OUTDOOR VENDOR INFORMATION AND RULES
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 & Thursday. The first
Saturday in May till the last market day of October.
1. Sale times will be every Saturday 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p m & Thursdays 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
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 2010 season is as follows: $35.00 annual membership fee (mandatory), 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. A stall is considered to be 10’ X 10’. (Additional stall spaces are $10.00 for each market day.)
OR
The 2010 annual fee schedule: $35.00 membership fee (mandatory), plus stall fees of $350.00, allowing the
vendor to vend every Saturday & Thursday that the market operates from May 1 through October 30 (52 total
market days). This fee is payable $175 on or before May 1, and balance by July 1, 2010. No refunds will be
granted on either membership or annual fees if not fully utilized by a member. (Additional stall spaces are $10
and should be arranged for in advance.)
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.
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 & Thursday. The first
Saturday in May till the last market day of October.
1. Sale times will be every Saturday 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p m & Thursdays 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
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 2010 season is as follows: $35.00 annual membership fee (mandatory), 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. A stall is considered to be 10’ X 10’. (Additional stall spaces are $10.00 for each market day.)
OR
The 2010 annual fee schedule: $35.00 membership fee (mandatory), plus stall fees of $350.00, allowing the
vendor to vend every Saturday & Thursday that the market operates from May 1 through October 30 (52 total
market days). This fee is payable $175 on or before May 1, and balance by July 1, 2010. No refunds will be
granted on either membership or annual fees if not fully utilized by a member. (Additional stall spaces are $10
and should be arranged for in advance.)
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.
| Ames Downtown Farmers’ Market 2010 Rules & Information – Outdoor Market |