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About the Marketplace | How to Apply | Meetings | How It Works | Produce/Product Guidelines | Things to Consider
The Merriam Farmers' Marketplace welcomes your interest in participating in our farmers' market program. If you have additional questions, please contact the Merriam Parks and Recreation Department at (913)322-5550.
The Merriam Farmers' Marketplace is a "farmers'" market. Products for sale must be home grown as much as possible or homemade. Commercially manufactured products ie: Amway, Discovery Toys, Made in China, etc. are not accepted at this venue.
About the Marketplace…
The marketplace is owned by The City of Merriam and operated by the City of Merriam Parks and Recreation Department.
Season:
The Merriam Farmers' Marketplace will be open for the General Season on Saturdays from May 5th - October 13th, 2012; (On Sept. 8th, the Car Show will be held at the Marketplace and the vendors will move across the street to the southeast parking lot to sell. Season vendors are not be charged for this date.). Marketplace Hours -
Saturdays: 7am-1pm
Previous Year Vendors:
All 2011 seasonal space holders may have first option (if they qualified from 2011). Thereafter registration is on a first come first served basis.
How to Apply:
Applications are accepted anytime: To apply, simply fill out anapplication, and return to Merriam Parks & Recreation Department, Attn: Farmers' Marketplace, 5701 Merriam Drive, Merriam, KS 66203. Make checks payable to the "City of Merriam"
Farmers' Market Full Time Application (pdf)
Because of the popularity of this program, it is a good idea to call first to ensure spaces are still available. There are no refunds.
Applications are accepted anytime: 2011 General Season vendors will have the option to secure their 2012 space until January 31st. After January 31st, vendor space will be filled on a first come, first serve basis upon review and acceptance of application.
Meetings:
Meetings for the 2012 Farmers' Market season: TBA
How the Marketplace Works…
| Who may sell:
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Any adult (18 yrs and older) can sell produce/product at this marketplace, as long as all conditions in this brochure are satisfied. |
| Set up: |
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The marketplace shelter is lighted. Each space will have access to 110 volt outlets. |
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Vendors must supply their own tables and any equipment necessary for the operation of their business. |
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No gas powered equipment may be used at this marketplace. This includes gasoline, propane, natural gas, etc. |
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All booths must fit into roughly a 9'W x 10'L space. In addition, each vendor receives one parking space adjacent to booth. All produce/product must be kept within the confines of the designated space. |
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All vendors are responsible for protecting their neighboring booths from any residuals from their own booths. |
| Storage: |
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There is no storage available. |
| Space occupation: |
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Each space is numbered and will be pre-assigned. |
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Daily vendors must wait to be assigned by the marketplace supervisor on market day. |
| Music Zone: |
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Vendors are advised that spaces in the middle of the Marketplace are louder than others due to entertainment. |
| Restrooms & Drinking Fountains: |
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There are permanent restroom facilities and a drinking fountain on site for public use. |
| Arrival & Departure: |
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Vendors may start their set up as early as 6 a.m. on market day and must be in place by 7:00am. Thereafter, slots will be available to daily vendors. The shelter is lighted. All vendors are encouraged to stay until close, but may leave early as long as they check out with the Market Supervisor. Overnight parking is not permitted. |
| Safety: |
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The Marketplace Supervisor is the safety officer on the site. His/her word is final. |
| Disputes: |
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The Marketplace Supervisor's decisions are final for on-site disputes. Appeals can be directed to the Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation the week following the dispute. |
| City's Responsibility: |
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The City of Merriam will provide each vendor with a partially covered parking space next to a 9'W x 10'L covered space. |
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The City will provide adequate refuse containers, not to be used for produce trimmings or other by-products of items being sold. |
| Sales & Weather: |
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There is no guarantee of sales and cancellations as this is a covered facility and the market goes on rain or shine. Prices will not be regulated by the City. |
| Emergencies: |
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Emergency condition alerts will be provided to vendors and the public as they are received. The IBF Community Center is designated as a safety shelter for that area and anyone may utilize the facility for shelter during an emergency. |
| Produce/Product Guidelines: |
| Produce: |
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Only the following produce/products may be sold at the Merriam Farmers' Marketplace: fruit, vegetables, preserves, honey, bread products, baked goods, flowers, and plants. NOTE: Vendors must have a valid State of Kansas Food Service License on hand & displayed when selling any cooked or baked goods not included in the following exemptions: cookies, bread, cakes, honey, jams, & jellies. Packaged products must be labeled w/common name, vendor name & address |
| Food & Drink (concessions): |
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the City considers the concessions a regular booth and will not regulate prices of approved vendor. Contact the Parks & Recreation Department at (913) 322-5550 to see if food & drink vendors are needed. |
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Sale of animals, fresh meat/meat products, eggs, poultry and fish is prohibited. Frozen meat or meat products, seafood, and poultry is permitted when they are from an inspected source, properly labeled and maintained frozen. |
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*Inspection certificates shall be displayed at all times during market hours of operation |
| Arts & Crafts |
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Hand-made arts and crafts may be sold during hours of operation of farmers market. IE: Kit crafts and mass produced manufactured crafts are not accepted. |
| Imports: |
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No produce may be imported from outside the United States and all produce is subject to all State/Federal regulations. |
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No commercially produced items may be sold. Pet adoption agencies may set up in a special location, by first contacting the Merriam Parks & Recreation Department. |
Things to Consider:
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If selling cooked foods, you must have your State of Kansas Food Service License on location and in view at all times. Exemptions: cookies, bread, cakes, honey, jams & jellies. Packaged products must be labeled with common name, vendor name & address. |
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Vendors are responsible for collecting and remitting State of Kansas sales tax. |
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Seasonal space sales and daily space sales made in advance, may be paid with MasterCard or Visa, Check or Cash |
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The 2012 Turkey Creek Car & Motorcycle Show will be held on September 8, 2012. Farmers' Market will be relocated on this date to Merriam Drive, just north of the entrance to the Marketplace). Seasonal vendors will not be charged for this date. |
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Seasonal vendors missing 20% or more of participating season will lose their space priority option for the 2011 season. Cancellations by the Parks & Recreation Department due to inclement weather will not count against this absentee rate. |
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Entertainment - We are currently working on a schedule for 2012 and as soon as we finish the details, we will be advertising the entertainment throughout both seasons. |
For more information on the Farmers' Market, including vendor information, call Susan Hayden at 913-322-5550 or e-mail shayden@merriam.org |
