RAIN OR SHINE:

All Little Italy Mercato farmers markets and events are open rain or shine. All vendors are required to use tent weights and ensure canopies and umbrellas are secured with a minimum weight of 25 pounds per leg, EVERY market day - regardless of the weather. Weather is never an approved reason for calling out of a reserved space or leaving a market early. (See: Attendance.) The Market Manager may, at her sole discretion, cancel or close a market due to extreme weather conditions, but we have seldom closed any market to date.

VEHICLES:

All moving vehicles must be off the market site no less than 30 minutes prior to market opening. Vehicles may enter 15 minutes after market closing or when - in the opinion of the Market Staff - pedestrian traffic has substantially cleared. Moving a vehicle within the barricaded area of an open market creates a serious safety hazard and is grounds for immediate cancellation of all reservations.

SET UP & BREAK DOWN:

All farmers and vendors must be fully set up at market opening time, signs up, and inventory on display. Booths must stay fully set up, until market closing time, so that every shopper has the full market experience. Late setup or early breakdown adversely affects all vendors and the market as a whole, and may result in the cancelation of recurring reservations. All booths should be staffed throughout the market, open to close, so shoppers are not frustrated. Vendors are never excused from the market early, all vendors must participate for full opening hours.

MARKET MANNERS:

A professional attitude of respect for the market, shoppers, market staff, and fellow farmers and vendors is required. Disrespectful comments or behavior will not be tolerated. Any conflicts should be brought to Market Management's attention for resolution. Booth staff should remain within booth space, not in aisles. No live animals may be kept onsite (see Market Manager regarding service animals). No smoking or vaping within the boundaries of the market or behind booth spaces.

PRODUCTS:

Only items listed on the original application and approved by Market Manager may be sold at the market. Requests to add items not on the approved application should be submitted via email to vendor@sandiegomarkets.com and must be approved via email before products are brought to the market. Be sure all of your team are familiar with sampling protocols. No self-service sampling.

INVENTORY & APPEARANCE:

Supply enough inventory to stock booths open to close. Booths should be clean and attractive, staff should be standing or sitting in a lifted chair and making eye contact with shoppers. Staff should be available in their booth at all times with the exception of quick bio-breaks.

Signage and labeling, including the name and location of the business, as required by the Health Dept, AG Dept, and Market Rules shall be followed. Keep hands clean and food safe. Keep displays within the allotted 10X10 Booth Space and do not extend into adjacent booths or aisles. Vendors haul away ALL their own trash. Leaving trash behind in or near market receptacles may result in suspension from the market.

RESERVATIONS & CANCELATIONS:

Space reservations are week to week. There are no ‘permanent’ farmers or vendors, but consistent reservations renew automatically weekly unless canceled. Farmers and vendors with consistent reservations are assumed to be participating open to close unless they notify us 72 hours (3 days) prior to Market Start Time by emailing vendor@sandiegomarkets.com. Reservation changes must be emailed, verbal comments to on-site staff are not valid notice. Reservations canceled less than 72 hours prior to start time typically do not allow time for a substitute to prepare, and the farmer or vendor will be charged the fee for the missed market.

ATTENDANCE & NOTICE:

Excessive absences may result in the cancellation of space reservations. Vendors frequently absent may be transitioned to an alternating week schedule or substitute vendor status. To remain in good standing with the markets and eligible to reapply, a minimum of two weeks' notice is required when leaving any market for an extended period of time.

FEES:

Booth space fee, marketing fee, and legally mandated CDFA fee are invoiced and due by 12 p.m. the day before the market since our flat fees are predictable, and we do not charge a percentage of sales. Failure to pay the fee when due will result in a $15 late fee, cancellation of the reservation, or the requirement of an advance monthly deposit. Set up auto-pay to avoid issues. Fees guarantee the reservation and are non-refundable.

Fees are determined by specific categories and are subject to change. Changes will only occur with offering expansions (changing your category) or infrequent periodic reviews and general small increases for participants based on market overhead costs.

EBT, MARKET MATCH, AND MARKET MONEY

All farmers and vendors are responsible for knowing how to accept EBT, Market Match, and Market Money. Additional printed sheets with this information can be provided when requested. ALL farmers and vendors MUST accept Market Money (business card-sized gift cards) and treat it as cash. EBT and Market Match are determined by the items sold. Acceptance of non-approved currency is the responsibility of the farmer or vendor. Any attempt to trade or sell EBT or Market Match accepted by mistake will result in immediate suspension or expulsion from the market. This is a federal program with strict rules.

PERMITS & INSPECTIONS:

Farmers and Vendors are responsible for supplying San Diego Markets with copies of current documents, including renewals. Farmers must have embossed AG certs, organic cert, and CA registration if applicable, and food vendors must have original TFFP, and/or CFO, if applicable, on-site at all times. Current General Liability insurance certs with endorsements naming Little Italy Association, San Diego Markets, and the City of San Diego as Additional Insured must be submitted to SDM prior to participation and kept current. Vendors who cook in their booth or have a generator must have an approved fire extinguisher on-site at every market. Vendors and farmers must cooperate with regulatory agencies and market staff during periodic inspections.

All information and documents will now be required for submittal through the MarketWurks system.