Rules & Regulations for Farms & Vendors

St. Matthews Farmers Market At Beargrass Christian Church

St. Matthews Farmers Market Beargrass Christian Church Vendor Regulations and Rules 2024

Read these rules and regulations carefully before signing.  Keep a copy for your records – these rules are a part of your agreement with St. Matthews Farmers Market at Beargrass Christian Church (hereinafter “the Market”). Please return a signed copy with your application.   Failure to observe these rules and regulations may result in suspension or termination of your Market participation.  If you have questions, contact the Market Committee Chair.

Market Location and Time

Beargrass Christian Church, 4100 Shelbyville Road, Louisville, KY 40207 Day/Time:  Saturdays; 8:00 am -12:00 noon

2024 Season:  May 11 – September 28

Vendor Fees and Membership

Annual Market Membership Fee = $100 (producer vendors, food service vendors and alternates). All vendors must be paid members of the Market. Fee is due with application.

Producer Reserved Space Fee = $225 for the season. The fee guarantees vendors a specific reserved space for all market Saturdays during the 2024 season.  

Food Service Reserved Space Fee = $225 for the season. Guaranties food service vendors a specific reserved space for all market Saturdays.  Use of Electric and water is included.  Fee is due with application.

Alternate Fee = $60 for the season.  Alternates will be called to fill reserved spaces based on a rotating schedule.  Fee is due with application.

Guest vendors  (Vendors  who  are  not  paid  producer,  food  service  or alternate vendors) who are allowed to participate in the Market, there will be a $25 guest fee per occurrence.  Once a guest vendor has participated at the Market for 6 occurrences, the guest vendor will not be charged for the remainder of the Market season and will be granted Market member Guest vendors will be allowed space only if there is space available for the requested Market Saturday.  Guest vendors will not be given an allocated alternate slot in the rotating schedule unless a current alternate drops out of the rotation.

All Fees are non-refundable.

Table 1:  St. Matthews Vendor fee Schedule

The Market will be governed by the Market Committee.

Eight (8) member Market Committee consisting of Beargrass Christian Church members and outside members, plus the appointed Market Manager.

The Market Committee will seek to maintain product selection with appropriate numbers of vendors in the following categories.

1. Fruits/Vegetables
2. Eggs/Meats/Cheeses/Mushrooms
3. Plants/Cut Flowers
4. Baked goods, jams, jellies
5. Honey, herbs, sorghum, soaps, candles, other
6. One vending space will be reserved and maintained for the use of Beargrass Christian Church and its members.

Day to day management of the Market will be the responsibility of the Market Manager.

Grievance Procedures:

The Market Committee will be responsible for enforcement of the rules.

Any formal complaints or grievances should be submitted in writing to the Market Manager or to a member of the Market Committee.

Any  Vendor  deemed  not  in  compliance  with  the  regulations  of  the Market will receive the following from the Market Committee:

1)         First Offense = a warning for non-compliance

2)         Second  Offense  =  a  request  to  vacate  the  premises  for  a designated time period.

3)         Third Offense = banning from selling at the market for either one year or indefinitely.  Reinstatement will be by application only.

The Market Committee will review each  ‘first-year’  Permanent  Member immediately following the close of the market season, and may elect to rescind Permanent membership status for any reason.

Decisions of the Market Committee are final in all matters involving the operation of the Market.

Product and Sales Regulations

1. Participation in  the  Market  requires  the  submission  of  an  application  and selection by the Market Committee.
2. All products and produce sold by vendors must be locally produced or grown by the individuals, families, groups or farms. Locally grown or produced is defined as Kentucky or Southern Indiana (Bloomington and south).  Products made from locally grown produce and animals are allowed such as baked goods, cheese, jams, jellies, soaps, oils, condiments etc.
3. In addition to agricultural, horticultural, and food items, non-edible products may be sold at the Market such as: dried flowers, dried flower arrangements, vine wreaths, gourds, body care products and beeswax candles. All materials must be found, grown, foraged and/or produced by the vendor on local farm or land.
4. Consignment selling is permitted whereby a vendor (grower  or  producer) consigns his product/produce to be sold by another vendor, provided produce/products are grown/processed locally, as defined above.   Any produce sold at the market that is not grown by the vendor must be designated on the vendor  application  in  the  consignment  selling  section  and  approved  by  the market.   No items from the Louisville Produce Terminal, produce auctions, or any other wholesale outlets, are allowed.
5. Only those items listed on the vendor’s confirmation letter may be sold. Vendors must notify the Market in writing of any proposed changes before bringing previously unlisted items to the Market.
6. The Market Manager has the discretion to make allowances or exceptions for the sale of items not listed on a Vendor’s confirmation letter, and/or the sale of non- resident products  (items  not  made  or  grown  locally)  based  on  the  potential benefit that doing so would add to the overall appeal and attractiveness of the Market.   Exceptions may include food and drink items sold by prepared food vendors.
7. Vendors are responsible for conforming their products or produce to applicable USDA standards and guidelines.
8. The Market reserves the right to inspect or spot-visit any farm or establishment that is the source of any items sold or distributed at the Market, with advance notice if possible, as necessary throughout the season. The market will conduct farm visits to ensure compliance with the market rules & regulations.
9. Produce offered for sale must be grown, harvested and cared for post-harvest to assure customers  receive  fresh,  high-quality  fruits and  vegetables.  Culls and produce with only a limited shelf life remaining, which may be useful for processing (i.e. sauces), must be labeled as such. The Market Manager may remove poor quality produce.
10. All produce or products labeled organic must be third party certified according to USDA standards by a recognized organic certifying agency. Certification letters must be available for inspection at your stand. Verbal or written declarations of organic status that are not documented as required will result in suspension from the Market.
11. Vendors selling  processed  food  must  be  certified  through  the  Kentucky Department of Public Health as either a Home-based processor or Home-based microprocessor (Kentucky HB 391), and hold a valid temporary farmers market food service permit. A copy of these permits must be provided to the Market Manager and displayed by the vendor at the Market.
12. Vendors will determine their own pricing.  However, vendors are expected to refrain from engaging in the systematic or deliberate underselling of other vendor
13. No live animals will be sold at the Market.
14. Wine and beer can  be  sold  by  licensed  vineyards  and breweries at  the  market  but  no  tastings  or consumption of purchased bottled wine or beer is permitted on the property.  No other alcoholic beverages or drugs can be sold or used at the market.
15. Smoking is not allowed at the Market.
16. The Market will hold an annual Spring Market Kick-off meeting at the beginning of the season. Vendors are required to attend this meeting and turn in the signed Release & Indemnification Form, Vendor Application, copies of required insurance forms, and applicable fees based on the fee schedule as spelled out in section 2.
17. Rules and Regulations may be amended or revised from time to time by the Market Committee.

Rules of Operation

1. The Market will open for business at 8 a.m. on designated Market days.
2. Vendors should be set up and ready to sell when the market opens.
3. The market will close at 12 noon.
4. Vendors are expected to maintain their booth from 8 a.m. to 12 Noon.
5. Vendors must have their vehicles out of the market by 7:45 a.m. and cannot reenter the market for breaking down until 12 Noon.
6. Market prices for all items must be visibly posted.
7. Vendors will operate their stands in a safe and sanitary manner, arrange their tables to create an attractive display, keep their sales areas clear of debris, and keep edible products off the ground.
8. Vendors must be honest and courteous at all times. Disagreements with other vendors, the Market Manager, Market Committee, or customers must be handled in a respectful manner.
9. Vendors, not the Market, are individually responsible for conforming to all city, state and federal laws including the securing of any licenses or certifications required for the operation of their Market space and for the items they sell or distribute at the Market. Vendors will comply with and satisfy their sales tax obligations.
10. All scales  used  must  be  for  legal  trade,  made  for  commercial  use,  and  be inspected  and  sealed  annually  by  the  KDA  Division  of  Regulation  and Inspection.
11. Vendors will clean their sales area and take home all refuse at the end of each market day.
12. Vendors  selling  readily  consumable  items  (all  prepared  food vendors) must provide an approved waste receptacle for used wrappers, napkins, cups, etc.
13. Vendors who cannot attend the Market on any particular market day are expected to notify the Market Manager by 5pm on the Wednesday before the business Saturday.  Absences without notice may result in space reassignment or termination from the Market.  Vendors are expected to attend 90% of the market dates.   Vendors requiring extended absence from the market must make arrangement with the market manager.
14. Reserved spaces will be assigned at the beginning of the season giving preference to vendor  attendance  and  application  order  from  the  prior  seasons.    Those vendors with 90% + attendance have first option to retain their assigned space from the prior year.  A designated area will be marked for food service vendors requiring electricity.
15. Due to limited space in the Market area, all vendor vehicles (including trailers) must be parked in off-site lots determined by the Market Committee. Vendors are expected to park in the spaces provided around Harvey Brown Church.  The Market Manager may make exceptions, rarely and selectively, at his/her discretion.

Release and Indemnification

As  a   condition   of   participating   in   the   Market,   vendors   recognize   and acknowledge that they are ultimately responsible for their wares and conduct and agree to release, hold harmless, defend and indemnify the Market, the Market Manager, the Market Committee Members acting in that role, and Beargrass Christian  Church (Disciples  of  Christ) Corporation, also  referred to in these Rules and Regulations as Beargrass Christian Church, and its officers, directors, members, employees, and agents [collectively referred to as “the Protected Parties”] from and against all liability, claims, demands, losses, damages, costs, expenses (including attorney’s fees), fines, judgments, and penalties arising from:

i. Any failure of the vendor to abide by these Rules and Regulations;

ii. Any consumption or use of items that the vendor sells or distributes at the Market;

iii. Any  presence,  use,  or  misuse  of  an  appliance,  piece  of  equipment, vehicle or other item under the vendor’s ownership, possession or control while at the Market;

iv. Any action, inaction or other conduct by the vendor associated with the vendor’s participation in the Market;

v. Any lack of care, expertise or experience on the part of the vendor associated with the vendor’s participation in the Market;

vi. Any injury or loss the vendor may sustain in any way associated with the Market or conditions at the Market premises; and

vii.  Any failure by the vendor to exercise supervision and control over its employees, helpers, agents, or representatives in any way associated with the vendor’s participation in the Market.

If any of the foregoing provisions should at any time be held unlawful, void, or for any reason unenforceable, that provision shall be deemed severable and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining provisions.