Becoming a Market Participant
BOULDER FARMERS' MARKET Community Group contract
Download - Commmunity Group Contract - PDF
Background
While the mission of the Boulder County Farmers Market (BCFM) is to support local agriculture, the BCFM allows tabling for nonprofit community groups during the Market hours as a service to our community. Due to space constraints, participation is limited to nonprofits whose primary focus is on Boulder County. Groups that take advantage of this will benefit from a very special outreach opportunity. The Market attracts the unique Boulder demographics of health-conscious people who welcome information from many sources, as well as a large influx of tourist traffic, lending national exposure to community groups. In recent years, the costs of operating the Market have risen dramatically. In an effort to continue providing this service to the community without compromising the Market’s mission, the Board has adopted the “community group policies” listed below:
1) Community Group Participation Limit
The maximum number of community groups that shall table at any Market is six.
2) Terms and Attendance
The cost for tabling at any Saturday Market is $25 and the cost for tabling at any Wednesday Market is $10. If an organization finds it difficult to pay these fees, a letter with the reason for an exemption of fees can be mailed or faxed for our consideration. Payment arrangements must be made with the Market manager at
303-910-2236 or bfm-manager@boulderfarmers.org at least two weeks prior to Market attendance. Payment is nonrefundable; however, if a cancellation proves necessary, payment may be applied to another date, if we are informed at least one week in advance of the scheduled date.
If a group scheduled with a discounted fee does not attend, that group loses any space reserved for them at subsequent Markets.
The Market is never closed due to inclement weather or holidays.
3) Tabling Privileges
The BCFM Market manager, executive director, and board of directors have the right to refuse tabling privileges to any organization for any reason.
4) Scheduling
Groups must schedule their attendance at Markets and make payment arrangements two weeks in advance of the Market day with the Market manager at 303-910-2236 or bfm-manager@boulderfarmers.org.
A signed “community group contract” is required prior to participation. Space reservation is not considered final until the signed contract and fees are received.
Groups that arrive on Market day, not having been previously scheduled, will be advised of the policy and denied attendance that day. All approved groups will be given equal opportunity, but available slots will be filled on a “first-come, first-serve” basis. A waiting list will be kept to fill slots that become available due to cancellations.
5) Space Assignment & Tabling Supplies
Community groups are assigned a four foot space. The Market manager will be responsible for the assignment of available spaces on the morning of each Market, and this on-location decision is final for that date. Groups are expected to supply their own four foot (card) table and chair/s, as well as any other materials needed to maximize outreach. An umbrella is suggested for shade, as well as for rain/snow protection.
6) Conduct & Acceptable Activities
No sales of any kind are permitted. In some cases, solicitation for subscriptions or membership in an organization may be allowed with prior authorization from the Market manager.
Groups are expected to have someone at their tables at all times. No hawking (calling out) is allowed. It is not acceptable to stand in front of your space to engage customers. We encourage all attendees to read the “BCFM rules and regulations,” which are available at the Market’s “information tent” or posted on our web site. These rules include no vendor pets at the Market and no electronic music/sound recordings unless approved by the Market manager.
7) Arrival Time
Arrival and setup time is from 8:00 am to 8:30 am on Saturdays and from 4:00 pm to 4:30 pm on Wednesdays. We do not place community groups into a space until our vendors have set up in their spaces. Check in at the Market’s “information tent” upon arrival. Failure to arrive or to check in on time may result in another “waitlisted” group receiving the scheduled group’s space and with the scheduled group losing their fee and/or future privileges.
8) Parking Information
In an effort to provide the maximum amount of close parking for our customers, community groups along with all vendors and employees cannot park in the lots off 14th Street. Free Saturday parking is available at the RTD parking structure at 14th and Canyon. Free Wednesday parking is available at the high school. If you park in the lots behind the Market, you may lose future opportunities to table at the Market. You are required to inform all of your volunteers and tabling staff of this policy.