FAQs

for Interested Vendors

View Berea Farmer Market’s Handbook here.
Every product sold at the Berea Farmers Market must be grown or created by the vendor selling the product. Any processed food item (jelly, salsa, breads, etc. ) must contain at least one ingredient that the vendor has raised. Each food vendor must complete a farm plan listing products or product ingredients grown for sale at the market.
Participants in the market are determined by the board members based on the information that the participant submits.
See the Kentucky Department of Ag. Farmers Market Manual.
No. There is absolutely no reselling of any products at the Berea Farmers’ Market. We have built a trusting customer base of people who value buying directly from the farmer or artisan who grew or created their sale product.
Board approved members may sell products of another board approved vendor. A separate application and vending fee must be submitted though.
We recommend that all farmers become Kentucky Proud members. Kentucky Proud is the official state marketing program for agricultural products. There is no charge to join. As a Kentucky Proud member, you can consult with Kentucky Department of Agriculture marketing specialists; apply for grants and cost share funds; buy promotional items at cost; display the Kentucky Proud logo; and take advantage of many more member benefits.
No. You do need to submit a Berea Farmers Market farm plan to the board to verify that everything you bring to sell at the market has been grown by you
Every processed item sold at the Berea Farmers’ Market must contain at least one ingredient grown by the vendor selling it. The Kentucky Department for Public Health’s Food Safety Branch is responsible for ensuring the safety and wholesomeness of all food products marketed in Kentucky and has partnered with KDA’s farmers’ market program. Depending on the circumstances of the operation and the food items being marketed, it may be necessary for vendors to secure specialized training and/or a permit to operate. See “home-based processor” and “micro-processor” questions for more information or contact the Madison County Extension office (859)623-4072 for more information.
This registration is for farmers who want to sell homemade jams, jelly, and baked items whose primary ingredient is grown on their farm. Home-based processing certificates are obtained from the Kentucky Department for Public Health’s Food Safety Branch
This certification is for farmers who want to sell salsas, home-canned veggies and pickled products. It requires the completion of the training course provided by University of Kentucky Extension ($50). Additionally, all recipes must be submitted to Dr. Sandra Bastin at UK for review and approval ($5 each). After finishing these two steps, an application should be submitted to the Kentucky Department for Public Health's Food Safety Branch with copies of the completed training course certificate and all recipes and labels.
Yes. A permit is required for each type of food to be sold. Having a micro-processor certification does not cover registration for producing jams and jellies.
No. Only U.S. Department of Agriculture-inspected eggs and milk may be used.
A farmers’ market temporary food service permit is needed to cook and sell a Kentucky-grown food at the market. This special permit (for Kentucky farmers only) is good for six consecutive months, and allows service twice per week.
The Department for Public Health, in cooperation with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, has developed a food safety training program for farmers who want to sample their product. Farmers who wish to slice, cut cook or otherwise prepare samples must complete this program and keep its certificate of completion with them during their sampling. For more information about how to get started in sampling, see this slideshow about Best Practices for Sampling at Kentucky Farmers Markets.
A home-based processor permit is needed.
Individuals who wish to manufacture dog biscuits and other specialty pet treats are required to register with the Division of Regulatory Services as well as meet specific labeling requirements of the law. For more information regarding the manufacture of pet treats, contact the Feed Program, at (859) 257-2785. Additional information may be obtained by visiting their web page. Pet treats should be clearly labeled for pets.
Kentucky law exempts the manufacture of soaps from regulations provided that the label makes no medicinal claims. Lip balms, lotions and any other cosmetics may be produced only by permitted manufacturer. Cosmetic manufactures are permitted by the Kentucky Food Safety Branch and are subject to the same Rules and Regulations as any other food manufacturer. This includes having a commercial grade kitchen and a label review by the Food Safety Branch. Contact the Food Safety Branch for further information.
If the product is sold by weight, you must have a legal-for-trade scale that has been inspected by the Kentucky Dept. of Agriculture. Once a year, an inspector will be available either at the Berea Farmers Market or in a near-by location to certify your scale.
Scales must be for legal trade and made for commercial use. A legal-for-trade scale will be marked with:
A serial number.
A model number.
Class III designation on the identification plate or seal.

Tips for New Vendors at the Farmers’ Market

What you need to get started…

Before applying at the Berea Farmers Market, visit us and get familiar with the market. Take a look at what is already being sold and who seems to be selling well. Being in direct retail is a very difficult job. What you grow has to be interesting, and it has to look good. Farmers also have to manage logistics and provide good customer service. You need to be good at all of it. You have to be able to sell your product. Don’t let someone walk by your stand without saying ‘hello.’ To learn how to create a great business at the farmers market, see New Farmers Guide: Cultivating Success at Farmers Markets.

How much should you charge for your products?…

Before you vend at the market, visit the market and take a look at what vendors are charging for their product. Many beginning farmers undervalue what they sell. It’s important that farmers charge fair prices—customers want to support farmers who sell local food, as this is a service they provide. Management does not set price limits but vendors are friendly rather than competitive in pricing. Food that is certified organic, humanely raised, etc. tends to bring more than food without the certifications. For an idea of what farmers are charging at farmers markets around Central Kentucky see the University of Kentucky’s weekly farmers market price report.

Safety at the Market

All canopies & umbrellas must be staked or weighted. Tents, umbrellas, and other things that fly in the wind

Wind-blown canopies and umbrellas are the number one cause of injuries at a farmers’ market. Wind is unpredictable and can come without warning. A gusty wind coming from just the right direction can cause a tent to become a very heavy, damaging projectile. Injuries occur yearly at farmers markets due to tents/canopies being improperly secured. PLEASE secure your tent!

Some suggested ways to secure tents include:

Filling an empty bucket (2.5 gallon works great) with sand or cement and tying this to each corner of the tent with a rope or bungee
Purchasing weights that are specially made for securing canopies and weigh at least 24 pounds
PVC pipe capped and filled with cement can be hung on the inside of canopy poles
Multiple ideas and even video tutorials found through a simple online search