The Ames Farmers' Market Mission Statement is:
“To organize and conduct activities of members of this association which are designed to expand the direct marketing concept of agricultural products, baked goods and crafts by local producers.” The open-air market has operated in Ames since 1973. Markets are held each Saturday & Thursdays, May 2 through October 31.
1. Sale times will be every Saturday 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p m & Thursdays 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Vendors may set up 1 hour prior to sale times; however, sales transactions cannot take place before the stated times (i.e., 8:00 a.m. on Saturday & 2 p.m. on Thursday). Times will be strictly enforced and subjected to a warning on the first offense, $10.00 fine for the second offense and immediate termination of membership for the third offense. (With the third offense, the vendor immediately forfeits all membership privileges and moneys paid to the association.) There shall be no exchange of money prior to stated times.
2. All products sold at the Ames Farmers’ Market must be grown or made by the vendor or a member of his/her immediate family (including parents, siblings, spouses, and children). It should be produced in Story County or in one of the adjoining counties. Questionable items will be subject to field verification. No brokering of products will be permitted.
3. The following four groups can be sold at the Market without the individual vendor being required to be licensed as a “Food Establishment”:
A. Raw fruits and vegetables: C. Non-hazardous baked goods;
B. Honey; D. Whole fresh eggs.
If an individual vendor wants to sell any food product, other than those listed above, they must secure a Food Establishment license and furnish a copy to the Executive Committee. Refer to the Code of Iowa for specific information.
4. Unless the individual vendor procures a state license, food stalls vending individual portions for consumption on the premises are not allowed. Sampling of vendors products is allowed. Products sold by weight must be sold on scales certified by the Iowa Department of Agriculture. Vendors are responsible for the necessary sales tax on their goods when applicable.
5. All food items must be displayed or stored off the ground. This includes products in boxes or baskets, which may be needed later to replenish inventory currently for sale. Vendors utilizing stall space are responsible for cleaning their area before leaving the market for the day. This should also be done periodically throughout the market to avoid congestion and maintain an appearance suitable to the market. The Market Master shall assess a fine of $5.00 each time a vendor fails to clean his/her stall. These fines are deposited in the Market’s account. This shall be paid before the vendor is allowed to sell again.
6. The Ames Farmers’ Market Association contracts one key person for the purpose of facilitating the Market on sales days. This key person who we call the Market Master is in charge of the day-to-day decisions. Vendors are expected to honor the Market Master’s decisions. Vendors will treat the Market Master with respect. Foul or offensive language will not be tolerated. The Market Master reports to the Executive Committee.
7. Grievances should be directed to the Executive Committee in writing, which in turn will be responsible for the resolving the dispute. All grievances must state the nature of the violation, date of the violation, and be signed. If the Executive Committee receives a written, signed complaint it will investigate and do an on site inspection. If it is determined the products did not come from the vendor’s farm or acreage a written warning will be given to the vendor for the first offense. If a second written complaint is received and it is determined the vendor did not produce his products the membership will be cancelled and the vendor will not be allowed to vend for the remainder of the year the membership fee will not be refunded.
8. Hubbell Realty graciously allows the Ames Farmers’ Market to vend without charge. Advertising costs, general liability insurance (individual vendors are not covered with product liability), the Market Master’s fee, and other miscellaneous expenses are substantial and are not free or donated. Therefore, vendors utilizing stall spaces will be charged at the rates below. Stall rental fees are paid to the Ames Farmers’ Market via the Market Master before the vendor may conduct sales transactions. Membership must be paid in advance to the Treasurer by May.1.
To sell at the Ames Farmers’ Market each vendor shall become a member of the Association by paying annual dues. Being a member allows the vendor to be notified and participate at any meetings the Association may have in addition to selling at the market site. By becoming a member the vendor agrees to abide by all rules of the Association.
The fee schedule for the 2008 season is as follows:
The 2008 annual market membership is $35.00 plus a stall fee $10.00 per day for each Thursday and $10.00 per day for each Saturday that a vendor participates in the market. Additional stall spaces are $10.00 for each market day. A stall is considered to be 10’ X 10’.
OR
The 2008 annual market membership is $35.00, plus stall fees of $350.00, allowing the vendor to vend every Saturday & Thursday that the market operates from May 3 through October 30 (51 total market days). Additional stall spaces are $10 and should be arranged for in advance. This fee is payable $175 May 1, and balance by July 1, 2008. No refunds will be granted on either membership or annual fees if not fully utilized by a member.
9. Reserving stall spaces – Factors affecting stall assignment will include seniority (primary) and previous year vendors (secondary). This option applies only to full season vendors. The Market Master will assign uncommitted stall spaces on a daily basis so as to maintain a cohesive market environment. If you wish to attend a market in which you have not reserved a stall, you will need to contact the Market Master prior to setting up for the day in question. NOTE: In the event that a reserved stall is not occupied by the person who reserved it 15 minutes after opening sales time on a given day, the Market Master may place another vendor in that stall for that day. The purpose of this is to give the market a more complete appearance. This DOES NOT mean that the vendor who reserved it initially loses that spot on further dates, which have been reserved, only that day of tardiness or absence. Please notify the Market Master in advance if you do not plan to market on a given day.
10. All fee payments for youth (age 14 and under) will be waived on the last Saturday of each month. However, all rules approved by the Ames Farmers’ Market must still be abided by. This waiver is extended to encourage youth to participate in all aspects of producing a marketable product and is not intended as a facility to resell products which were substantially produced by someone else. This provision is subject to space availability and size limitations may be imposed.
11. The Ames Farmers’ Market does not allow franchises or commercial ventures to operate at the market. Commercial ventures are those businesses that maintain a permanent year round point of sale. The original concept of the market was to provide a place in which small private individual producers could enter the market place.
12. All vendors participating in the Ames Farmers’ Market shall have on record an application provided to the market by the individual. A 60-day probationary period will ensue before the individual is accepted or denied as a member. During this probationary period, all rules of the Ames Farmers’ Market are to be observed; if denied membership status, the membership fee shall be returned to the individual. Acceptance/Denial is at the discretion of the Executive Committee. Written exceptions, if any, are to be on file with the original application.
13. The Executive Committee reserves the right to limit vendor participation. Vendors are expected to promote and support the market. All prospective first-time vendors must submit their applications to the Secretary-Treasurer one week prior to the proposed first vending date.
14. Exceptions to the above rules may be made by a majority vote of the Executive Committee when the exception is applied for in writing. The Executive Committee reserves the right to accept or deny any request. Such exceptions should be known by members of the Ames Farmers’ Market.
15. Payment of membership fee and/or stall fees as well as signing of the application constitutes agreement by the vendor to abide by all rules set forth by the Ames Farmers’ Market Association.