Corpus Christi Southside Farmers Market Association

Rules and Regulations

All Vendors

​

These rules are to be set by the Board of Directors and enforced by the Market Manager who is responsible for the management of the Farmers Market. 

1. Days, hours and opening of the market are determined by the Board. Vendors must be setting by 830 and may not break down their booth until close of business unless otherwise arranged with the Market Manager. Vendors using canopy tents must have adequate weights for said canopy.

2. All vendors are required to comply with one site visit prior to admittance, and additional visits as noted in the rules specified for each vendor type. 

3. All products sold at the Corpus Christi Southside Farmers Market must be grown, raised, and produced directly by the vendor. 

4. Vendors are permitted to sell only items that were approved upon application. New products intended for sale by current vendors, but not included on the most recently approved application, must be approved prior to their sale at Market.

       a. If any member of the Board has sufficient reason to believe a vendor is not in compliance, the

           Market Manager will address suspect product(s) outside of market hours in-person or via email. 

       b. If a vendor is in violation he/she may be subject to an on-site audit, proof of compliance, and or

            proof of the source of said items at Board discretion.

 

1. All production must take place within 200 miles of Corpus Christi in the state of Texas and must be performed using land and facilities that the Vendor controls through ownership, lease, rental, or other legal agreement, that can be verified by the Board.

2. Products must be produced and sold in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. 

3. Vendors are responsible for maintaining required permits, licenses, and certifications for all products they produce. Scales used must be certified by TDA.

4. Vendors will be limited to the purchase of a maximum of two 10x10 booths.

5.  Vendor booths not occupied by assigned vendor 30 minutes prior to opening maybe used by the Market Manager at his/her discretion for other vendors. Each member is required to maintain his/her booth or product for sale as attractive as possible. Booth spaces will be cleaned at the end of market appearance. 

6.  Vendor vehicles must be parked in designated parking areas as assigned by the Market Manager.

7.  Sales must be conducted in an orderly manner. Market image as a community asset must be maintained. Vendors or Board members shall not involve public or the membership in internal market management issues. Courtesy with public or others is paramount to promote the image of the market. Public dissention or loud arguing of vendors or with customers will not be tolerated. Verbal or physical assault of a customer or vendor will be cause for dismissal from the market and revocation of membership in the Association. 

8.  Sampling is permitted; vendors must follow product-sampling guidelines as specified by the City of Corpus Christi Environmental Health Department. 

9.  Vendor or customer complaints shall be directed to the Market Manager or Secretary. Market officials will rectify the situation. 

10.  Consumption of alcohol, drugs, tobacco or possession of illegal or open carry firearms at the market site will not be allowed and will result in immediate revocation of membership in the Association. Smoking is permitted behind the “Palace” building, not around customers or vendors. 

11.  Dumping of excess product is not allowed. Dumping is defined as selling excess product at distress prices, impacting other vendors with the same or similar items. Intentional undercutting will not be tolerated. 

12.  All items sold as organic must meet the requirements of the National Organic Program. Sellers of organic items must have a copy of their certification on file with CCSSFM. Only certified organic growers may display signs using the word organic.

 

Agricultural Producers 

1. All farms and ranches will be visited prior to admittance. Furthermore, at the Board’s discretion, Agricultural producers are subject to one site visit, including on-farm audits, per calendar year. We reserve the right to visit any affiliate site, such as: packing warehouses, secondary properties (leased or owned), or indoor growing facilities.

2. Unapproved resell will not be tolerated.

3. Approved vendors may sell plants and trees, fresh and dried flowers, herbs and decorative vegetation grown or legally gathered themselves. Purchased nursery stock must be repotted and grown for a minimum of four weeks before being sold. 

4. In the event the CCSSFM is approached by an unvetted Agricultural producer, due to surplus or seasonality, they must adhere to the guidelines and vetting process of a potential vendor. 

 

Animal Producers: Animal producers of animal-based products, including beef, pork, rabbit, poultry, eggs, and dairy products.

1. All vendors are subject to one site visit prior to admittance. Furthermore, Animal Producers are subject to one site visit per calendar year, at the discretion of the Board.

2. Animals used in production of products, for sale at Market, must be raised and managed using humane husbandry practices and environmentally sound methods.

3. Live animals are prohibited from being sold at Market.

V

alue-Added Producers: All vendors are subject to one site visit prior to admittance. Furthermore, Value Added Producers are subject to at least one site visit per every calendar year, at the discretion of the Board.

1. Value-Added products must be processed and packaged, by the vendor in their own facility or created and developed by the vendor. The use of recyclable/compostable food containers is preferred and encouraged. 

2. Vendors must, when required, obtain, maintain and display necessary permits or licenses. 

3. All items intended for human consumption must be kept off the ground at all times and be in a safe and sound condition. The producer/seller will be solely responsible for damages resulting from the sale of unsound goods

 

Non-Vendors: Nonprofit Organizations, Governmental Entities and Activity Providers must comply with the following: 

1. Must follow all applicable market rules. 

2. Personnel must stay within the perimeters of their booth pace. Soliciting is prohibited. Market walk-throughs to recruit participants are prohibited. 

3. Organizations must provide their own equipment, including: tables, chairs, and canopy.

 

If you have read and agree to the above CCSSFM Rules & Regulations click below to apply:

Full-time, weekly Vendors apply here.