Vendor Rules and Regulations 2026

Saturdays, May 23rd through October 24th (if weather permits)

1st Annual Spring Fling Festival is May 23rd

2nd Annual Fall Harvest Festival is September 19th

All markets are held on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Parking lot of Bosselman’s Corporate/The Venues located at 1607 S. Locust, Grand Island, NE in the parking lot behind Starbucks on South Locust.

www.farmersmarketgi.com

Contact Information:

Misty Schaecher, Executive Director

Alyssa Dethloff, Market Manager

Info-farmersmarketGI@bosselman.com

308-390-3494

Mailing Address: 2104 Barbara Ave., Grand Island, NE 68803

Market Physical Address: 1607 S. Locust, Grand Island, NE 68803 (This is the address to use on your insurance as a secondary insured)

MISSION

Grand Island Area Farmers Market (GIAFM) is committed to securing the future of food by deepening support for sustainable farms, educating our community, and expanding access to locally grown food, services & products.

These markets provide access to high quality, fresh food and products produced with integrity by local family farmers and producers, bringing value to the social, environmental, and economic fabric of our community.

Vendors: Please read the following information carefully before you agree to follow the Rules and Regulations as stated. Application to the market verifies that you have carefully read, understood, and agreed to all provisions of the Agreement, Rules & Regulations. This is a Living Document which may be modified as the season progresses. This document may change as needed based on guidance from the Central District Health Department, City/State/Federal entities, Bosselman Enterprises, and the Market Management team.

Product Exclusions: Vendors are not allowed to sell the following products: coffee, coffee beans, political items, and Business to Business & Pyramid type vendors will not be allowed.

NEW in 2026 – Vendors MUST list in their initial vendor application any and all types of products they are wishing to sell at the GI Area Farmers Market. Vendors must stay true to those products and may only add additional products if those products are approved by the GI Area Farmers Market Management Team.

General Requirements for Vendor Approval

1. Vendors must live and produce the product(s) for sale within Nebraska or within 200 miles of Grand Island, NE. You must be the main producer, a family member, or an employee who is directly involved in the production of the products you are offering for sale.

2. Vendors are expected to always conduct themselves with the highest levels of respect for the law, other vendors, GIAFM customers, and market management staff and volunteers. The quality of our market is a direct result of the skill and diversity of our vendors, and we hope to enhance these aspects through vendor conduct. Free market competition can and should occur respectfully, such that the quality and integrity of our market is maintained and strengthened.

3. GIAFM is a sustainable green market. A “green market” means 1) the market is predominantly a farmer/producer market and 2.) the market takes seriously the goal of being a zero-waste market as much as possible. As such, our goal is to provide a market where the percentage of farmers and farmer-processors to all other vendors is greatly exceeded.

4. Vendors must show good product knowledge and the ability to communicate with customers.

5. Insurance: All vendors must provide proof of general liability insurance policy and certificate of insurance listing Bosselman Enterprises as an additional insured. Sometimes, this sort of liability insurance is already a part of your homeowners’ insurance. You will need to reach out to your insurance agent for details on that. If you need to purchase this insurance, or get a quote, please contact Melissa Reed State Farm here in Grand Island. Nearly all our vendors in the past two seasons were able to get this coverage easily through her team. It is normally around $20 per month; however, it is based on how much you think you will sell at the market.

6. Products must be in compliance with all of the following that apply to your business: Locally produced; verification of processing in a licensed facility; verification of FDA and/or USDA approved meat and poultry inspection and processing; Central District Health Department permit for home baking; State Department of Agriculture Weights and Measures Requirements; Nebraska Nursery License; and adherence to the Grand Island Area Farmers Market 2025 Rules and Regulations.

7. Product Safety – Vendors are responsible for ensuring their products are produced, stored, transported, and sold in compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations.

8. Vendors are responsible for: obtaining permits, licenses, a sales tax number and general liability insurance. All vendors selling taxable products (cut flowers, non-edible plants, etc.) are responsible for collecting, reporting, and paying the sales tax. Prominently post all permits and have your tax number in your booth. It is the vendor’s responsibility to carry property and product liability insurance for off-farm and outside home sales for a minimum of one million dollars. The health department, sales tax, permits, etc. information is the vendor’s responsibility, and the market is not involved in that nor does the market itself need copies. The market does need a copy of your liability insurance prior to attending the market. Bosselman Enterprises and the address listed above will need to be listed as the secondary location on your insurance.

9. The vendor application must be submitted fully complete. Your application verifies that you have carefully read, understood and agreed to all provisions of the Grand Island Farmers Market’s Rules and Regulations.

10. Pricing: Vendors are generally free to set their own prices and to decide whether and how much prices need to be adjusted between the opening of the Market Day and the close of Market Day. However, it is strongly discouraged the practice of “dumping” goods. Dumping is disrespectful to other vendors, unsustainable to the market in general, and is contrary to appropriate Vendor Conduct. It is generally a good rule of thumb to visit other vendors who sell similar products so that you are pricing comparable to each other. However, if your products’ ingredients/quality is higher or lower, etc.… those adjustments should be made by you as a vendor.

Attendance and Set-Up Policies

1. Set-Up Time: Vendors should arrive between 6:00 a.m.-7:15 a.m. Vendors must be in their stalls no later than 7:30 a.m. with their cars removed from the area and ready to sell by 7:30 a.m. Stall spaces not occupied 30 minutes prior to opening may be reassigned to another vendor. Your stall must remain up the entire duration of the market, EVEN IF YOU SELL OUT OF YOUR PRODUCT. You cannot remove your vendor stand from the market until 12:00 p.m. You can put up a sign indicating that you have sold out which will give you the opportunity to walk around the market, etc. Please tear down courteously so as not to cause concern to any lingering customers. **Exceptions can be made if the Market Management is notified of an emergency and proper precautions can be taken for safe tear-down. ABSOLUTELY NO VEHICLES (unless you are selling from them) ARE ALLOWED IN THE MARKET FROM 7:30 A.M.-12:00 P.M. EACH WEEK.

2. The Market officially starts at 8:00 a.m. Vendors are not allowed to sell before the opening whistle at 8:00 a.m. At 12:00 p.m. the close of market whistle will be blown.

3. You must notify the Market Management if you are unable to attend the market on any day that you had reserved to be there. There are no refunds. Vendors should attempt to give a minimum of 1 week notice if they are unable to attend; however, we understand that emergencies may arise. This does not apply to inclement weather or emergencies.

4. Vendors with additional vehicles/trailers that WILL BE USED during Market will have their own stall assigned for that day and time.

5. It is your discretion to attend in case of inclement weather. There are no refunds or rollovers if the market is in operation on a day you had selected to attend and you decide not to attend. If there is a storm or heat warning issued by the National Weather Service for Grand Island during the hours of the market, the market will close at the discretion of Market Management. If the Market Management decides to cancel a market, there will be no refunds. A weekly vendor can request a roll-over date in these instances.

6. Photography & Promotion – the market may photograph or record vendors and booths for promotional purposes. Please notify Market Management if you have concerns.

7. Power & Equipment – Vendors provide their own power. Generators or amplified sound require prior approval and should not disrupt neighboring booths.

8. Lost & Found/Personal Property – Vendors are responsible for their own equipment and belongings. The market is not responsible for lost or damaged goods. If a customer leaves an item at your booth, please bring to the market management tent so that we can attempt to find the owner.

9. Emergency Procedures – In case of emergency, please follow instructions from Market Management or emergency personnel.

Stall Assignment, Size and Guarantee

1. Stall type and placement within the market is determined by the needs of the market and your need for space.

2. Stall sizes for full season vendors are Single (a single parking stall) (10’ by 20’); Double (two parking stalls) (20’ by 20’), Triple (three parking stalls) (30’ by 30’). Vendors are required to stay within the assigned stall space. This includes displays, signage, etc. All cars need to be moved from market space prior to the start of the market. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT ALL VENDORS STAY IN THEIR PURCHASED STALL AND NOT EXTEND OUT PAST THEIR ALLOTTED SPACE.

3. ALL vendors are NOT guaranteed to be in the same location for all of the weeks you attend. The Market Management team will endeavor to place all Vendors in a stall location that fits your needs and the needs of the market.

4. If a paid Full Season or Weekly Vendor has a scheduled absence from the market on any given market day, the market has the right to use the stall(s) for another vendor(s) on that day. No subletting of stalls will be allowed. It is the vendor’s responsibility to notify management of attendance if previously scheduled to be absent at least one week before the market date.

5. There are ebbs and flows during the market season as far as vendor attendance goes. All vendors MUST be flexible, courteous & respectful to market management at all times when these changes occur. We are volunteers who do our best to make the market work to the best of our ability.

Display Requirements

1. Post all required permits prominently. If you are not for sure what permits or licensing you may require, please contact the Central District Health Department or City Hall here in Grand Island for direction.

2. Packaging of all prepackaged and packed-at-market produce must be with NEW food grade paper or plastic bags or plastic food wrap. Trash, garbage, or leaf bags cannot be used for produce or other foodstuffs at any time.

3. It is the vendor’s responsibility to bring all tables, chairs, shade devices, power sources and cords, display equipment, hand washing station, cash box and cash, signage, etc.

4. All products should be displayed on well-constructed, well-maintained, and clean tables. Produce should be clean and attractive.

5. Vendors are responsible for keeping their area clean and safe during and after the market.

6. Absolutely NO SMOKING or vaping during the market or within a 40-foot area surrounding.

7. Absolutely NO POLITICAL ITEMS are allowed at the market per our lease with Bosselman Enterprises.

8. Vendors are encouraged to engage in barter and trading between other vendors. This is also an amazing way to meet other vendors and create lasting relationships.

Consequences for Rule Violation:

· First violation: You will receive a written warning from the Market Manager.

· Second violation: Results in a week’s suspension.

· The third violation: Results in expulsion from the Market for the remainder of the season with no refund. A review of the respective vendor’s application will be made in subsequent years, with a probationary period of the following season.

· Vendors who create continuous problems for market management can be asked to leave and will not be reconsidered to come back to the market indefinitely.

Payment

Your application is considered your acknowledgement and acceptance of the Rules and Regulations

There are no refunds or deductions based on unused stall weeks.

Payments may be made by check, through the Vendor Store located on the website at www.farmersmarketgi.com under the Vendor Store tab.

Management Statements:

· Grand Island Area Farmer’s Market reserves the right to deny stall space to any vendor at any time, without prior notice.

· Grand Island Area Farmer’s Market does not discriminate against any applicant for stall space based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, age or marital status.

· Stall assignments, determination of suitability of items offered for sale, and collection of stall rental fees and membership are the sole responsibility of the Grand Island Area Farmers Market’s Market Management Team.

· No guarantee of exclusivity of products is made or implied.

2026 Vendor Stall Pricing

Each stall is 10 ft wide x 20 ft deep (the same as a parking stall)

2026 Full Season Rates (Remember, this does not mean that you need to be at every market. Vendors choose this rate because they know that they will be at market enough that it makes sense for them to purchase this rate, instead of paying the daily rates below. This year, we will no longer be accepting daily rates towards a seasonal rate. The entire purpose of purchasing a seasonal rate is to enjoy the discount it represents to vendors who choose to do so.)