ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, GENERAL INFORMATION & RULES

The Mexico Town and Village Farmers’ Market will operate every Wednesday from 4-8PM from July 2nd to August 27th for the 2025 season. The Market will operate rain or shine - there will not be rain dates. Vendor set up begins at 3PM.  All vendors are asked to be completely set up by 4PM and remain fully operational for the duration of the Market.

Individuals wishing to participate in the Mexico Town and Village Farmers’ Market must submit the following:

·       Completed application on Google forms or print and return the form by mailing to Town of Mexico, PO Box 98, Mexico, NY  13114 or  email to: asc@mexicony.org

·       Required payments (pay by check or Credit Card)

·       Copy of business tax certificate (Certificate of Authority or Tax ID/EIN #)

·       Proof of insurance (You must add Town of Mexico and Mexico Academy and Central School District)

·       Permits and/or Licenses required by New York State and/or Oswego County (located at the end of this document)

·       Pictures of products & logo image (please email product images and your logo image to: Acs@mexicony.org)

APPLICATIONS WITHOUT THE PROPER DOCUMENTATION ATTACHED WILL BE DENIED.

Accepted vendors will be notified by email when their application process is complete.

Participants in the Mexico Town and Village Farmers’ Market must meet the eligibility requirements established in order to participate and, if accepted, are to comply with the rules of the Market. All fees must be paid according to the fee schedule. Vendors MUST submit payment by the time noted on this application or their spot will be forfeited. No exceptions.

All products/produce to be sold must be listed on the application whether a vendor is new or established. Only those items that are listed and/or approved on the application will be allowed to be sold.

 Photographs of craft items to be sold are required with the application of the vendor.

 If a vendor wishes to sell under another category in addition to the one originally applied for, we must be notified for review prior to selling goods from the new category. If a vendor wishes to sell item(s) which were not included on their original application, the Mexico Town and Village Farmers’ Market coordinators must approve the addition before the product can be added. We will be working to avoid overlap across vendors as well as to ensure quality control of products being sold.

Applicants may sell farm products, plants, flowers, prepared foods, home baked goods and articles of a handmade variety normally classified as arts and agricultural crafts. All vendors must grow or make (with Agricultural supplies) at least 85% by volume of their products offered for sale at any time. If your products are not 85% homegrown, homemade or agricultural value added  (this includes baked goods) participation will not be allowed. The Mexico Town and Village Farmers’ Market will determine eligibility of all products to be sold at the Market. The Mexico Town and Village Farmers’ Market has final authority concerning eligibility of all vendors and their products. All decisions rendered by The Mexico Town and Village Farmers’ Market are final. In order to participate in the market, written approval must be received.

Certificate of Liability Insurance is a REQUIREMENT OF ALL VENDORS including Not-For-Profits, craft, dealers & farmers. This requirement needs to be completed every year.

You must name the following as additional insured/ Loss Payee:

Town of Mexico

64 South Jefferson St.

Mexico NY 13114

and 

Mexico Academy and Central School

16 Fravor Road

Mexico, NY  13114

All vendors must carry a liability insurance policy, regardless of product, at a minimum amount of one million dollars.

Event Insurance can often be added onto existing business insurance.

Vendor Rates

Seasonal Single Stall (9 markets total) $100

Pop Up Single Stall $15 per market

Vendor fees are due in full by June 1st for seasonal stands and no refunds will be given for missed markets. Please ensure your application has been accepted before sending payment. Please make checks payable to Town of Mexico with Farmer’s Market in the memo line or payment can be made by CC, email Asc@mexicony.orgfor more information

All regular table vendors have the same fee (farmer, crafter, food, not-for-profit that are selling items)

RULES & REGULATIONS

The Mexico Town and Village Farmers’ Market is a community service to enhance communication regarding the importance of Agricultural, Farmlands, food systems and natural resources throughout our community. No religious or political products or views will be allowed.

We have the privilege of using this facility, please be respectful to all staff and volunteers.

·      No Sales or consumption of alcoholic beverages

       No CBD products

·      No flashing lights, music, bullhorns, or profanity of any kind.

·      No dumping of waste or liquids on the ground.

·      No Sale of tobacco products, weapons or drug paraphernalia.

·      No personal utility gators or golf carts 

·      No religion or politics.

·      Youth must have adult supervision

·      Any artificial plants, draperies, etc shall be flame proof or fire resistant

Rules and regulations are subject to change without advance notice. The Market Manager reserves the right of issuance and or denial of all permits and to limit those participating in the Mexico Town and Village Farmers’ Market as a vendor.

Designated Farmers’ Market vendor set up is between 3PM - 4PM. If a vendor is not set up and ready to sell by 4PM, the space will become available and may be reassigned by the market manager unless prior arrangements have been made between the vendor and the market manager.

There is no parking or driving on the grass or blocking gates/roadways.

 Any vendor exhibiting unprofessional or inappropriate behavior directed at the public, market vendors, or market staff, may, at the sole discretion of the market coordinators, have their contract terminated immediately without compensation. This includes derogatory and disrespectful remarks made to/about other vendors, customers or market staff. There will be no arguing between vendors or with market staff during market hours. If there is a complaint, it should be brought to the attention of market coordinators, in a professional manner. All complaints and questions will be handled by market coordinators outside of market hours.

 Vendors are required to bring their own tables, chairs and tents and CANNOT exceed roughly their 10x10 space unless previously discussed with the market coordinators. Vehicles need to be unhitched from food trucks/trailers unless double stall. All vendors are responsible for the clean up of their area, this is a carry in carry out facility. 

Vendors should give assistance in cleaning up the facility.

No weapons are allowed on site.

Smoking & vaping is not allowed on the premises.

All vendors are responsible for securing and maintaining any and all required certificates, permits, and/or licenses. All vendors must abide by all applicable federal, state & local business, tax and health regulations. Vendors will be responsible for obtaining and paying for any permits and licenses required by Oswego County & New York State. Vendors must comply with the regulations pertaining to harvesting, food preparation & safety and clear labeling of products. Copies of all permits, certificates & licenses must be included (emailed) when applying to become a vendor. Vendors without all required permits, certificates and licenses will be denied.

 If selling taxable items, all vendors must have a CURRENT New York State Tax Certificate displayed in a prominent position at their booth during Market hours.

Weekly vendors must notify Market staff immediately upon their arrival to receive their booth location assignment.

 Seasonal single stall vendors must notify the market coordinators in the event that they are unable to participate on any given week. Vendors should notify and make arrangements if they are expected to arrive late. If the market manager has not been notified by 3PM on the day of the Market, the vendor may forfeit their location on that date. After 3 absences, the nonrotating vendor is at risk of forfeiting his/her spot for the remainder of the season, and no refund will be issued.

To notify market coordinators of an attendance issue, please email: ACS@MexicoNY,org

All vendors must remain within their assigned space, unless approved by the market coordinator. Market coordinators retain the right to change a vendor location without notice. This includes Food Trucks, they will be located at the Market Managers discretion.

All licensed food vendors and vendors selling food must hold product liability insurance. This applies to any and all individuals, civic groups or organizations applying for permission to sell or information tables at the market.

All licensed food vendors must hold a certificate from the NYS Health Department. Please attach

A copy of the certificate with your application.

Leashed & well-mannered pets are allowed at the market. If your pet creates an issue, you will be required to leave the premises immediately and that pet will not be allowed back for the season. No animals are allowed to be brought to the market for sale or to be given away due to USDA and Market regulations. The display of any type of animal(s) is not permitted.

Vendor booths must be attended to at all times during market hours (4-8PM.)

Each vendor will be required to post signage providing the name of the vendor or business and where they are located. These signs should be visibly posted but may not block walkways.

Participants are expected to keep their area clean during the Market and remove all trash and debris upon departure. This is a carry-in, carry-out Market.

All lost and found items are to be given to a market representative at the “Market Welcome Booth” upon discovery.

Children brought to the market must be supervised at all times.

Pricing of merchandise is entirely at the discretion of the seller/vendor.

Each booth must be run and occupied by a sole vendor. Shared booths are not permitted.

Any violation of the aforementioned rules will be brought to the attention of the vendor by a market representative. The vendor will be given an opportunity to immediately correct the issue. If the violation persists, a letter of warning will be emailed to the vendor. If the issue is not resolved in a timely manner as deemed appropriate by the Market Manager, the vendor's application may be revoked, and he/she may be denied the right to participate in future Market events.

No refunds will be distributed by the Mexico Town and Village Farmers’ Market for inclement weather, missed days, changed vendor spot/location or time.

Not-For-Profits are not allowed to offer ANY items for sale at the Market, including but not limited to baked items and crafts when they are there to provide a service/event in trade for booth space. If the not-for-profit is paying the regular booth fee, approved products may be sold.

MEDIA RELEASE

Subject: Mexico Town and Village Farmers’ Market

Location: Mexico High School

I grant to The Mexico Town and Village Farmers’ Market and its relationship to the promotions of the Mexico Town and Village Farmers’ Market to take photographs of me and my property in connection with the above-identified subject. I authorize The Mexico Town and Village Farmers’ Market, its assigns and transferees to copyright, use and publish pictures in print and/or electronically. I agree that The Mexico Town and Village Farmers’ Market may use such photographs of me with or without my name and for any lawful purpose, including for example such purposes as publicity, illustration, advertising, and Web content.

HOLD HARMLESS ARGEEMENT

The Mexico Town and Village Farmers’ Market, their agents, officers or employees shall not be liable for property damage or personal injury to the exhibitor, his/her agents, officers, or employees, which may occur on or about any part of the subject premises regardless of how such injury or damage may occur. Exhibitors waive any claim against the Mexico Town and Village Farmers’ Market and assume all liabilities for loss or damage to exhibitor’s property entrusted to the premises. Exhibitors shall hold the Mexico Town and Village Farmers’ Market and the Mexico Town and Village harmless and shall indemnify the Mexico Town and Village Farmers’ Market against all liability or expenses arising out of any claim of injury or damage to any person or property, together with all cost in connection with the defense thereto.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RULES, REGULATIONS & REGUIREMENTS

I have read and agree to abide by all of the rules, regulations and requirements of the Mexico Town and Village Farmers’ Market as outlined in the Application. I understand that any violation of the rules may result in my inability to participate in future Market events. I understand that submitting my completed digital application (Vendor Application via Google Forms) is the same as signing this document.

Signature required at the end of this document.

 Any issues or concerns should be brought to the attention of a Market Coordinator or the Market Manager as soon as possible.  Or you may send it to ASC@MEXICONY.ORG

NYS Regulations/Rules/Permits Required for Products

Nursery Products: A vendor selling any live nursery products/plants must hold a current Nursery Registration Certificate for on-site operation from a vehicle. Please attach a copy of the license with your application. *No wild (not planted by vendor) grown items are allowed to be sold.

Dealers are resellers of farm products.

A limited number of produce/plant dealers will be allowed in the Market.
Dealers must include a copy of the DBA certificate and the sales tax # with this application. Dealers may not be eligible to participate in the NYS Agriculture and Markets, Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP or WIC).

Producers are vendors who grow or produce 85% of their farm products at their table.

All producers must submit a crop plan for inspection by the Farmers’ Market Coordinator, regardless of their participation in Farm FMNP). Any producer who fails to do so will be deemed as non-compliant and will be asked to leave the market immediately. This is our only means to ensure the items a vendor is bringing to market are actually grown by that vendor.

All Crop Plans must include a list of all fruits and vegetables you plan to sell at the market. Varieties need not be listed, but a distinction should be made between sweet and hot peppers, summer and winter squash, leaf and head lettuce.
Produce Farmers must provide their stamp number with the application.

If production land is on leased or rented property, a copy of the lease/rental agreement must be provided with the Crop Plan. No sharecropping is permitted.

Fresh Produce: No permits, licenses or certificates required, if raw, uncut, and unprocessed.

Plant Sales: Only one nursery license is required and must be posted in public view at the time of sale. NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets Nursery Growers License, if engaged in the production of plant material intended for sale. A nursery grower is also permitted to purchase and resell plant material under this same license. NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets Nursery Dealers License, if purchasing and reselling plant material only and the vendor is not involved in any growing of potted plant material. Valid NYS Sales Tax Certificate.

Eggs: No permits, licenses or certificates required, for cleaned shell eggs maintained at 45 degrees F or less. Eggs must be from farm owned hens (not purchased eggs).

Honey, Maple Syrup: No permits, licenses or certificates required, if single ingredient products.  Article 20C License from NYS Dept. of Agriculture & Markets, if additional ingredients are added to the products; i.e. maple mustard, maple cotton candy, etc.

Baked Goods: 20C Exemption from NYS Dept of Agriculture & Markets if home baked, non-hazardous; ie. Bread (no breads containing fruits or vegetables), rolls, cookies, cakes, brownies, fudge & double crust fruit pies. (Quick breads are considered potentially hazardous and cannot be done under 20C Exemptions.)
Article 20C License from NYS Dept. of Agriculture & Markets on all other baked products provided the business does 51% of its sales at wholesale. (Requires a separate, commercial kitchen.)
All other baked goods must come from a licensed NYS Department of Health facility.

Cider/Fruit Juice: Article 20C License from NYS Dept of Agriculture & Markets for manufacturers/bottlers. All cider and fruit juices must be pasteurized, UV treated, or high pressure treated.

Mushrooms: Cultivated mushrooms, sold whole or otherwise processed, require no license.  Cultivated mushrooms, sliced, chopped, washed and identified as ready to eat or any other processing requires an Article 20-C license.
Mushroom species picked in the wild shall be obtained from sources where each mushroom is individually inspected and found to be safe by an approved mushroom identification expert prior to sale. Consult with Cornell Small Farms Program for more information.

Processed Foods: Home Processors are eligible for an Article 20-C Exemption from NYS Dept. of Agriculture & Markets, for non-hazardous foods only, including traditional fruit jams, jellies and marmalades; candy (excluding chocolate); spices and herbs repackaging only); and snack items such as popcorn, caramel corn and peanut brittle. Information on registering as a Home Processor in New York can be found on the website, http://www.agriculture.ny.gov/FS/consumer/processor.html, or by calling one of the Regional Offices.

Article 20C License from NYS Dept of Agriculture & Markets, prepackaged and labeled in accordance with NYS Food Labeling Law: Identity of food in package form; name of manufacturer, packer or distributor; place of business; ingredient declaration in descending order of predominance by weight; and net quantity of contents.

County Board of Health Permit if processing is on-site; i.e. cutting of baked goods to be sold by the piece, slicing of cheese to be sold by the pound; cooking and selling ready-to-eat foods
Home processing of canned fruits and vegetables is not permitted. All canned fruits and vegetables must be done under 20C License and registered with the Federal government as a food processor. Article 20C License from NYS Dept. of Agriculture & Markets is required for dehydrating herbs and spices or for the blending of any spices for repackaging.

Meats: License is required if grinding or processing. License is not required for cutting.

Red Meat (Beef, lamb, goat): USDA slaughtered and/or processed must have USDA legend Article 28D License required if warehousing for wholesale Must be maintained at 0oF or below and sold frozen.

Chicken (Must be frozen): License not required to sell 250 turkeys or 1000 birds of other species. *
No license required if USDA slaughtered.
Article 28 License if warehousing for wholesale accounts.
Article 5A license required if selling over 250 turkeys or 1000 birds of other species. **250 turkeys or 1000 birds of other species processed annually.

Exotic Meat (Must be frozen):Must be slaughtered at an Article 5A licensed establishment. Article 28 License required if warehousing for wholesale accounts, if not licensed under Article 5A.

Processed Meats (Shelf stable processed meats (dry, fermented sausage) only): Article 20C license from the NYS Dept. of Agriculture & Markets.

Fish (If processed (fileted, etc.) - Must be frozen): Article 20C License from NYS Dept of Agriculture & Market if fish is pan-ready. NYS DEC hatchery permit required if selling protected freshwater species. NYS DEC permit required if re-selling any protected freshwater species.
NYS DEC Food Fish License to catch and sell marine fish. NYS DEC Food Fish and Crustacean Dealers & Shippers License to resell marine fish purchased from a licensed fisherman
No permit, license or certificate is required if a freshwater fisherman is selling only whole, non-protected species.

Dairy:

Cheese & Other Dairy Products (such as yogurt, butter, sour cream): For producers, Part II Permit, issued by the NYS Dept. of Agriculture & Markets Division of Milk Control and Dairy Services.  If cut and wrapped cheese, need Part II Permit issued by Division of Milk Control and Dairy Services unless part of a food establishment regulated by Division of Food Safety, in which case just need Article 20C License.

Milk and Fluid Milk Products (such as 2%, 1% and non-fat milk): Milk must be pasteurized.  Producers must have Part II Permit issued by Division of Milk Control and Dairy Services. Producers and distributors must have a Milk Dealers license issued by Division of Milk Control and Dairy Services unless the amount handled is less than 3000 pounds per month.

Grains and Legumes (prepackaged cannot be packed on site): No permits, licenses or certificates are required.

Fresh Cut/ Dried Flowers: Valid NYS Sales Tax Permit.

Agricultural Crafts: Valid NYS Sales Tax Permit.

Food Truck / Stand Vendors: All licensed food vendors and vendors selling food must hold product liability insurance. This applies to any and all individuals, civic groups or organizations applying for permission to sell at the market. All licensed food vendors must hold a certificate from the NYS Health Department. Please attach a copy of the certificate with your application. The number of allowed food truck vendors will be based on the needs of the Market each year.  The Market Manager will assign the location for all Food Trucks.

Baked Goods: All baked goods must be homemade. Vendors selling baked goods must obtain a 20-C (Home -3 of the NYS Ag & Markets Regulations OR a Home Processing Permit. Valid NYS Sales Tax Permit

If you have any questions about laws & regulations  please visit: https://agriculture.ny.gov/laws-regulations