VENDOR GUIDELINES:

1. Vendor Requirements:

In accordance with our mission statement, the BWFM exclusively showcases food and agricultural products. Any exception is subject to case­‐by­‐case consideration based on the sustainability, locality and production of each product. 

Any accepted vendor must receive approval from the Market Manager before adding additional products.

1. Products Requirements:

Agricultural goods: The BWFM gives top priority to raw or processed farm products that were grown or raised by the vendor. Examples include vegetables, fruits, meats, eggs, dairy products, nuts, honey, mushrooms and herbs.      

Self-processed, value-added goods: The BWFM also prioritizes value-added products that were locally-grown or locally-raised by the applicant or by another vendor. For food items, top priority will be given to those who consistently use significant amounts of local ingredients. Examples include canning, baking, cooking, curing and/or drying. For non-food items, priority will be given to those items derived from farm products grown by the applicant or by another vendor. Examples include wool, milk soaps, herbal products or beeswax products. If you need assistance sourcing locally­‐grown or locally-raised ingredients, please let us know and we will be happy to connect you! 

Non-agricultural crafts: While vendors of crafts and non‐food items are welcome to apply, please note that there is only space for a maximum of ONE non-agricultural craft vendor per market. All non-agricultural craft products must be handmade by the applicant and related to food in some capacity. Examples include ceramic bowls, wooden cutting boards or handmade garden tools. 

Non-profits and food-related businesses: Other non-profits and food-related businesses will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the Market Manager to learn more.

1. Health Department and Sanitation Requirements: 

Forms and Licenses: Vendors are responsible for completing and obtaining the necessary forms, licenses, permits, certificates and/or inspections from the Gallatin City-County Health Department or from the State of Montana. All vendors are required to provide the Market Manager a copy of these completed forms and to have these forms present at their market stand each week. Please know that these forms can take many weeks to process, so plan accordingly. Accepted vendors will not be able to participate without the appropriate forms.

a. Raw, whole agricultural foods such as fresh fruits and fresh veggies do not need a license or permit to sell at the farmers’ market as long as these fruits and veggies have NOT been cooked, canned, combined, cut, blanched, etc.

b. Some processed foods -- such as syrup, dried herbs, certain baked goods that aren’t subject to spoilage, nuts and nut mixes, etc. -- can be sold at the farmers’ market without a state license but they do require a “Farmers’ Market Application” through the Gallatin City-County Health Department.  Returning vendors, please note the new label requirements for these items. Visit healthygallatin.org for a complete list of foods that require this application. If a vendor already has a cottage food license, they do not need to fill out this local “Farmers’ Market Application.”

c. Some processed foods -- such as pickles, sauerkraut, vinegars, herb oils, salsa, pesto, freezer jams, poultry, meat, dairy products, etc.  -- do require a state license. Vendors are required to obtain the necessary license(s) and to acquaint themselves with all the relevant health codes.

d. Egg vendors are required to abide by all state, local and market guidelines. While the sale of farm eggs does not require a state license, the eggs must be clean, free of crack, and stored in clean cartons at ≤ 45°F. Cartons must be labeled with the producer’s name, address and phone number. 

e. Local law prevents the sale of any food products with CBD oil at farmers’ markets. CBD oil is not allowed in food or dietary supplements by Montana law regardless of the Cannabis source.