SANBORNTON
FARMERS’ MARKET GUIDELINES
Purpose: The Sanbornton Farmers’ Market (SFM) is a
standing committee of the Sanbornton Historical Society (SHS) that seeks to
promote the sense of community, as well as, the historical and rural character
of Sanbornton. The SFM is an association
of persons having a common interest in NH agricultural-based products who have
come together to promote that common interest and to establish and maintain the
integrity of the local market. It will
not engage in a regular business of a kind carried on for profit. All items sold at this market will be
produced locally unless otherwise approved and so identified.
Advisory Panel:
Members:
Administrator: The
Administrator oversees functioning and organization of market. He/She conducts
meetings and is the spokesperson and state/community liaison for the market;
handling paperwork that may arise and safe-keeping necessary records. Helps/oversees advisory
panel members at their new positions as needed.
Market Master: Assists with
the on-site workings of the market at the market site within market guidelines. Helps with members and customers questions or
concerns at the market. Oversees running of market area with advisory panel help as needed.
Assistant Market Master(s): Assists the
Administrator and the Market Master, as required.
Treasurer: Custodian of
the market's operating funds and membership fees. Payer of market accounts and bills (e.g.
advertising, supplies, insurance and rent when applicable). Keeps an accurate and
current record of the market’s financial activities. Prepares a monthly
financial statement for the SHS treasurer and a year end financial statement.
Gives administrator or
secretary the paid membership address information upon receipt.
Secretary: Records
minutes of all meetings and reads prior minutes of previous meeting. Helps with membership
renewals and meeting mailings.
Secretary keeps an updated membership list. Assists with calling or
contacting members as needed.
Publicity: Handles
advertising. Press & advertising
information must be accurately represented and reviewed with panel before
submitting. Helps to
organize special events and write information articles to available media
sources i.e., Laconia Citizen, Weirs Times, local radio event listings.
Member(s) at-large: A community
member(s) that is not a market vendor.
Gives insight, advice and help as needed. Attends meetings, votes, and may also help
with special market events.
Nomination of SHS Director: The
Advisory Panel will nominate a member of the Advisory Panel to the SHS
Nominating Committee to fill a director position (three year term) on the SHS
Governing Board.
Elections: Elections of
members on the advisory panel for the new season will be held in March. Nomination ballots will be handed in advance,
if needed. Any member wanting to run for
an office will be placed up for election.
Voting: The market
membership will vote advisory panel members in.
At the time the new member accepts an advisory panel position their
duties begin. Absentee voting ballots,
submitted beforehand, will be allowed for members upon their request, if they
are unable to attend the meetings. Each
member is allowed one vote. Secret
ballots will be allowed when requested by the majority. Decisions will be made on a majority rule
basis.
Terms: Each advisory panel member will
serve a yearly term, but not more than two years, unless there is no willing
replacement. At the end of their term,
each advisory panel member will assist their replacement in the transition to
the position. For the benefit of all
members, the advisory panel, may on a yearly basis, prior to the first voting
meeting, review the records of the treasurer.
Meetings: Organizational
meetings of the advisory panel and/or general membership will be held in
February through May (the first Sunday at
Membership:
Member Types: The SFM provides for the following members:
Producers: Vendors who
meet the saleable products definition. At least ¾ of
the vendors shall comply with the saleable products definition.
Saleable
Products Definition:
NH agricultural-based products only will
be sold with exceptions if needed.
Produce and items below must be grown/made
locally by the market member or a member of their family. Agricultural crafts; baked goods; dairy,
fish, meat, poultry, and seafood products; eggs; fiber goods & crafts;
flowers; fruits & berries; herbs; honey; jams & jellies; potted plants;
processed foods; seeds; syrup; vegetables; and wood crafts & products are
all acceptable. In addition, small
livestock and fowl may be sold. At least
50% of a member’s produce must meet the saleable products definition.
Members who wish to sell produce, other
than their own, grown by a commercial, agricultural, business establishment and
this produce is not already offered, need to ask for an "approval of the
product" by a ¾ vote of the advisory panel, beforehand. The member can then sell the product as long
as its place of origin is properly identified by signage.
Crafters: Vendors, who
do not meet the saleable products definition, will be allowed provided their products
1) are made locally by the vendor or a member of their family, 2) are juried by
the advisory panel and 3) do not substantially conflict with or duplicate
existing market members’ products.
Sanbornton
Non-profit Organizations: Vendors who do not meet the saleable products
definition, may be allowed provided their products 1) are juried by the
advisory panel and 2) do not substantially conflict with or duplicate existing
market members’ products. These
organizations must be based in Sanbornton and demonstrate that they provide a
community-wide service. These members
must meet all membership requirements, fees, responsibilities, etc, and will be
entitled to full member benefits. This type
of membership will not carry forward from year to year.
Weekly
Non-profit Organizations: The SFM will
provide for at least one non-profit organization to have a free space per
week. This space will be rotated weekly
among the non-profits who have requested use of the space. Non-profits may provide information on their
organization and may sell items provided products 1) are juried by the advisory
panel and 2) do not substantially conflict with or duplicate existing market
members’ products. Use of the rotating
space will be free of charge. Weekly
non-profit organizations may come from outside of Sanbornton.
Requirements: All SFM
members and vendors shall be adults (at least 18 years old) and shall become members
of the SHS. Membership is limited to the
space available at the market Site. A
waiting list will be established for others seeking membership after those
limits have been met. Prospective
members will submit an application for subsequent approval by the advisory
panel. The members of the 2001 market
are hereby designated as charter members and have first right of refusal on any
subsequent year as long as they remain a member in good standing.
Fees: Fees are due and payable by the
first market meeting in May or upon joining the SFM for new vendors. Membership
fees will be based on the proposed yearly seasonal budget developed by the
advisory panel. Membership fee changes
must be approved by 2/3 majority vote.
Responsibilities:
Each
member/vendor, upon payment of the annual vendor/member fees, agrees to comply
with these guidelines.
Each
member/vendor is responsible for complying with
Vendors
may “employ” workers under the age of 18; however, underage workers, left alone
at the market, must have NH working papers.
Each
member/vendor is responsible for being at the market on time and setting up
before it opens. To avoid safety
problems involving vendors' vehicles and gathering customers, vendors are
advised to arrive for set up no later than 2:45 PM. Those arriving later may be relocated for
that day. No sales will occur prior
Each
member will be responsible for providing his or her own display and removal of
trash. The area must be left clean and
neat at market day’s end. All guidelines
apply to anyone attending your area.
The
EZ-Up Express II canopy (or equivalent) is strongly recommended for use at the
SFM. Members using canopies or tents, with multiple frame parts and
separate covers, will ensure they have designated help setting up their canopy
or tent. All members will ensure their
canopies and tents are secured with weights, stakes or bungee cords to prevent
wind damage. Weights, stakes or bungee
cords will not result in a tripping hazard to customers or market members.
Pricing:
Vendors
are encouraged to price their produce at fair market value. Customers come to
the SFM market for the freshest and highest quality produce--they do not come
for a "discount market". Pricing should reflect the quality of the
vendors’ products. Vendors are urged to
consult the NHDAMF Market Bulletin for produce pricing guidance.
Prices
will be prominently displayed. Where
possible, each produce item will be priced individually.
Revocation: Failure to
comply with these guidelines may result in revocation of market privileges and
forfeiture of any fees, upon a vote of three-quarters of the advisory panel at
any special or regular meeting prior to which notice of the proposed revocation
has been provided.
Operations:
Event Dates: Normally, the
market opening will be the 3rd Friday in June and closing will be the last
Friday in September. The annual market
meeting to be held the 2nd Saturday after closing - unless otherwise specified
and voted on.
Hours: The market will be open on
Fridays from
*These guidelines can be
revised by the voting majority.