If you are interested in participating in the WDFM as a vendor, here’s the process:
1. find out if you qualify
The Waco Downtown Farmers Market maintains a strict focus on food and farms. We are a producers’ market interested in showcasing locally grown and artisan-quality, locally/directly sourced and produced foods. In keeping with the City of Waco’s Farmers Market Ordinance, we have limited space to offer non-agricultural, non-local products. We will not accept the following items at our market:
– Agricultural items not grown by the vendor within 150 miles of Waco
– Non-food items not grown and processed by the producer (e.g., flowers, herb tinctures, beeswax candles) within 150 miles of Waco
– Prepared foods that do not source local ingredients into their meals
– Crafts not made with local ingredients. Crafts made with local mesquite, wool, seeds, bamboo, cotton, beeswax, goat’s milk, etc. will be considered.
Please note our preferred vendors at this time
Mushrooms, produce growers (especially fruit, unique varieties), plants, dog treats, locally handmade pasta, pottery, cheese, apothecary goods, meal kits, milk. Other vendors will be considered - but these are our priority areas for adding to our membership.
2. REFERENCE OUR EVALUATION TOOL
Please reference our Rubric for Potential and Current Vendors to see if you meet the necessary requirements to be considered for approval. The Operations Committee will use this tool to evaluate your application, so please be sure to read it thoroughly before applying.
Visit our listing on Marketspread.com to apply to become a vendor.
Apply to become a Saturday Morning Vendor (Courthouse Parking Lot)
Apply to become a Wednesday Night Vendor (Bridge Street Plaza)
Marketspread Application Instructions
Go to Marketspread.com. Click the BLUE button that says “vend, sell, exhibit online”
Select the vendor type.
Complete the basic public profile (information that will be visible to customers).
After you complete your profile, you'll need to apply to the WDFM/BSFM. Go to the applications tab on the left side of your screen.
Click on the "Find events" button on the upper right corner of the screen. WDFM/BSFM should populate as nearby markets.
Fill out the application.
Select dates that you plan to attend Market.
Application Fees: All new vendors must pay a $25 application. Applications received without a paid application fee will not be reviewed.
If you have any technical difficulties applying to the 2024 Market Season, please contact the Marketspread Support team directly at support@marketspread.com. They are excellent at responding to requests, usually within 24 hours.
Vendor Tutorials can be found on Marketspread’s Support Page here, for everything from updating your vendor profile, change attendance dates, paying an invoice, setting up auto pay and more.
3. apply to become a vendor!
4. application review
Market Staff and Operations Committee review applications the first week of each month, and make decisions based on our Vendor Criteria – as outlined in the City of Waco’s Farmers Market Permit (see below). Expect up to two weeks for processing.
Pending Market approval, you will receive additional Vendor Documents (Market Token Information Sheet, and SNAP Program Agreement Form) to fill out and return to the Market Manager prior to your first market day.
5. market approval
You will be added to the Vendor Email List to receive weekly updates on the site plan and pertinent info for upcoming Market days
6. vendor updates
Spaces at Market are reserved according to tenure at Market and electrical needs.
Application Fee is $25 (non-refundable).
Annual membership is $50 (due on or before your SECOND market day).
Saturdays: Single booth fee is $40/market or a double booth for $80/market. Food Trucks and Non-agricultural vendors are $55/space.
Wednesdays: Single booth fee is $25/market. Food Trucks and Non-agricultural vendors are $40/space.
Electricity is an additional fee of $10/week (pending availability)
7. market spaces
Additional Vendor Resources
– ALL vendors preparing food on-site or sampling MUST obtain a Farmers Market Permit from the Waco-McLennan County Health District for $100/year. Businesses must also hold a food manager’s license. Contact the Health District with more questions at (254) 750- 5467.
– Review the McLennan County Health District’s Farmers Market Inspection Checklist and Food Safety Regulations for Farmers Markets Guide.
– Cottage Food Businesses MUST follow all labeling and product guidelines as outlined in the Texas Cottage Food Law.
– If you are interested in selling processed or value-added goods (ready-to-eat foods, most canned items, etc), you must obtain a Food Manufacturers License from the Department of Health and Human Services – as well as operate out of a commercial kitchen.
– Link to obtain your Food Managers License via an online certification course.