We are very excited to announce the SoWa Winter Farmer’s Market. Every Sunday, November 20th through April 29th (excluding December 25, 2011 and January 1, 2012). Indoors at 485 Harrison Ave. A place where local producers and community members can connect through the autumn, winter, and spring seasons. In order to make the market run smoothly, please read the following information and guidelines before filling out the application.

Vendor Guidelines:
The intention of the SoWa Winter Farmers’ Market is to showcase the bounty of food products from the New England region all year long; the market focuses exclusively on food and agricultural products. Vendors of crafts and other non-food items are welcome to apply if these products are made using locally-grown or raised products or are related to agriculture (for example, products made with local goat milk, herbs/flowers, beeswax, honey, wool, etc.).

Market Location: Indoors at 485 Harrison Ave, Boston MA.

Days and Hours of Operation:
The SoWa Winter Farmers’ Market operates November 20, 2011 through April 29, 2012. Excluding December 25, 2011 and January 1, 2012. Selling day is Sunday. Selling times are from 10AM-3PM.

SoWa Winter Farmers’ Market Calendar:

• November 2011 –  20, 27
• December 2011 – 4, 11, 18
• January 2012 – 8, 15, 22, 29
• February 2012 – 5, 12, 19, 26
• March 2012 – 4, 11, 18, 25
• April 2012 – 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Vendor Fees:
No payment is due until you have been notified of your acceptance. Please make checks payable to NE Open Markets, LLC. All fees are non-refundable; please contact the Market Manager as soon as possible in the case of extenuating circumstances.

• $40 per market for entire season (18-22 markets), paid up-front
• $44 per market (12-17 markets), paid up-front
• $48 per market (6-11 markets), paid up-front
• $55 per market (1-5 markets), payments due 7 days in advance

Vendor Requirements:

• Vendors must complete the City of Boston Health Department form for Farmers Markets and have it approved, as well as obtaining any other necessary licenses, permits, certificates, and/or inspections as pertain to the products they sell. Vendors are required to have a copy of these at their booth at all times.
• Vendors who pay per market are required to notify the Market Manager at least 5 days in advance if they are unable to attend a market for which they are scheduled. Whether you have paid in advance or pay per market: please always contact us whenever you need to cancel; it helps us greatly in our planning! All cancellations must be made by email sent to: info@sowaopenmarket.com
• Vendors may not choose their own location or give their space away. Only the Market Manager can assign spaces.
• Vendors who sign up and pay in advance of the market season for 18 or more markets will be assigned a permanent location.
• Vendors who add or change products must get Market Manager approval.
• Vendors are responsible for providing their own tables and setup material, signage, bags, change, etc. NO CASH OR COIN CHANGE is available from the market; please come prepared.
  
• The market cannot accept non-approved walk-in vendors who arrive unannounced on the day of the market. Vendors who have an approved application on file may send a request at any time for inclusion in any market they’ve not previously been scheduled for, but must be sure that they’ve received confirmation before attending that particular market.
  
• The conditions of the 460 Harrison Ave warehouse space–including lighting, temperature, electrical functioning, etc.–are largely outside the control of the market and Market Manager, and may not be immediately fixable, as the market occurs on the weekend. If a problem arises, please bring your concerns to the Market Manager, who will work with Stonegate Properties to correct the problem at the soonest possible opportunity. We appreciate your patience and understanding with any issues of this nature.

Product Requirements:
The intention of the Winter Farmers’ Market is to showcase the bounty of food products from our region all year long. The emphasis of this market is on local producers and is subject to case-by-case consideration. The committee will consider applications individually and make decisions based upon the sustainability and locality of each vendor’s products. Products that will be considered include:

• Raw and unprocessed farm products grown/raised by the vendor. Examples include: vegetables, fruits, meats, eggs, dairy products, nuts, honey, and herbs.
• Value-added products made from locally-grown/raised products (preferably grown by the vendor or sourced from another vendor), which the vendor has self-processed. Methods for processing include: canning, baking, cooking, drying. A note about baked goods: please know that we receive many, many applications from potential vendors wishing to sell baked goods at the market. Top priority will be given to those who consistently use significant amounts of local ingredients in their baked goods.
• Vendor-processed non-food items given first priority will be those derived from farm products grown by the vendor or another vendor, or that are farm/garden related. Examples include: wool, milk soaps, herbal products, beeswax products, etc.
• All products must be labeled and priced.

SoWa Winter Market Grievance Policy
:
The Market Manager has the right to deny or restrict any vendor or vendor representative’s access to the market for failure of not following the Farmers Market Policy. Problems, complaints or concerns must be directed immediately to the Market Manager. Any grievance that cannot be resolved between a vendor and the Market Manger may be submitted in writing within 14 days of the occurrence for settlement.

The SoWa Winter Market strives to provide a fair and equal opportunity for all participants to sell and purchase only quality products at a fair and reasonable price. All vendors and the SWM Market Manager have received a copy of the SWM rules and understand the importance of their cooperation. The grievance procedure is in place to help insure this policy is followed.

If you feel a vendor or any other participant has acted in a way that harms the SWM please email info@sowaopenmarket.com the following information:

1. 
Name
2. Phone Number
3. Email Address
4. Name of Vendor in Question
5. List Infractions
6. Date of Occurrence

All grievances will receive a written response within two weeks of submission.