Prescott Farmers Market: Saturdays, May 15th – October 30th 7:30 am – 12:00 pm, main parking lot of Yavapai College, 1100 E. Sheldon

Prescott Valley Farmers Market: Tuesdays, June 1st - September 28th 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Entertainment District (location TBA)

Chino Valley Farmers Market:  Thursdays, June 3rd – September 30th 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm, Bonn Fire Grill Restaurant, 1667 S. Highway 89      

I. Mission  

The Prescott Farmers Market supports and fosters local agriculture by providing a direct market for producers, providing consumers an opportunity to purchase locally produced agricultural goods, and educating the community about the importance of local agriculture.

II.       Statement of Purpose 

• To give agricultural producers of Yavapai County and Arizona alternative marketing opportunities that help them to sustain their local, family businesses;
• To serve as a business incubator by giving producers an opportunity to test and refine their products and marketing skills with minimal investment;  
• To build community by bringing farmers and urban consumers together to deal directly with each other, allowing them to trust, know, and learn from one another;
• To improve the variety, freshness, taste, and nutritional value of produce available in the Prescott area;
• To provide an educational forum for consumers to learn the uses and benefits of quality, locally grown, and prepared food products;
• To support a clean environment through good agricultural practices, which preserves open space, water, soil, and biodiversity, and reduces fossil fuel use by minimizing the distance that food travels;
• To contribute to the local economy by keeping food dollars in the community;
• To enhance the quality of life in the greater Prescott area by providing a community activity that fosters social gathering and interaction.
• To ensure food security – by supporting local farms today, there will be farms in the community tomorrow and future generations will have access to nourishing, flavorful, and abundant food. 

III.     Members               

The Prescott Farmers Market (PFM) is a non-profit agricultural cooperative operated by a Board of Directors.  The Board is elected by the members of the PFM.  Members are informed of their membership status in writing before the close of the market each season.  Members may nominate any individual to serve on the board.  Members may vote for new Directors of the Board at the annual meeting in November.  A member in good standing shall meet the following requirements: 

A. The owner or primary corporate officer of a participating entity must be a resident of Yavapai County, or an out-of-county vendor who serves as a director for a full term of three (3) years.

B. Who has paid annual membership dues and fees to the corporation by September 1 of the preceding season,

C. Who has participated in at least 3 market days in the preceding season,

D. And whose main product(s) must be an agricultural product grown/harvested/produced in Yavapai County by said member. Products can include, but are not limited to, fruits, vegetables, grains, honey, meats, milk and milk products and other items deemed by the Board of Directors to be considered locally produced agricultural products. 

IV. Application Process and Fees 

A. Applications must be received by April 15, 2010 and include:   

1. Completed and signed application, by which the vendor agrees to abide by the PFM 2009 Rules and Regulations.
2. Complete and accurate crop plan or product list.
3. Copy of liability insurance or signed indemnity agreement.
4. Check, money order, or paypal payment for $50 (per 10'x10' booth)
5. Copy of all applicable licenses and permits necessary to sell. 

B. All vendor applications will be reviewed by the Vendor Selection Committee, which is appointed by the Board of Directors.      

C.  All vendors must receive written approval by the Vendor Selection Committee before selling at the market.  No vendor will receive written approval prior to receipt of all application components. The Vendor Selection Committee has the right to accept or reject any applicant.  If an application is rejected, all fees will be refunded. 

D. All products sold must be grown or produced by the vendor or his/her employee.  Only the products listed on the crop plan or product plan will be allowed for sale.  Changes to the crop/product plan must be submitted in writing and approved in writing by the Vendor Selection Committee before selling the proposed addition. 

E.  Applications submitted after the application deadline will be reviewed on a monthly basis and admitted as space permits and as proposed product fits into overall market mix. 

F.  PFM offers a “community booth” to short-term vendors.  This is a shared booth space.  Community booth vendors are required to pay the 10% of daily sales and are subject to farm/production site inspections.    PFM will provide a shared tent and a three-foot table for up to four vendors at a time on a first come, first serve basis. There is no upfront seasonal fee for use of the community booth for up to four weeks.  On the fifth week, the $50 seasonal fee will be charged to the vendor and the vendor will move to his/her own space and furnish his/her own tent and table.  

G.  Vendors are accepted into the market on an annual basis.  Acceptance into the market in a previous year does not ensure that vendor will be accepted in future years.

 V. Insurance           

All vendors and non-profit groups must provide PFM with a copy of General and Product Liability insurance, naming Prescott Farmers Market, Inc., as additional insured, or a signed indemnity agreement releasing PFM from responsibility.      

VI. Vendor Products 

A.  The PFM is a producer only-market.  No reselling is permitted. 

1. If you buy and resell a product that you also produce yourself, you may not sell that category of product at the Prescott Farmers Market. For example: If you grow red apples, but you also buy red apples for resale to supplement your other sales,  you may not sell any red apples at the Prescott Farmers Market, even if they are your own.           

B.  PFM reserves the right to accept or reject any vendor.  Acceptance into PFM will be based on the following list of acceptable products:

     1.  Agricultural Products - that are raised by the producer in the state of Arizona and which may include:                       

          a. Vegetables and fruits                       

          b. Flowers, herbs, plants, and nursery crops                       

          c. Nuts, seeds, and grains which are unprocessed                       

          d. Meat, eggs, and unprocessed dairy products (further regulations may apply)                       

          e. Honey, wool, and other unprocessed animal products                                   

     2.  Crafts

          a. Herbal, therapeutic and toiletry products: 10% of the ingredients used in your total product list must be grown or legally wild harvested in Arizona.  Product lists including ingredient lists must be submitted with application and ingredient sourcing should be listed to show ability to comply with percentage of Arizona grown requirements.

          b. All other crafts: 80% of each individual craft item must be an agricultural product grown or legally wild harvested in Arizona.  Product lists including ingredient lists must be submitted with application and ingredient sourcing should be listed to show ability to comply with percentage of Arizona grown requirements.            

     3.  Prepared, processed and pre-packaged food

          a. 10% of the ingredients used in your total product list must be grown or legally wild harvested in Arizona.  Product lists including ingredient lists must be submitted with application and ingredient sourcing must be listed to show ability to comply with percentage of Arizona grown requirements.

          b. All processed food must be produced in a health department-approved kitchen and vendor must have a license in their individual or company name.  Licenses must be on file with the market manager and on display at the market or available for review at all times.

          c. All products sold at the market must be produced by the vendor or his/her  company.  Repacking and co-packing are not permitted.                         

     4. Food Contractors - additional food vendors may be solicited by the PFM to sell products that enhance the mission of the PFM, in its sole discretion.                       

     5. Non-profit organizations

          a.  Non-profit organizations offering services and information of general interest to PFM’s customers will be admitted by PFM based on space availability and compatibility with PFM’s mission.  Political and religious advocacy organizations are excluded from participating in the PFM.

          b. Non-profit booths are not permitted to sell any products, unless it is for fundraising purposes and the Vendor Selection Committee approves the products in writing.

          c. Non-profit organizations will be required to submit an application and proof of insurance or a signed indemnity agreement but will not be required to pay seasonal booth, inspection fees, or daily sales fees.  

VII. Inspections

A.  Representatives of the PFM shall have the right to conduct inspection(s) of the production areas of the products sold by a vendor at the Market.  An inspection may include ownership information and any other information relevant to determining product legitimacy.  An owner, operator, or person listed on the application must be on hand and assist during site inspection.   

B.  Recipes and receipts for processed and crafted product ingredients must be on file and available during the inspection. 

C. Date and time of inspection shall be agreed upon by vendor and PFM representative.  Follow-up or surprise inspections may be conducted without prior notice as deemed necessary by PFM representative. 

D. Failure to allow an inspection will constitute a violation of PFM rules and the procedures outlined under “Section IX” will be followed.  

VIII. Market Day Operations and Rules           

A.  Space Assignments

     1. On the first day of market season, vendors will be assigned spaces by the market manager.    

     2. Attempts will be made to assure vendors maintain the same approximate space each week.

     3. Due to concerns of market esthetics, vendor’s spaces may be moved by the market manager throughout the season.

     4. Space assignments may be moved due to late arrivals, special events, and fluctuation in overall size of the market.

     5. Vendors must occupy their assigned space(s) at least 30 minutes prior to the opening of the market or the market manager may assign the space to another vendor.

     6. Vendors are expected to notify the market manager of intended absences at least 24 hours in advance.

     7. Two absences or late arrivals without prior notice will result in revocation of seasonal space assignments. 

     8.  All on–site decisions by the market manager are final and binding.  Any appeals must follow the procedures outlined in “Section IX.”            

B. Income Reporting

     1. Vendors will pay 10% of their daily sales to PFM at the close of each market day.

     2. Vendors will use envelopes supplied by PFM to report and pay daily sales.  Envelopes must be turned in at or before 1 p.m. on the day of the market.

     3.  The PFM relies on the honor system for vendor daily sales reporting.  PFM reserves the right to randomly audit vendor sales as deemed necessary.            

C.  Selling for Another Vendor

     1. A vendor or his/her employees can sell another vendor’s products provided the following criteria are met:

          a. The other grower/producer is a currently approved PFM vendor.

          b. Products being sold adhere to the rules set forth in “Section VI” and were not purchased, traded or bartered for.

          c. Income is reported separately for each vendor. 

D. Market Safety

     1. Vendors may not begin setting-up until ninety minutes prior to market opening and breakdown must begin promptly at closing with complete clean-up of booth area finished within one hour.

     2. Vendors will sell at designated booth space and maintain the space in a sanitary and safe condition.       

     3. Vehicles may park behind booth space that can accommodate a vehicle without disrupting the market.  For booth spaces that cannot accommodate a vehicle, vendors may bring in vehicles for unloading, provided the vehicle is removed from the market area at least 15 minutes prior to market opening.

     4. Late arrival participation will be contingent on available space.  Vendors who arrive late must park outside of designated market boundaries and carry product to booth space.

     5. Vendors are responsible for the safety and behavior of their children and animals.

     6. Vendors are responsible for weighting and/or tying down their tents and umbrellas with 20 lbs. of weight on each tent leg to sufficiently eliminate wind disruption and danger.  Vendors are liable for any damage occurring from their personal property. A vendor that does not supply their own weights may rent them from PFM (if available) or will be required to take down their tent. 

E. General Market Rules

1. Vendors may not begin selling before the opening bell and must stop at the closing bell.
2. Pre-market sales, post-market sales, and early breakdown are only allowed with permission of the market manager.
3. All permits necessary to sell must to be on display or available for review at all times.
4. All scales must bear a current seal from the Dept. of Weights and Measures.
5. Signs will be accurate and truthful.
6. Vendors who market their products as “Organic” must provide proof of certification to the market and manager and have certificate on display.
7.  Music played must not be disruptive to neighboring booths or to the overall market.
8.  Coupons from the Arizona Farmers Market Nutrition Program (AZFMNP) will only be accepted by “Approved Growers” who are registered with the AZFMP.
9. The PFM distributes tokens that are purchased by customers with food stamps (blue tokens) or credit/debit cards (green tokens).  Blue tokens may only be accepted for purchases that are food stamp-eligible.  Green tokens may be accepted for any purchase.  Tokens will be reimbursed for cash at the end of the market day by the market manager.
10. The PFM does not allow the solicitation of signatures for political organizations or individuals.      

IX. Enforcement of Market Rules  

A. Vendors and management are expected to maintain high standards of honesty and respect toward one another and customers and to conduct themselves in a courteous and helpful manner.  Rudeness and dishonesty are grounds for suspension from the market. 

B. The market manager and board president have discretion to make any on-site decisions regarding market violations. 

C. Any vendor violating the rules and regulations of the PFM or the regulations of Yavapai County Health Department or other local, state, or federal agencies may be issued a written or verbal warning for market violations by the market manager or board president. Verbal warnings will be recorded and if the problem is not corrected in a timely manner, a written warning will be issued.  The continued or repeated non-compliance shall result in a written advisement of expulsion from the market.  It is possible for all of this to occur in a single market day.  Expulsion is permanent until the vendor is reinstated by the board of directors.  

D. Violation of PFM rules discovered during an inspection may result in a written warning or advisement of expulsion depending on the severity of the violation.  Vendors who are expelled from the market may not return until they are reinstated by the board of directors.  Vendors who are expelled from the market due to violations found during inspections will not be refunded any application or booth fees. 

E. Any person wishing to file a complaint about the market or an individual vendor must do so in writing to the PFM board.  Forms will be available on site at the market.  

F. Any serious violations or illegal activity will be reported to the proper authorities. 

X. Appeals 

A. Vendors have the right to appeal any decision of a notice of violation or expulsion to the PFM Board of Directors.

     1. Appeals must be received in writing by the Board of Directors within two weeks of the violation/expulsion date.

     2. Appeals should contain an explanation of the situation, grounds of the appeal, and proposed solution.

     3. The board will respond to the appeal at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

     4. An in-person meeting between the vendor and the board may be granted to discuss the appeal at the discretion of the board of directors.   

B. Decisions of the board of directors are final and binding. 

C. Vendors who are expelled from the market may only be readmitted by a majority vote of the board of directors.   

Resources and Contacts 

• Yavapai County Health Dept (prepared foods): Cecil Newell (928) 442-5492 or main # (928) 771-3149
• Maricopa County Health Dept: Central Office (602)506-6984 or Plan Review-Donna (602)506-6980
• Farmers Market Nutrition Program: Allison Giles (602)542-0389
• Department of Weights and Measures (scales): (623) 463-9946 or 1-800-277-6675 ext 9946
• Arizona Department of Agriculture (meat and dairy): (602) 542-4373
• Tax Department – State of AZ: (602) 716-6010
• Tax Department – City of Prescott: (928) 777-1268