farms and businesses of vendors.

All vendors must have an application form on file with the Farmers’ Market Manager to be considered for space rental. Seasonal and other long term vendors should have their applications and fees (cheques) to 327 Carlton Street at first market (See fee schedule below).

Vendors are to provide their own tables and shelter.

Preference will be given to current long term vendors. A spirit of cooperation and community at the market is encouraged.

All products being sold in the Market will comply with applicable Provincial and Federal regulations regarding labelling, measuring, safety etc. Compliance with these regulations is the responsibility of the individual donor.

If you are a small manufacturer, to avoid complications when the Health Inspector calls please provide proof of health department inspected premises when application is submitted.

Producers shall sell only high quality, wholesome products at the market. Live animals cannot be sold at the Market.

In the year 2009 the Market Manager or her designate shall allocate vendor space as follows:

1. Renewing seasonal vendors have first choice of the space they would prefer.
2. New seasonal vendors have second choice of the remaining spaces.
3. Monthly vendors have third choice of the remaining spaces.
4. The Manager will assign daily vendors on a first come basis.

The final stall allocation will include an appropriate product mix and will be at the discretion of the manager.
Non profit organizations may be allocated one stall space for the purpose of fundraising or publicity. The organization might be limited to one yearly space allocation. The manager must approve all requests.

4. Fee Schedule

Any fees collected by the Market are for the purpose of promoting and operating the Farmers' Market. All cheques are to be made payable to The Friends of Riverdale Farm. NSF cheques will be charged an administration fee of $25.00.

The yearly membership fee will be $25.00 and must be paid prior to setting up at the market.

The following fees apply to a space with a 10 foot frontage. The market fees for 2009 are $25 per market or $500 per season. The seasonal market fees may be paid in 2 instalments May 12th and August 4th.

5. Vendor Requirements

• A vendor must be familiar with the rules and regulations of the Riverdale Farm Farmers’ Market and must comply with them fully.
• Prior to the first Market day vendors will supply the Market Manager with a list of items they will sell. (See application form) Vendors may only sell items listed with the manager. If the vendor repeatedly does not carry a listed item when in season, the market manager holds discretion to remove that item from the vendors list of items. The list may be modified during the course of the season with approval of the Market Manager.
• Vendors will post their names, farm location and products prominently on their stalls. Vendors are encouraged to personalize their stalls with stories and pictures and to share their farming background with their customers.
• Vendors must agree to bring an adequate supply of their primary product.
• Vendors agree to make their stall and products as attractive and as pleasing to the eye as they can.
• Vendors will adhere to the highest standards of quality, service and business.
• Subletting stalls is not permitted.
• Vendors shall honour Riverdale Farm Farmers’ Market promotions, e.g. basket raffles, cooking demos and sampling programmes.
• Vendors agree not to practice distress pricing.
• Vendors shall maintain their stalls in a neat, clean and orderly fashion. Vendors must keep their own refuse in a suitable container at their stall and remove the refuse when they leave. Park garbage containers are for the use of the customers only.
• Smoking is not permitted at any vendors stall.
• All vendors must comply with the requirements set by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and local Health Units (labelling produce by type, quantity and price, cooling, sanitation, etc.)(This means that if you sell prepared food, you must show documentation as to the location of the kitchen the food was prepared in and its Health Department inspection.
• Meat sellers must have documentation on the abattoir in which the animals were slaughtered.)
• Vendors are responsible for obtaining all necessary licenses, permits, inspections and certificates for the sale of their product.
• Compliance with both Provincial and Federal Sales Tax is the responsibility of the vendor.
• The Riverdale Farm Farmers’ Market is a market of local producers who follow sustainable and organic practices.
• Producers grow and sell their own produce.
• Producers may sell additional from a close neighbour or relative, providing the neighbour or relative also adheres to principles of sustainable and organic farming. Produce from neighbours must not exceed 15%.
• Wild-crafters must provide a GPS location of the land harvested and present written permission from the owner of those lands.
• Organic certification is encouraged. A written statement of farming practice is required.
• Absolutely no GMO produce or products are allowed.
• The Market Management will visit Vendor Farms
• All baked and manufactured goods must be GMO free.
Riverdale Farm Farmers’ Market encourages vendors to seek Local Flavour Plus Certification.

Vendors who repeatedly violate any of these rules and regulations shall be informed in writing that their membership is under review and could be revoked.

These are the rules established for 2009. There may need to be modifications in the year 2009.

The market Management reserves the right to reassign stall locations based on the increase in vendors in the 2009 season to achieve the most appropriate product mix.

The Farmers’ Market Manager shall deal with any item of business not specifically covered by these rules.

Riverdale Farm Farmer’s Market will be in its ninth season in 2009.

Riverdale Farm Farmers' Market is in its ninth season in 2009. The Market operates from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM each Tuesday, May 12th to October 27th. Market is located in Riverdale Park West, click for MapQuest

Riverdale Farm Farmers’ Market will be held on The Boulevard on the north side of Winchester St.

Vendors will park on the north side facing west.

Shoppers please park on the South side.

There will be no washroom facilities for shoppers.

We have the blessing of Parks Administration and the Union.

Riverdale Farm Farmers' Market starts next Tuesday May 12.

The Friends of the Farm will again be making Pizza and a weekly salad and will keep the oven going to cook your purchases so you can enjoy a family supper at the picnic tables. We look forward to seeing and hearing Mad Dog singing and Winnie playing the dulcimer. Alana Cline will open the market with Oh Canada played on her fiddle and the Riverdale Youth singers will perform at 5:30. Not everyone will be at first market but over the coming weeks our old friends will be coming as the crops start to grow. We welcome newcomers Jim Hayward of Haystrom Farm who grows a whole new range of heritage vegetables and Jan Vanderbroek of the Waffle Bar with his delicious Belgian Waffles, perfect for serving with fruit and sheep’s milk yogurt or ice cream from Best Baa. We have our fingers crossed that Grenville Farms will once more be with us. Once again this year we are going to try make the market as waste free as possible. Bring your cloth bags and your own dishes if you can. If you don't have a bag, buy one from us. We have some great new jute bags which sell for $3.00 or you could get one free by joining The Friends of Riverdale Farm. See you next week! Don’t forget to bring your knives for Denzil of Exact Edge to sharpen. Bring your appetite as well!

Scroll down for our 2009 market vendors!

Our 2009 Market Vendors

Rolling Hills Organics, Roseneath ON
Contact: Peter Finch 705-924-1933, herbs@rollinghillsorganics.com
From their mineral-rich glacial till soils, they produce the freshest in succulent local, premium organic salad greens (including arugula, mescluns, lettuces, spinach, chards, kales) as well as a range of certified organic vegetables, fresh herbs, cut flowers, grass-fed and grass-finished small breed Dexter beef. They also make pestos, pickles, jams, salad oils and vinegars, dried herbs using our produce. Farmers Peter and Peter bring it all to market.

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