Become a

Market Vendor

Application for new St. John's Farmers' Market vendors for the 2024 season are CLOSED as of March 1, 2024.

Farmers and primary producers we accept year round, so get in touch with the Market Manager directly any time to get the process started.

Food vendors and craft artisans we are not able to accept outside of this timeframe. Applications are now closed for the year again until 2025. Please check back in early 2025 for updates.

The following information is a general summary of the most relevant points that all applicants need to know before they submit their vendor application. We strongly suggest that applicants read our recently updated Vendor Handbook 2023 for a better understanding of the selection criteria and general operations before applying.

All applicants will be contacted by the Market Manager no longer than 2 weeks after we receive their application. We will provide initial feedback and further steps of the process for each category of products. Applications are not approved or accepted on a first come, first served, basis.

2023 Vendor Handbook

Rental Space for conferences and special events?

CLICK HERE

If you want to run educational, recreational or promotional activities for small or big groups we have a separate process. We are offering rental space for workshops/conferences and also for special events that might involve half or the whole facility. Please contact us for more information. No need to apply as a vendor.

2023 Vendor Fees

Indoor Booths

Indoor Vendor Fees are based on square footage used. As reference, a booth of 7’x4’ = 28 sq ft. A booth of 6’x8’ = 48 sq ft. Booth rental includes one table and two chairs if required.

 
 
by area
28 sq.ft space
48 sq.ft space
80 sq.ft space
table included
other notes
Indoor Booth
Farmer
$1.43/sq.ft + HST
$40.04 + HST
$68.64 + HST
n/a
One table included
n/a
Indoor Booth
Vendor
$1.70/sq.ft + HST
$47.74 + HST
$81.84 + HST
n/a
One table included
n/a
Indoor Booth
Prepared Food / Heavy Equipment
$1.70/sq.ft + HST
n/a
n/a
$136.40 + HST
One table included
Booths are usually 8’x10’
Indoor Booth
Non-Profit
No charge
No charge
n/a
n/a
One table included
Free (one per Saturday)

Outdoor Booths

 
 
price
table included
Outdoor Booth
Farmer
$35 + HST
One table included
Outdoor Booth
Vendor
$50 + HST
One table included
Outdoor Booth
Non-Profit
No charge
One table included

Other Vendor Fees

Utility Fee (electricity)
$10 per market date

Storage Room Fee
$3.75 + HST per SQ.FT per month

Available Vendor Discounts

Senior Discount (65+)
$5 from vendor fee (year round)

Vendor Guidelines

All products must be either handmade, produced or grown in the province. You must “Make it, Bake it, Grow it” to sell it.

All vendors are required to follow the policies within the Vendor Handbook 2023, as adopted by the membership of the St. John’s Farmers’ Market (if requested the Market Manager can provide applicants/vendors with a paper copy of the handbook). Special attention should be paid to policies relating to safety, food safety, and the appropriateness of items and goods for sale.

The Market Manager and the Board of the St. John’s Farmers’ Market reserve the right to refuse vendor participation for failure to comply with the policies within the Vendor Handbook.

The Market does its best to ensure that as many vendors as possible have the opportunity to participate, but due to the sheer volume of applicants, requesting to attend a specific market does not guarantee a spot at that market. Vendors who are selected to attend a specific market will receive an email confirmation at least 4 weeks prior to that date. Vendors must respond to the request as soon as possible, and no less than 72 hours prior to your booking (either accepting or
declining the invitation). Any cancellation after the 72 hour period will be charged according to the policy.

2023 Vendor Handbook
NL Public Market Guidelines
Seasonal Food License Application

Product Selection Process and Specific Licenses / Forms

Please follow the instructions according to your type of products.

All Food Vendors:

 

Vendors who sell food products at any Farmers’ Market in NL are required by the province to hold a Seasonal Food Establishment License [License Application Form] and complete an approved food safety course. This food license is specific for this market. If you already hold a license for your facility, it will not be applicable. Every food vendor must have our specific food license approved by Service NL and it must be displayed at the market.

If you need a licensed kitchen to prepare your product please check with the Market Manager about the availability of our licensed kitchen for potential rental.

Please read the Public Market Guidelines before you start the food licensing process. These guidelines are applied to any public market in Newfoundland and Labrador.

In order to process your food license with us, please complete the following steps:

  • Fill out the Vendor Application on our website. A confirmation email will be sent to you automatically after this application is received in our system.
  • The Market Manager will email you the required forms once we receive and review your vendor application. You will receive the forms no longer than 2 weeks from the day we received your original application. If your product does not fit with our selection criteria and demand the Market
    Manager will let you know. You may revise your application and resubmit or withdraw your application.
  • If your product and vendor proposal fit with our selection criteria and market demand, then the Market Manager will send a Conditional Approval Letter. This letter confirms our interest regarding your participation as a vendor at the market. This document is an essential part of your food license application.
  • Please send all forms and the conditional approval letter to our food inspector ehaa@gov.nl.ca.
  • Service NL processes your food license. You are free to check directly with them on the status of your application. This process might take several weeks depending on the volume of food license applications. You will get a confirmation from Service NL if your food license has been approved.
  • Once Service NL approves your food license the Market Manager will contact you to schedule the food inspection on your first market date.
  • After you have successfully passed the food inspection on site, Service NL will mail you the final food license for mandatory display at your booth at the market.
  • Any additions to your food products menu that is very different from original products will have to be checked with the Market Manager and Service NL.

Quality Standards

Food Jury Selection Process for ALL food vendors

In order to maintain high quality food standards at the St. John’s Farmers’ Market, vendors are adjudicated by staff. All food products sold at the market will be adjudicated on site by at least two members of staff. After the adjudication staff will provide feedback to the vendors regarding the quality of the food and how to improve it if necessary. If you received observations from your adjudication, a vendor is allowed one more market date to bring the products up to the expected quality standard. If more time is necessary to reach the expected quality, you may remove those products from your menu until you can make the proper adjustments.

All food vendors will be juried at least once per season and new vendors at least twice during their first season at the St. John’s Farmers’ Market. If your  products still fall below quality standards and you don’t follow the recommendations from your adjudication, you will be removed from the market.

For more information regarding the quality standards please contact the Market Manager.

Crafts/Specialty Items/Non-Food Products

In order to maintain high-quality craft standards at the St. John’s Farmers’ Market, vendors are adjudicated by staff. Vendors who sell non-food items (i.e. art, craft, jewelry, clothing, etc.) are required to be adjudicated before they may sell at the market. If you are adding a new product that is completely different from the original application, then you will need to submit a new application.

In order to process your application with us, please complete the following steps:

  • Fill out the Vendor Application on our website. A confirmation email will be sent to you automatically after this application is received in our system.
  • The Market Manager will email you the Artisan Craft Application Form once we receive and review your vendor application. You will receive this form no longer than 2 weeks from the day we received your original application. If the products do not fit with our selection criteria and market demand, the Market Manager will let you know. You may revise you application and resubmit or withdraw your application.
  • Fill out the Artisan Craft Application Form and return to the Manager.
  • If your items meet the requirements detailed on the Artisan Craft Application Form, you will be contacted to schedule your first market date.
  • During your first market you will be adjudicated by at least two members of the St. John’s Farmers’ Market staff or board. Feedback will be provided for any products not meeting quality standards. You will be given a time-frame in which any adjustments or improvements must be made.
  • After your successful market day adjudication, the Market Manager will contact you with information about how to request booking dates for future markets.
  • Potential extra inspections on site may occur during the season if the market manager or jury members notice a decrease in the quality of products.

Community Groups, Organizations and Non-Profits

Book the free Community Table Space

Every week at the SJFM, we will be reserving one high-visibility inside table at our Saturday Markets for community groups, non-profits, school teams, and any other community minded organizations. This table will be free of charge!
Our aim is to create lots of exposure and provide space for all the groups doing awesome things in our community.
Interested? Find out more and request dates here: https://sjfm.ca/community-table/

Market hours activities

Busking/Performers/Workshops etc.

Individuals interested in running workshops during market hours, performing, and/or advertising through the St. John’s Farmers’ Market should contact the Events & Activities Manager with specific inquiries.

A separate booking system is used for these activities.

Start the Process

Vendor applications for the Saturday Farmers’ Market are closed for 2024.

Please check back in early 2025 for updates when applications re-open for 2025 intake of new vendors.

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