Market Vendor Guidelines

The Market Manager will assist vendors needing more information, links, applications etc.
A producer-only farmer vendor is described as someone who is responsible for both planting and harvesting the produce, regardless of whether they own the property. The grower is responsible for the produce sold at the market. Marketers need to be the producer or work for the producer. The Market management reserves the right to conduct on-site inspections of vendor’s property, which must be located within a 100-mile radius of the Market.
No supplemented produce will be allowed, you can only sell what comes from your farm. Any items bought from a wholesaler, retail establishment or any other grower will not be allowed for re-sale. Exceptions MUST be discussed with AND approved by the manager and/or vendor partners prior to market. Cheating may result in expulsion.
  • Any vendor selling products by weight must have a legal for-trade scale approved by Missouri Weights and Measures.
  • The vendor is responsible for setting their own prices, respecting other prices, and displaying them clearly for the customers.
  • Produce offered for sale must be free from all harmful pesticide residue, and any applications must have been made according to manufacturer’s directions.
  • All food items must be free from insects and spoilage. (#2 produce must be labelled as such)
  • It is the vendor’s responsibility to know and to be in compliance with St. Louis County Health Department Missouri Department of Agriculture, FDA, USDA and MO Ag Weights and Measures requirements on all items that the vendor is selling at the market.
Products allowed but not limited to: 
  • Vegetables and fruits
  • Flowers fresh and dried from your fresh flowers
  • Herbs fresh and dried
  • Eggs (must be kept in a cooler at 41 degrees or below) and vendor must have a current egg license on file
  • Honey, grains and nuts
  • Birdseed you grow, including sunflower seeds
  • Meat from livestock you raise. Must be processed by a USDA processor or a state inspected processor and must display proof of USDA or State inspection product label. All items must be kept at an appropriate temperature.
  • Bedding plants, houseplants, seedlings and saplings that you grow.
  • Ornamentals, such as gourds, ornamental corn, dried grasses and mini pumpkins.
Mushrooms: The sale of morels will only be allowed during the months of May and June by contracted vendors. All vendors in this category must have a letter from a mycology expert stating that the vendor is qualified to safely identify edible species of wild mushrooms. All vendors must have a sign posted, in plain sight, stating that mushrooms have been inspected.
Farmer Homemade Baked Goods/Packaged Food: Per St. Louis County Health Department regulations, selling products prepared at home is prohibited. Food products must be manufactured completely by the vendor. All prepared foods must be prepared, packaged, labeled with ingredients and stored in a health department inspected and approved facility. Please keep a copy of your inspection, licenses and permits at the market booth.
Products allowed but not limited to: 
  • Baked goods
  • Jams and jellies – water processed only, no paraffin-topped.
Dry mixes and bulk spices must include a label with name, name of producer, and address. A placard must state that product has not been inspected and must be kept refrigerated after opening.
Labels must be on all baked goods, packaged and prepared foods, jars:
  • Common/usual name of product
  • Name and address of the vendor/producer
  • Net weight contents of package
  • Individually wrapped
  • List of all ingredients
Small Food Oriented Businesses - The owner must be the vendor. The owner must provide the Market Manager with a description of the business and what will be sold. Items not allowed for sale in this category:
  • Anything you did not make yourself
  • Anything you are selling on consignment or have purchased wholesale
  • Anything commercially produced
Preference is given to business’ that utilize locally grown products and manufacturers.

Tents - All vendors are required to set up a tent at the market. The maximum size of the tent is 10'x10' unless approved by the Market Manager. Adequate tent weights are also required to secure your tent. If side curtains are used, you will need to account for the extra windage when calculating the size tent weights needed.

Not--for-profit - A not-for-profit organization may lease space on an “as available” basis only, free of charge. These spaces are to be used for the purpose of promoting awareness of the organization's objectives. It may be necessary for the organization to provide informational literature or proof of its not-for-profit status to determine appropriate placement for the day. Every organization must check in with the Market Manager. An organization not receiving permission prior to set-up will be asked to leave The Market. No soliciting, receiving of donations or selling of materials is allowed in this category. Not-for-profit organizations requesting to sell items made or grown by the group, homemade baked goods or packaged foods must comply with all outlined requirements and applications for the appropriate category and are subject to the health department guidelines associated with that particular category. To distribute literature, register individuals, or take a survey, the vendor must have permission from the Market Manager prior to set-up. Any group or individual engaged in this type of activity without prior approval will be asked to leave The Market immediately. No soliciting, receiving of donations is allowed in this category. No political or religious groups, or groups with political or religious affiliations, will be permitted to have a space in the market.