INDOOR MARKET INFORMATION & RULES
The Ames Downtown 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 market will be held at 526 Main Street
Station, Suite 103 & 104 and operated inside as a year around market,
1. Sale times will be determined by the board as determined to be the best times and days for the good of the
market. Vendors may bring their products to the market during those hours of operation. The market will be
operated by volunteers until such time it is determined by the board that hired personnel can be afforded. Any
vendor can volunteer to work at the store during the market hours and sell all vendors products or any vendor may
be at the store during open hours promoting and selling their own products.
2. All products sold at the Ames Downtown Farmers’ Market must be made, baked or grown by the vendor or a
member of his/her immediate family (including parents, siblings, spouses, and children) or hired personnel of the
vendor.. Questionable items will be subject to verification.
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 board. 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. Non-hazardous baked goods may be prepared, cut and wrapped as individual
portions at home. 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.
6. The indoor market will be managed by the board of directors. Any grievance should be directed to the board of
directors 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 board of directors 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.
7. The building used for our market is leased from Hubbell Realty. Advertising costs, general liability insurance
(individual vendors are not covered with product liability); heat, electricity and other miscellaneous expenses are
substantial and are not free or donated. Therefore, vendors utilizing stall spaces will be charged at the rates below.
Rental fees are paid to the Ames Downtown Farmers’ Market via the treasurer before the vendor may conduct
sales transactions. Membership must be paid in advance to the Treasurer.
To sell at the Ames Downtown 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 2010 season is as follows:
The annual market membership is $25.00. The stall fee is $ 12.50 per foot of space per month from floor to
ceiling. An alternative for less than a full stall is to pay a shelf space of $15.00 per month for 3 foot of shelf. All
vendors accepted to the market are expected to commit to a six month period, whether they have product at the
market or not. The market fees are subject change if the board of directors determines a need. Each vendor
should provide their own table, display racks, coolers and any other equipment needed. No refunds will be granted
on either membership or stall fees if not fully utilized by a member.
8. All vendors participating in the Ames Downtown 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 Downtown 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 board. Written exceptions, if any,
are to be on file with the original application.
9. The board of directors 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.
10. Exceptions to the above rules may be made by a majority vote of the board of directors when the exception is
applied for in writing. The board reserves the right to accept or deny any request. Such exceptions should be
known by members of the Ames Downtown Farmers’ Market.
11. The Ames Downtown Farmers’ Market Assoc. or any of its officers or the board of directors will not be held
responsible for any vendor’s products or property left within the market.
12. 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 Downtown Farmers’ Market Association and its board of directors.
members of this association which are designed to expand the direct marketing concept of agricultural
products, baked goods and crafts by local producers.” The market will be held at 526 Main Street
Station, Suite 103 & 104 and operated inside as a year around market,
1. Sale times will be determined by the board as determined to be the best times and days for the good of the
market. Vendors may bring their products to the market during those hours of operation. The market will be
operated by volunteers until such time it is determined by the board that hired personnel can be afforded. Any
vendor can volunteer to work at the store during the market hours and sell all vendors products or any vendor may
be at the store during open hours promoting and selling their own products.
2. All products sold at the Ames Downtown Farmers’ Market must be made, baked or grown by the vendor or a
member of his/her immediate family (including parents, siblings, spouses, and children) or hired personnel of the
vendor.. Questionable items will be subject to verification.
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 board. 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. Non-hazardous baked goods may be prepared, cut and wrapped as individual
portions at home. 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.
6. The indoor market will be managed by the board of directors. Any grievance should be directed to the board of
directors 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 board of directors 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.
7. The building used for our market is leased from Hubbell Realty. Advertising costs, general liability insurance
(individual vendors are not covered with product liability); heat, electricity and other miscellaneous expenses are
substantial and are not free or donated. Therefore, vendors utilizing stall spaces will be charged at the rates below.
Rental fees are paid to the Ames Downtown Farmers’ Market via the treasurer before the vendor may conduct
sales transactions. Membership must be paid in advance to the Treasurer.
To sell at the Ames Downtown 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 2010 season is as follows:
The annual market membership is $25.00. The stall fee is $ 12.50 per foot of space per month from floor to
ceiling. An alternative for less than a full stall is to pay a shelf space of $15.00 per month for 3 foot of shelf. All
vendors accepted to the market are expected to commit to a six month period, whether they have product at the
market or not. The market fees are subject change if the board of directors determines a need. Each vendor
should provide their own table, display racks, coolers and any other equipment needed. No refunds will be granted
on either membership or stall fees if not fully utilized by a member.
8. All vendors participating in the Ames Downtown 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 Downtown 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 board. Written exceptions, if any,
are to be on file with the original application.
9. The board of directors 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.
10. Exceptions to the above rules may be made by a majority vote of the board of directors when the exception is
applied for in writing. The board reserves the right to accept or deny any request. Such exceptions should be
known by members of the Ames Downtown Farmers’ Market.
11. The Ames Downtown Farmers’ Market Assoc. or any of its officers or the board of directors will not be held
responsible for any vendor’s products or property left within the market.
12. 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 Downtown Farmers’ Market Association and its board of directors.
| Ames Downtown Farmers’ Market Association 2010 Rules & Information – Inside Market |