Greater New Port Richey Main Street’s
FRESH FRIDAY NIGHTS DOWNTOWN FARMERS MARKET
** ATTENTION RULES HAVE BEEN REVISED. PLEASE RE-READ ALL OF APPLICATION AND RULES**
Date(s): Every First Friday in November and December. Beginning January 4th every Friday through April 26, 2013
2012 Dates – 11/2/12, 12/7/12
2013 Dates – January 4, 11, 18, 25. February 1, 8, 15, 22. March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29. April 5, 12, 19, 26
Time: 5pm-9pm
Vendor Set Up: any time after 4pm; in place and ready to sell by 6pm sharp
Description: Held in downtown New Port Richey, Railroad Square, one block east of Grand on Nebraska Avenue and Cavalaire Square located between Nebraska & Missouri Avenues. Experience a multitude of vendors who sell produce, plants & flowers, cooked and prepared specialty foods such as: fish, meats, cheeses, bakery items, jellies & jams, honey, nuts, coffee, ethnic foods and so much more. These products vary from week to week so there is always something new. There will be demonstrations, gardening tips and live entertainment from local artists.
Location: Historic Downtown New Port Richey
Address: Railroad Square, one block east of Main Street on Nebraska Avenue between Grand Blvd and Adams Street; and Cavalaire Square located between Nebraska & Missouri Avenues
Cost: Free to attendees – vendors see application
Contact Name: Beth Fregger Market Manager, Greater New Port Richey Main Street, Inc.
Contact Phone: 727-842-8066
Contact Email: gnprmsevents@gmail.com
URL: www.nprmainstreet.com
INTRODUCTION
• The New Port Richey Fresh Friday Night Farmers Market is the direct result of cooperation between the City of New Port Richey and Greater New Port Richey Main Street, Inc.; whose goal it is to assist in the growth and redevelopment of downtown New Port Richey, working with government, business and the public to carve out a niche for the city as one of the best places to live, work or play in the Tampa Bay area.
• The Fresh Friday Night Farmers Market is held on Friday evenings in historic downtown New Port Richey • It is located in Railroad Square, Nebraska Avenue and Cavalaire Square • The Market is open to customers from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. For more information, contact Main Street • Phone: (727) 842-8066 • Email: gnprmsevents@gmail.com
OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES
PRODUCT TYPES
• Food-related items are the core of the market experience. As a result, they are given preference over non-food-related items. The following are examples of items at the market:
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Food Related & Greenery (40 -60%) MUST BE VENDOR MADE SPECIALTY FOODS
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Produce, Plants & Flowers – fruit & vegetables, garden plants, herbs, cut flowers, bonsai, seeds, etc.
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Cooked/ Prepared Food – Baked goods, fresh bread, seafood, BBQ/smoked meat, cheese, pasta, ethnic food, etc Please refer to the Florida State codes and regulations on cottage industry laws to ensure you are following the rules regulating Cottage Industries. Here is a link to information re: Florida Cottage Laws: http://desoto.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf/CottageFoodAdvisory.pdf
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Specialty Foods – coffee, condiments, jams, nuts, dried herbs, sauces, flavored oils & vinegars, etc.
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Non-Food (40 – 50%)
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Handmade (by the vendor) – Fine artwork and crafts, clothing, toys, stained glass, massage.
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Local educational (5 -10%)
ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES
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The Market is not intended to be a crafts fair or flea market.
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The Market reserves the right to decline the participation of vendors that do not fit the Market objectives or criteria for participation.
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All vendors are required to provide tents, tables, or some type of product display are required.
It is suggested to consider a white tent in order to extract the most light.
FEES • the standard rent for vending at the market is $20 a day. The standard booth space is up to 10 front feet across and 10 feet deep.
VENDOR APPLICATION APPROVAL PROCESS
• The application process begins by the prospective vendor sending a detailed description of the proposed products and booth setup. See the sample descriptions at the end of this packet.
• The description must include:
– a detailed description of the types of item(s) you want to sell
– 2 pictures of your stocked display booth
– you may submit digital photos if applying online
– pictures of a reasonable sample of your products
– pictures are not returned
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
• Potential vendors are screened based on a number of criteria, including:
1. Product Type -Whether the product/service falls within the market guidelines (described above).
2. Product Quality – The quality, freshness and uniqueness of the product.
3. Presentation – The display of the products on tables and throughout the booth. (See the Guidelines for Success section in this packet)
4. Vendor Style – The general friendliness and appearance of the vendor
• The Market Committee is responsible for making the final decision about new vendors. Due to the volunteer status of the Committee, the screening and approval process may take several days.
• We restrict the number of vendors who carry specific types of products. If a category of product is already filled, we will notify the applicant and keep the application pending future openings.
• Vendors are not permitted to add additional product lines (outside the products described on their market application). Any subsequent additions to their initial product line need to be reviewed with and approved by the Market Manager. An example of a product line change requiring approval would include:
- A baked goods vendor who adds prepared sandwiches to their offering.
RESERVATION PROCESS
• Reserving a date at the Market can happen only after you have been approved to attend by the Market Committee.
• Reservations for a specific date are officially made by making a payment for the booth in advance.
• Payments should be made once your application has been approved.
• Vendors making a payment for an upcoming week can bring their payment to the market booth. Someone will be at the booth to collect your payment, and give you a receipt.
• Checks should be made to GNPRMS, Inc (Greater New Port Richey Main Street, Inc.). Send the payment to: FFNFM, c/o GNPRMS, Inc. 6231 Grand Boulevard, New Port Richey,FL 34652
• Payment must be received no later than 5 pm on Wednesday before that Friday’s market to hold your space. Payments received after the deadline may be subject to a late fee of $10.
• Payments made to reserve a spot are not refundable.
• Reserved vendors who have not arrived by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, or indicated in advance that they will be late, may forfeit their space.
• Any subsequent communications regarding changes in your schedule should be made by phone or email to the Market Manager, rather than verbally during the market.
• No refunds will be given due to rain cancellations.
FRIDAY OPERATIONS
SETUP
• Arrival
– Vendors must check in at the Main Street tent before unloading then vendors can begin setting up their display after 3:00 p.m. and must be completes by 4:45 p.m.
– Cavalaire Square parking aisle is closed to incoming vendor traffic at 5:00 p.m.
– After 5:00, vendors should unload their vehicle at designated vendor areas on the parking aisle.
• Driving -Please be very conscious of your speed as you drive through the market (or the neighboring parking lot) at the beginning and end of the day. You should drive no faster than walking speed – about 4 mph.
• Set-Up -As you are unloading and setting up, be conscious of parking your car in a way that maximizes the ability of other cars to get through. Move your car out at the very earliest opportunity. • Location -Vendors are not guaranteed a specific location on the street on a week-to-week basis.
- We will do our best to meet the specific needs and requests of each vendor, while balancing the overall needs of the market.
- Check with the Market Manager on your arrival at Fresh Friday Night Farmers Market to confirm your location.
• Booth Location -Spaces are delineated and numbered. Be careful to stay within the boundaries of your allocated space.
• Equipment – Vendors are responsible for supplying all of their booth materials e.g. tables, tents, chairs, lights, extension cords, etc.
OPERATIONS
• Parking – Vendor parking is designated on the south end of the City parking lot on the southeast side of the Verizon building. Vendors are not allowed to park in the Market area.
- It is critical that we leave the most convenient parking available for customers.
- Vehicles should be moved from the market street no later than 4:30 pm.
- Double parking (even for a short time) in a thru-traffic lane should not occur.
• Electricity –Limited electricity is available. Contact Market Manager for special request.
• There is abundant street lighting throughout the market area.
• Fire Protection – Any vendor with an open flame, typically used to heat food, needs to have a 5lb ABC fire extinguisher on hand.
• Obstacles – No obstacles (such as signs) that might impede free flow of pedestrian traffic.
• Selling – Vendors should limit their sales activities to their general booth area. In addition, no “Crying Out” devices (that would be disruptive to neighboring vendors) should be used.
• Flyers - Vendors may only distribute flyers within their booth space, and not in the pedestrian traffic areas.
• Garbage -Vendors are responsible for breaking down and bagging all their garbage and for disposing of at the end of the day. The public garbage receptacles in the streets are for customer use only.
• Wind – Wind can often be a challenge. We strongly recommend you always bring weights for a tent in case of windy conditions. Gallon jugs of sand or water hung from a long bungee cord tends to work well.
• Dogs – Dogs are allowed at the market, providing they are on a leash. Please inform a Market representative if a dog is behaving in a disruptive manner.
• Change – Plan to bring adequate change (bills and coins) with you. The Fresh Friday Night Farmers Market management does not provide change. A few vendors tend to primarily get asked for change, which is an imposition on serving their customers.
BREAKDOWN
• Clean-up – Vendors are responsible for leaving their area free of garbage and debris. Cleanup should be complete by 9:30 pm at the latest.
• Vending Duration -Vendors must remain “open” for business until the close of the Market.
• Vehicle Access -A vehicle should never be driven into the market until the street has been officially opened by the Market Manager.
WEATHER CLOSING
• The Market will not be closed simply due to a general rain possibility. The weather will need to have a very high probability of being bad to close the market (such as radar showing a line of showers that will definitely hit during the evening)
• If rain threatens after the market opens, we actively monitor radar on the Web to determine if and when to close.
LICENSES & HEALTH CODES
• Obtaining the proper licenses or permits, and obeying all codes is the sole responsibility of the vendor, including any regulations of the Florida Dept of Agriculture or other regulatory agencies.
• The market provides a blanket occupational license for all participating vendors (that applies only while they are vending at the market).
• Sales tax, where required by the State, is the responsibility of the seller.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
• Substitute Representatives– If a vendor is going to be absent for a day and have a representative stand in for them, they must inform the Market Manager of this in advance. It is also very important that the substitute read our Vendor Guidelines so that they are well informed about our policies and practices.
• Community Behavior -Vendors are expected to be courteous to customers, vendors, and market staff.
- Any disagreements need to be handled in a constructive and civil manner.
- Inappropriate behavior (such as loud angry conversation or obscenities) is cause for immediate and permanent removal from the market.
• Smoking – Smoking by vendors is prohibited.
• Alcohol -No vendor shall possess any alcoholic beverage.
• Solicitation – Solicitation of any type (distribution of flyers, requests for money, petitions, etc) is not allowed within the Market boundaries. Please inform a market representative if you see solicitation occurring.
ENFORCEMENT OF RULES
• Any grievance regarding the actions of other vendors should be brought to the attention of the Market Manager, and not directed to the vendor in question.
• Any vendor not in compliance with the above regulations may be asked by the manager to leave the premises immediately. No refund will be given. Approval for further participation is subject to the discretion of the Market Committee.
• These rules have been developed by the Market Committee of New Port Richey Downtown Farmers Market, and are subject to change upon review.
http://www.nprmainstreet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/FFNFM-Application.pdf