Becoming a Vendor

ALERT: You will never be contacted via facebook regarding acceptance status. scammers frequently target potential vendors on facebook and other platforms. acceptance only comes from the following email address: Trfarmersmarketinfo@gmail.com


please review the criteria and REQUIREMENTS below before submitting an application.


Summer Market Application

Application deadline: March 10th
You will be notified of your acceptance status by March 23.


Accepted Products

Please note that we are a product only market that strives for a composition of:

50% Farmers

30% Value Added Goods

20% Artisans

Products accepted from within a 50 MILE radius include:

  • Fruit & Vegetables grown by the seller from seeds, seedlings, or sets

  • Potted plants or  live plant starts grown by the seller from seed, seedling, or transplant

  • Eggs produced by the seller’s poultry

  • Honey produced by the seller’s bees

  • Fresh baked goods and prepared food items must be made from scratch by the seller using regionally sourced, sustainable ingredients

  • Fresh cut flowers grown on the seller’s farm

  • Meat products must be produced from animals raised on the seller’s farm

  • Dairy products, including milk, cheese, and yogurt must be produced from animals raised on the seller’s farm

  • Fish products must be humanely caught or raised

  • Pet food and treats made from scratch by the seller using regionally sourced, sustainable ingredients

  • Foraging is an acceptable practice. Foraged products must be approved by the TRFM management prior to sale

  • Prepared and packaged foods using ingredients sourced from local, SC farms

  • Bath and Body products that incorporate regional and sustainable ingredients

  • Natural cleaners that incorporate sustainable ingredients

  • Handmade artisan products using natural materials (i.e. wood, fiber art, print, soy wax)

  • Handmade, high quality craft products that include minimal to no pre-manufactured components.

Selection of vendors of approved products is based on:

  • Market composition parameters (50%, 30%, 20%)

  • Excessive duplication of a single product 

  • Vendor history at TRFM (attendance, consistency, compliance, etc.)

  • Sufficient inventory to meet market demand

Not Accepted:

  • Resellers or wholesalers

  • Service vendors (note sponsor opportunities for this sector)

  • Foods prepared in an unauthorized kitchen

  • Overly processed foods/ premanufactured mixes

  • Carnival-like foods that do not utilize some local or regional ingredients: (i.e. funnel cakes, candy apples, etc.)

  • Beverages not produced by vendor business (i.e. soda, energy drinks, etc.)

  • Meat and dairy products treated with growth hormones

  • Products containing THC

  • Products from franchised businesses 

If your business does not meet the above requirements at this time – please do not complete the Vendor Application.

Criteria & Required Documents

With your application, all vendors are required to provide the following documentation:

  • TR Business License (make note that you are a TRFM vendor for a prorated fee).

  • Department of Agriculture and/ or Department of Health certifications, as required by your business (Food2Market FAQ )

  • Certificate of liability insurance (edible products only)

  • Application Fees

 Additional Farmer Requirements:

  • Farm & Crop Plans 

    • Anticipated crops intended to be planted, and harvest timeline. We may ask for updated crop plans and harvest dates throughout the season.

  • Farm site inspection by TRFM staff as part of the application process

  • Mobile Meat License (meat producers only)

  • Candling License (egg producers only)

  • Dairy Manufacturer’s License (cheese producers only)

  • Cottage License or DHEC License (farms selling value-added products only)

Additional Product for Requirements (for non-agricultural goods):

  • Product ingredient lists

  • Product label images 

  • Product samples for New Vendors

  • Product photos for (arts & crafts only)

TRFM is committed to transparency within our vendor community. We reserve the right to request additional information from vendors during the application process and throughout the market season, including but not limited to updated farm plans, planting and harvesting information, information regarding suppliers, or information deemed important to our staff. TRFM also reserves the right to request farm visits or production site visits if questions or concerns regarding products arise.

Vendor Fees

 

If accepted into a market:  

  • Market fees are to be paid monthly

  • Market fees paid in advance are not refundable but are transferrable to future markets. Exceptions to the refund policy may apply in the case of a death, a health emergency or cancellations of market due to weather. 

  • Please pay by card or check payable to Travelers Rest Farmers Market and mailed to PO BOX 608 Travelers Rest, SC 29690