I. PARTICIPATION

a. The Bath Farmers Market (BFM) was established as an outlet for local Maine agricultural and related products and to help promote small-scale agricultural and rural enterprise.

b. The BFM consists of local small growers of vegetables and other related agricultural products; local producers of "added value" items such as baked goods, pickles, preserves, etc.: local people involved in catching, processing and distributing Maine seafood products; local craftspeople and any other category deemed acceptable to the voting membership.

c. It is recognized that although members sell as individuals, the BFM is a cohesive unit, the success of which depends on the cooperation and joint effort of the vendors as a whole.

II. ACCEPTABLE PRODUCTS

a. Products for sales at the BFM must be in compliance with State regulations and the following guidelines of the BFM.

b. Each vendor or a family member must produce 75% of all items offered for sale at the BFM.

c. All craft items must be of good quality and should be clearly marked with the maker's name.

d. A high standard of freshness is required for produce. Produce should be picked as close to market time as possible and handled in such a way as to preserve their freshness during the market.

III. BFM MEMBERSHIP

a. The voting membership of the BFM shall consist of one representative from each participating vendor.

b. All new memberships are subject to the approval of the current voting membership or a committee appointed by the membership.

c. An annual BFM membership fee may be collected at the beginning of each market season or upon joining the BFM. This fee will set annually by the voting membership and will be used to pay for the costs associated with the BFM operations - e.g. advertising, insurance, rent, etc..

d. The current voting membership will elect three officers at an annual meeting - Market Master, Treasurer and Secretary.

1. The Market Master will oversee implementation of these market guidelines, act as market spokesperson and make any on-site decisions relating to market management when the need arises in the absence of the association officers. Any such decisions are subject to review and/or appeal by the voting membership.

2. The Treasurer will collect all dues and stall fees from vendors, pay all expenses associated with the operation of the market (advertising, rent, etc.), keep record and maintain of all BFM funds, and make financial reports to the membership at all meetings.

3. The Secretary will take minutes at BFM meetings and distribute meeting notices to the membership.

IV. MARKET SITE

a. The voting members at an annual meeting will decide the BFM location, days and times of operation.

b. The BFM will be conspicuously identified by a neat legible sign place at the BFM site subject to the approval of the property owner.

c. Layout of the market stalls will be determined by joint agreement of the membership and the property owner.

d. Customer parking will be clearly designated by conspicuous signs and arranged to ensure safety and Market visibility. Parking arrangements are subject to approval of the property owner.

e. Rent, if any, will be negotiated annually with the property owner or his/her agent by designated representatives of the BFM, subject to approval of the voting membership.

f. Vendors must post their name and farm location at the stall each market day.

g. Vendors must leave the Market site by time agreed to with the property owner.

V. STALL ALLOCATION

a. Number and size of stalls available at the BFM will be determined by the voting membership based on size and topography of the BFM site.

b. A daily stall fee will be collected from BFM participants.

1. Stall fees will be set annually by a vote taken at an annual meeting. These fees will be used to pay for the costs associated with the BFM operations.

2. Stall fees will be collected and recorded each market day by the Treasurer and deposited into the general funds of the BFM.

c. Stalls at the BFM will be occupied by paid-up members on a daily first-come-first-serve basis, or by any other means determined by the voting membership.

d. Disputes over stall spaces shall be heard and settled by the Market Master; all such decisions are subject to appeal, to be settled by a vote of the current voting membership.

VI. MARKET OPERATION

a. Knowledge of and compliance with all state regulations regarding the production, labeling, display and sale of all products at the BFM is the responsibility of the individual vendor.

1. Sales tax must be collected as required by Maine State law. Maine's sales and use tax law requires tax collection on non-edibles such as crafts, as well as tax on snack food items. It is the responsibility of each vendor to obtain their own tax numbers, and be familiar with which of their items are taxable, and to collect such taxes and forward them to the State Treasurer.

2. Processors of homemade foods such as pickles, baked goods, etc. must comply with Chapter 345 of the Department of Agriculture requirements and assume responsibility for licensing, inspection, etc.

3. Eggs, fish, meat and dairy products must be handled in a manner acceptable to state regulations - e.g. product must be kept in a cooler or on ice or under refrigeration.

4. Department of Agriculture law requires that fresh produce be displayed at least six inches off the floor.

5. All produce sold by weight must be weighed for the customer at the Market site. Only scales carrying current certification by the Department of Weights and Measures will be allowed, in compliance with State of Maine law.

6. Vendors engaged in growing and selling plants of all kinds must obtain a license from the Maine Department of Agriculture.

b. Prices should be displayed clearly, either by use of a price list or with individual signs for each product.

c. Each vendor selling at the Market will have a good understanding and knowledge of their product, its handling, etc.

d. Each vendor shall be responsible for insuring themselves with General Liability Insurance and provide the Market Master with a current "Certificate of Liability Insurance" at the beginning of each market season.

e. Each vendor shall be responsible for licensing themselves with all necessary licenses and permits required for their business and provide the Market Master with copies of their current licenses at the beginning of each market season.

VII. APPEARANCE AND CONDUCT

a. Vendors will be neat, suitably dressed, and deal with the public in a courteous and appropriate manner.

b. All vendors will display their products neatly and attractively, with consideration for the other vendors and the general public.

c. Vendors are responsible for their own stalls, will supply all necessary trash containers, and will leave their site clean and in a condition suitable to the Market Master and property owner.

d. Any animals brought to the market are subject to prior approval by the voting membership.

e. Hawking and false advertising is forbidden.

f. Vendors shall not smoke at the Market.

Revised 5/4/99