Vendors:

Products:

Fruit/produce/plants: The Sumter Farmers market prefers that all produce sold be grown by the farmer.  However at this time, the Market will require that farmers grow at least 70% of the produce they sell. No more than 30 % of a farmer's produce can be resold from outside sources.  If the farmer is reselling any produce, they must disclose where the produce was grown and purchased.  Misleading the customer on product origin will be grounds for vendor dismissal without refund.

Preference will be given to verified local farmers over resellers. Certified South Carolina grown/products are preferred.  

Food items: Food items that are made on/off site are allowed if appropriate permits are obtained by the vendor and DHEC procedures are followed. It is the responsibility of the vendor to ensure that he/she is in compliance. Pre-made food/baked goods must be homemade by the vendor (not store-bought) and in compliance with DHEC. Home based food items must meet the SC Cottage Food Law. 

All other food vendors must operate out of a DHEC approved facility. It is the vendor’s responsibility to ensure that he/she is compliant and has a letter of proof from DHEC. Food Trucks must use quiet generators where possible, or muffle the sound.

All food vendors (including cottage law vendors) must provide proof of liability insurance.

Vendors can use the insurance company of their choice. Here are 2 options:

www.fliprogram.com    

www.thimble.com

Arts/Crafts:  Art and craft items are preferred to be made by the vendor. 

Animal Products:  (example: meat, dairy, eggs).  No live animal sales will be allowed without market manager approval. Any vendor selling animal products must practice humane animal husbandry. A SC Egg Handlers License is required for anyone selling eggs.

Contraband: No imported, franchised, commercially manufactured products or second hand items are allowed. No items that are:  controversial, displaying profanity, or promoting illegal activity will be allowed.  The Sumter Farmers Market is a family oriented market and any items deemed offensive by the market manager will not be allowed.  

Licenses and Permits:

It is the responsibility of the vendor to research and comply with all federal, state, and local regulations governing the sale of their items. 

As required, licenses or permits shall be available for inspection. 

If selling livestock and livestock products (meat, dairy, fish, eggs, cheese and products made from such) for human consumption, vendors must be able to furnish proof of compliance with all appropriate regulations and proof of their product liability insurance.

Signs:

Tents: 

Late Arrivals/leaving early:

Vendors must notify the market manager in advance if they are unable to attend the market for any reason.  This is to allow for ease of vendor placement. Vendors must be set up and ready for business by 11:45 a.m.

Late arrivals are strongly discouraged. In the event of a delay, please notify the market manager as soon as possible so unloading can be arranged without compromising the safety of vendors and customers.

Leaving prior to 5 p.m. must have prior approval from the market manager. One vendor leaving early affects safety, confuses the customers, causes other vendors to follow suit which disrupts the market.

Setup/breakdown:

 For better traffic flow and safety, please unload in the market area, then park your vehicle before setting up.

After the market, pack up, before bringing your vehicle in to load up.  If you need assistance with unloading/loading, please ask the market manager.

Please be courteous to your fellow vendors and respect the market hours. Don’t arrive late or leave early! If you are sold out, visit with customers, take pre-orders, promote your product and the market. Shop with your fellow vendors.

Vendors should leave spaces clean and any trash picked up and disposed of at the end of the market.

Conduct:

USC Sumter is a smoke free campus. No smoking or vaping is allowed. Vendors must step off the property to the sidewalk on Miller Road or University Drive to smoke or vape.  

No alcohol or illegal drugs are allowed.  

All Vendors and their help must maintain a clean appearance that meets health standards.  No clothing that displays profanity, controversial, vulgar or illegal slogans or logos.  Vendors may be asked to change any inappropriate attire at the discretion of the market manager. 

No solicitation is authorized.

Vendors who defame the Sumter Farmers Market will have their privileges removed. Violators will not be allowed back.

No discrimination against race, color, creed, sex, or religion is tolerated. Violators will be removed.

Hold Harmless Clause: 

I HEREBY AGREE TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS THE SUMTER FARMERS MARKET, ITS EMPLOYEES, 

OFFICERS, AGENTS AND/OR CONTRACTORS FOR AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL DAMAGES, LOSSES, SUITS, LIABILITY AND/OR CAUSES OF ACTION RESULTING FROM PROPERTY DAMAGE, AND/OR FROM PERSONAL INJURY, INCLUDING DEATH, OF MYSELF ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OUR PARTICIPATION IN THE SUMTER FARMERS MARKET, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH DAMAGE OR INJURY IS CAUSED BY THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF THE SUMTER FARMERS MARKET, AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE OR TAKE ACTION AGAINST THE COOPERATIVE, ITS EMPLOYEES, OFFICERS, AGENTS AND/OR CONTRACTORS EXCEPT AS SET OUT HEREIN. I FURTHER PERMIT THE SUMTER FARMERS MARKET TO USE PHOTOGRAPHS OF ME FOR MARKET PUBLICITY.

ALL VENDORS PARTICIPATING IN THE SUMTER FARMERS MARKET MUST ABIDE BY THESE RULES. THE SUMTER FARMERS MARKET OR ITS REGISTERED AGENT SHALL ENFORCE ALL RULES AND REGULATIONS AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO UPDATE AND/OR CHANGE THE GUIDELINES AND RULES AT ANY TIME DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY THE SUMTER FARMERS MARKET. PERMITS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MARKET CAN BE REVOKED BY THE MARKET.