Become a Vendor

Thank you for your interest in the Crescent City Farmers Market. Since the market’s inception in 1995 we have depended on the region’s farmers, fishers and other entrepreneurs to bring forth the finest and freshest products. Without our quality vendors, our markets would not have known past success nor be hopeful of remaining a gathering place for strengthening both the local economy and the social fabric of our communities. We are grateful for your interest and encourage you to submit a vendor interest form so that we can potentially incorporate you into our market or direct you to a marketing outlet that will best fit your product and business structure.

Introduction to the Application Process

The Crescent City Farmers Market application process is mapped out in 8 steps. The process begins with an introduction; this gives us a chance to learn about your business and you a chance to learn more about our markets. The Crescent City Farmers Market has a set of criteria used to guide our admittance of new vendors; please review our application process by walking through the 8 steps below.

Steps to become a vendor at the
Crescent City Farmers Market



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Step 1: Learn about our market

While the market is shaped by the inclusion of quality products, there are certain elements of eligibility for the CCFM that extend beyond quality.

  • As a producer’s market, only vendors who grow or produce their own food-based product are invited to sell.
  • Value-added products are encouraged to incorporate local ingredients and reflect cultural authenticity
  • Vendors are grouped into 3 different product categories according to the food safety risk they present. Within those three categories, the market strives for a balance of 60% category 1 (broadly including raw fruits/vegetables), 20% category 2 (value-added products) and 20% category 3 (meat, poultry, seafood and dairy)
  • Vendors must be equipped to adhere to our food safety guidelines
  • Vendors must sign and comply with the CCFM social contract and adhere to the CCFM rules and regulations


Learn about our food handling guidelines and our product categories by reading our manual, From the Field to the Table.

Learn about the CCFM rules and regulations and social contract.

Learn about all of the purchase options we have at our market and our local currency, the Crescent.

Step 2: Submit a vendor interest form

After you’ve had the opportunity to learn more about our markets, we would like to learn about your business. Information submitted with the this form will provide a foundation to guide us. We will contact you within ten business days.

Step 3: Follow-Up Phone Call

With the information provided on the vendor interest form we will be able to forecast how the application process will proceed according to the kind of product you present and our current market balance. Should you be an eligible candidate for the CCFM, market staff will direct you to materials that will facilitate a successful completion of the application form. Should we not be a good fit for one another, market staff can answer questions about your business and our market and try to connect you to outlets that may present more ideal opportunities for your product.

Step 4: Application

If your business and the market are a good fit, market staff will guide you in completing an application form.

Step 5: Market Visit and Site of Production Visit

Upon completion of the application, market staff will be in touch to set-up a visit to the market for a guided tour and brief orientation. The market visit is an opportunity to see the market in action.

Once you have seen how our market operates, we will set up a time to visit your site of production. This visit is not an inquisition but rather a chance for our producers to highlight the skills and techniques that are the foundation of their business.

Step 6: Application Presented and Recommendations Made

An applicant’s file is complete with the conclusion of the market visit and site of production visit. Applicants intending to sell products in category 2 or 3 will need to provide a sample for the application review. The complete applicant file and any necessary samples will be presented to the market management team, a contingency composed of market shoppers, chefs, and current market vendors for review. Upon recommendation of the market management team, applicants will be notified of the decision. Applicants who are invited to join the market will be contacted to discuss a start date. Applicants who are not invited to join the market will be contacted to discuss the reasons and what steps can be taken to get involved in other direct marketing ventures.

Step 7:  Market Orientation

For applicants invited to sell at market, market staff will coordinate a time for you to arrive for your first day.  This is to ensure that you arrive with time to go over the materials enclosed in the vendor packet.

Step 8: Follow-up to the Application Process

Following your first 4-6 markets, market staff will schedule a time to go over your progress at market.  This is a time to discuss any struggles or initial issues and to see how you feel the application process helped your integration into market and how it might have been more beneficial.