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Morgan County/Decatur Farmers Market

Vendor Policy Manual – 2026
(Please read this policy carefully before signing.)

Mission Statement

The Morgan County/Decatur Farmers Market is a vital gathering space designed to foster healthy communities, support local businesses, and enhance the quality of life in North Alabama.

Our mission encompasses core values that promote healthy communities by offering fresh, locally-produced goods, and providing a safe and welcoming environment for all. Vendors at the Morgan County/Decatur Farmers Market are committed to adhering to high standards, ensuring that every product meets the quality expectations of our patrons. From farm-fresh vegetables and artisanal goods to live entertainment, the Market thrives as a celebration of local talent and entrepreneurship.

We uphold the principles of sustainability, authenticity, and collaboration, creating opportunities for our vendors to succeed and for our community to flourish. By prioritizing local products and fostering direct connections between buyers and sellers, the Market strengthens the regional economy while supporting a vibrant, healthy lifestyle for all.

Operating weekly in our newly renovated Market, we place a focus on connecting farmers, ranchers, growers, artisans, makers, and musicians with the wider Tennessee Valley region. This gathering place is more than just a venue for commerce — it’s a hub for building relationships between producers and consumers, accelerating economic growth, and nurturing the prosperity of small and local enterprises.

Vendor Requirements Eligibility

Farmers, Ranchers, Growers, and Producers

• Applications are accepted based on the variety of offerings and seasonal availability.
• All products sold must be grown, raised, or produced by the vendor. Reselling is not permitted. 
• Farmers must reside in Alabama, and live within 75 miles of Morgan County.
• Fresh Farm Products: The following local produce and farm products may be sold at the market: vegetables, fruits, berries, herbs, nuts, flowers, plants, honey, eggs, poultry, pasteurized dairy products, and meats. All farm fresh products sold at the Morgan County/Decatur Farmers Market must be grown by the vendor.
• Nursery Products and Plants: Nursery products include all living plants and portions of plants sold for vegetative reproduction. The vendor must propagate all nursery products and flowers from seed or by division of plants or bulbs under the care of the vendor or have plants in their care for one (1) month prior to being sold at the market.
• Vendors must display their business name and location at their booth.

Value-Added Food Vendors

• Vendors may sell processed or prepared foods using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible (within 150 miles is encouraged).
• All applicable health regulations must be followed. Vendors must hold permits/licenses from city, county, state, and federal authorities.
• Home Processed Foods: Prepared food products include, but are not limited to, baked goods, dried herbs and spices, coffee, jellies, jams, and canned goods. The MCDFM does allow the sales of foods prepared in the home of kitchens that meet Alabama Department of Public Health guidelines as allowed by the Home Processed Rule, Chapter 420-3-22-01 of the Rule of Food Establishment Sanitation. See www.fma.alabama.gov 
• Value Added Products: All producers selling value-added products (including value-added farm products per Alabama Department of Revenue Sales and Use Tax Rulebook, (section 810-6-3-01) are required to collect and submit sales taxes to the respective tax agencies, state, county, and city. Vendors are responsible for registering with the city under this license and for paying all necessary taxes.

Artisans and Makers

• All items must be handmade by the vendor; franchise or imported products are prohibited. All flea-market goods, manufactured items or commercial brand merchandise are not permitted at the market. All new crafts will be subjected to a jury process and will be requested to submit a sample photo of their work for review. Review considerations are: craftsmanship, quality, and aesthetic value. The board of directors may place restrictions on some arts and crafts categories to avoid duplication that would, in the opinion of the majority of board members, adversely affect the image of the Farmers Market. 
• Vendors must submit three product photos for jury approval.

Food Trucks

• $30 every setup on Fridays, Saturdays, and Event Days. Setup will be no later than 10 am on Fridays and 8 am on Saturdays. Breakdown will be no later than 12:30 PM. Cancellation must be given two (2) days prior to scheduled appearance. A No Call/No Show will result in not being invited back. Electricity will be provided for any food truck. Please follow all Decatur City requirements and license requirements before setup at the Farmers Market.

Application and Compliance

Vendor Application

• Vendors must complete the annual application and provide all required documents, including licenses, permits, and proof of liability insurance.
• Vendors must sign a Hold Harmless and Participation Agreement as part of the application process.

Permits and Licenses

• A current grower’s permit from the vendor’s home county is required for all farmers/ranchers.
• Nonexempt processed food vendors must provide permits from the Alabama Department of Health, as well as business licenses from the City of Decatur and Morgan County.
• Vendors selling exempt foods under the Cottage Food Law must display the following label:“This item was prepared in a kitchen that is NOT inspected by a regulatory agency.”
   

Farm or Facility Inspections

• Vendors must be available for inspections to verify product authenticity or compliance with health and safety standards.

Product Guidelines

1. Eligible Products
   • Vegetables, fruits, nuts, berries
   • Ornamental plants and flowers
   • Eggs, milk, cheese, meat, poultry
   • Honey and edible plants
   • Processed foods: jams, jellies, salsas, baked goods, etc.
   • Handmade crafts and artisan goods
2. Prohibited Items

• Commercial or flea-market goods
• Products not listed in the vendor application without prior approval
• The sale of live animals, or raw milk is not allowed at the market. 

Market Operations

Fees and Payments

• Fees will be determined by the Market Board.
• Prepaid vendors may receive priority placement.

Setup and Breakdown

• Vendors must unload quickly and move vehicles out of the market area before setting up.
• At the end of the market, vendors must dismantle their booth before retrieving vehicles. Vendors must be packed up by 12:30 PM.

Attendance Policy

• Vendors must confirm attendance via email, phone or text.
• Vendors must notify the Market Manager of absences  a minimum of 24 hours in advance by email.

No-shows will incur penalties:

• First offense: Warning.
• Second offense: Booth fee prior to setting up.
• Third offense: One-month suspension.

Weather and Cancellations

• The market may cancel or adjust hours due to inclement weather (e.g., lightning, high winds).

Behavior and Conduct

• Vendors must treat customers, staff, and fellow vendors with respect. There will be zero tolerance of vendors being rude to customers or spreading negativity to customers or vendors.
• Profane, abusive, or malicious language and conduct are prohibited.
• Smoking and vaping are not allowed in the market area. Use or possession of alcohol or drugs, or gambling at or around the market area is prohibited. Use of all tobacco products/vaping is prohibited in the market area.
• All dishonest practices such as price fixing, and the establishment of monopolies, as spelled out in the Sherman Act, by vendors are prohibited. Scales may not be used. Any complaint from a buyer to the manager will be investigated and could result in the vendor being denied use of the market facilities. 
• Hate speech is any form of expression to which vendors or customers intend to vilify, humiliate, or incite hatred against an individual, a group, or a class of persons on the basis of race, religion, skin color, sexual identity, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, or national origin and will not be tolerated. Breaking of this rule will result in immediate removal from the Market. 

Sampling

In accordance with Alabama State Law, all vendors, regardless of product, must meet the health requirements that prevent food borne illnesses. The standard requirements and recommendations for preparations and sampling are: 

1. Preparation of fruit and vegetables samples requiring cutting or slicing should be done on site immediately prior to consumption. 
2. Clean knives and cutting boards must be placed in protective plastic containers, food storage bags, wrapped in plastic wrap, etc. 
3. Clean equipment must be used to cut product, in-use items must be stored so they are protected from contamination.
4. Replace soiled knives, cutting boards, etc. with clean items every two (2) hours 
5. Use single service items whenever possible. 
6. Store soiled items in a closed bag or container to avoid attracting insects. 
7. All fruits and vegetables must be rinsed or cleaned prior to bringing them to the market. The items should be stored in disposable food bags. 
8. Fruits and vegetable sample servings must be protected from contamination at all times. 
9. Serving must be done in a manner protecting the sample from any bare hand contact. 
10. Utilize disposable gloves, single service utensils, napkins or tissues, or toothpicks are all adequate methods to avoid handling prepared samples. 
11. Any ice used for cooling must be continuously and properly drained to avoid wrapped items soaking in melted ice water. 
12. Canned items like jelly, salsa, etc., may be opened one jar at a time and sampled with clean disposable utensils. 
13. Use toothpicks, wax paper, paper sampling cups, or disposable utensils to distribute samples.

Liability and Safety

1. Vendor Responsibility
   • Vendors assume full responsibility for their products and operations.
   • Vendors must maintain liability insurance and adhere to all health and safety regulations.
2. Electrical Needs

• Limited power outlets are available; vendors must confirm availability in advance.
• Vendors are encouraged to bring a secondary power source if necessary.

Indemnification

By participating in the Morgan County/Decatur Farmers Market, all producers shall be individually responsible to the Morgan County/Decatur Farmers Market for any loss, personal unjust, deaths, and/or any other damage that may occur as a result of the producers negligence or that of the producers servants, agents or employees. All producers hereby agree to indemnify and safe the MCDFM harmless from any loss, cost, damage and other expenses, including attorney fees, suffered or incurred by MCDFM, by reason of the producers negligence or that of its servants, agents or employees. Producers are liable for their own products. The MCDFM shall not be held accountable for the products offered by Producers. Product and liability insurance is the responsibility of the producers. Participants assume all risk of fire, theft, weather or other causes of damages or loss. Participants agree to fully indemnify and hold the MCDFM harmless from any claims of property or bodily injury caused by any member of the public due to the acts of omissions of the participant. There are no other agreements between the MCDFM and the participants, whether written or oral, other than the Rule and Guidelines of the MCDFM, Morgan County/Decatur Farmers Market.

Acknowledgment of Policies

By continuing and submitting an application, I confirm that I have read, understood, and agree to abide by the Morgan County/Decatur Farmers Market policies. Violations may result in suspension or expulsion from the market.