2024 Guidelines and Procedures

OUR MISSION

  • Foster a vibrant market supporting local growers, food producers, makers and artisans;

  • Ensure our community has access from a central location to a wide array of high quality, locally grown and produced food; and

  • Enhance community quality of life by providing health and wellness activities and a social gathering place.

WHEN AND WHERE

The Pontotoc Farmers Market (“Market”) is held every Saturday, from 7am to 11am or sellout from May through October and a mid-week market from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm during June through August.  The Market is located at 25 West Jefferson, Pontotoc, MS 38863.  Vendors should be ready to start selling when the Market opens.  Vendors may sell at the venue outside of market hours with the permission of the Market Manager. 

BECOMING A VENDOR

All vendors must fill out and sign an application yearly.  By signing the application, the vendor certifies that the vendor’s main operator/seller has read, understood and agreed to adhere to all applicable guidelines and procedures.  At this time, there is no fee to register as a vendor and no fee to sell at the Market.  Vendors will be accepted in accordance with these guidelines.  Applications may be submitted online through pontotocfarmersmarket.com or emailed to [email protected].  Apply in person or mail copy to:

Pontotoc Farmers’ Market

c/o Pontotoc Chamber of Commerce

109 North Main Street

Pontotoc, MS 38863

For questions, please call or text the Market Manager at 662-760-6703 or send email to [email protected].

VENDOR GUIDELINES

  1. Original Producer:  All items sold must be grown or produced within approximately forty (40) miles of the venue and vendors must be the original grower or producer or be engaged in a direct cooperative arrangement approved by the Market Manager.  If a cooperative agreement is approved, the Market Manager has authority to require the vendor label products according to origin.  Priority will be given to those vendors who grow, raise or harvest local products that they sell or that are featured in the items they sell.  Vendors may only sell the items they have been approved to sell.
  2. Conduct: Vendors must be honest and are required to conduct themselves in a manner that contributes to a positive shopping experience for Market customers and should avoid unsuitable language, crude jokes and other inappropriate behavior.  Vendors are required to remain kind and courteous to all fellow vendors.  Market management will strive to create an atmosphere where seasoned farmers and producers can mentor new growers.
  3. No Discrimination:  No vendor may discriminate on the basis of race, creed, religion, age, color, disability, sex or national origin in selling or conducting activities at the market.
  4. Pricing:  Vendors set their own prices for their products; however, radical price cutting of top-quality ag products is prohibited.  All scales used are subject to inspection.  Poor quality or overripe produce can be sold for a discounted price and should be labeled as such.  Exchanges of product and/or refunds are at the vendor’s discretion. 
  5. Sales Tax:  See Miss. Code § 27-65-103(f).  Exemptions; Agricultural.
    • Vendors selling homegrown Mississippi produce (grown by the vendor), Mississippi home processed foods (made by the vendor), from a MDAC certified market, are exempt from the collection of sales tax.
    • Home processed food vendors that are an extension of an established retail food outlet are not exempt from remitting sales tax.
    • Vendors selling agricultural food products that were not produced in Mississippi, landscape plants, home processed food products not made in Mississippi, and/or arts and crafts must remit sales tax to the Mississippi State Tax Commission.  OUR MARKET DOES NOT COLLECT OR REMIT SALES TAX.
  6. Stall Space: Market Manager assigns stalls and tent space weekly.  Effort will be made to keep vendor space assignment consistent.  Please be courteous and cooperate with other vendors if space sharing is needed.  Vendors are encouraged to post a business sign or farm name in their display area.  A vendor space is considered to be the approximate width of a vehicle.
  7. Electricity:  Vendors must inform the Market Manager of their electrical needs and receive prior approval before using any existing electrical outlets at the Market.  If extension cords are used, they must be designed for outdoor use, be three-prong, safely secured at all times and out of the way of foot traffic.
  8. Supplies:  Each farm/business will be responsible for bringing needed supplies such as: tables, tablecloths, chairs, scales, signage, price lists, marketing materials, food sampling supplies and change.
  9. Permits and Licenses: All vendors and fundraisers selling at the Market must abide by all applicable federal, state, and local health regulations.  All required permits and licenses must be kept current for the entire market season.
  10. Advertising and Labeling:  Vendors must advertise truthfully and to respond to customer’s questions in a like manner.  Certification is required to use the labels “Certified Organic” and “Certified Naturally Grown.”
  11. Clean Up: Each vendor is responsible for maintaining their area in a clean and sanitary manner with attention to public safety.  Before departure, each vendor must clean all trash and unsold product, sweep any debris, and take down and store market tent, if using.
  12. Order of Priority for Accepting Vendor Applications: The market’s goal is to retain an approximate ratio of 40% produce growers; 20% ag producers, 20% cottage food makers and 20% artisans, makers and crafters.  Priority is given to growers who bring product to market that is 100% grown and harvested on farmland they own/lease and operate.  Priority will also be given to Pontotoc residents and those using locally sourced ingredients in prepared or artisan foods.  Artisans and makers are selected based on whether the product is useful in the home, farm or garden, the originality and quality of the product and the need to avoid duplication.  Vendor selection and retention is the role of the Market Manager following these guidelines.
  13. Liability: The Market recommends that vendors carry liability insurance, however it is not required.  Any vendor who does not carry liability insurance will be required to indemnify and hold harmless the City of Pontotoc, the Pontotoc County Chamber of Commerce/Main Street Association and the Pontotoc Farmers Market in the event of a legal action brought against the vendor.
  14. Youth Market: For vendors 18 years of age and younger participating in our Youth Market, market management will supply canopies (if needed) along with tables, tablecloths, produce bins, chairs (if needed) and a method of advertising prices.  Market management will work to assign a mentor to assist youth vendors on market day.  Youth will be responsible for their products and change.  Signage, additional price labels, additional displays and samples are optional for youth.

MARKET MANAGEMENT

Steering Committee:  The Market is hosted by the Pontotoc Chamber of Commerce (“Chamber”) under the direction of the City of Pontotoc.  The Market Steering Committee guides decision-making for the Market.  The Steering Committee is chaired by the Market Manager along with appointed co-chairs representing the vendors.  All vendors are eligible to participate in the Steering Committee as members.  The Steering Committee will set policies, determine rules and regulations for the Market, define job descriptions and, where applicable, establish rate of pay for staff and hired staff positions.  Preferably, a diverse group of vendors shall represent the Market.  If required in the future, the Committee may establish a voting protocol to elect members to the Steering Committee.  Other members of the Committee are: Chamber of Commerce Representative appointed by the Steering Committee, MSU Extension Agent, Market staff, prior Market Manager(s).

Market Manager:  The Market Manager will serve as the Steering Committee’s representative at Market as well as fulfilling the following duties and responsibilities.

  • Oversee day-to-day operations of Market
  • Admit vendors and assign spaces
  • Arrive 1 hour prior to Market and stay to end
  • Arrange for special events and entertainment at the Market
  • Participate in farm visits as needed
  • Appoint staff as needed and as budget permits
  • Maintain log(s) and books of Market activity
  • Address comments/complaints from vendors and customers
  • Submit press releases and Market calendar events to local media
  • Coordinate advertising and publicity for the Market, including social media
  • Promote and oversee nutrition incentive programs at Market
  • Oversee administration of Market and awarded grants

AMENDMENT OF GUIDELINES

These Guidelines and Procedures may be amended by a two–thirds vote of the vendors present at any given meeting where the proposed change has been listed as an agenda item for said meeting.  Any member unable to be present at said meeting may submit to the Market Manager in writing, his or her comments, at least one week prior to the meeting.  Notice of specific language of proposed amendments to these Guidelines and Procedures must be provided in writing to the Market Manager at least 14 days prior to the meeting.

If you agree with our Vendor Guidelines, let’s get started!  Click below to apply online.  Rather fill out in person?  Visit the Pontotoc County Chamber Main Street, 109 North Main Street, Pontotoc MS.

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