vendor information

ABOUT CFM . . .

The Cromwell Farmers Market (CFM) was created and is run by the Polke Family, Market Creator Heather Polke along with her husband Jeff Polke and their three children. The Cromwell Farmers is a Connecticut certified market. The market is situated beside the Connecticut River at Frisbee Park with easy on/off access to and from Route 9. The goal we have as a Market is to provide fresh locally grown food to our community and help support local farms and creative artisans.

REQUIREMENTS . . .

CFM Vendors must comply with our state and towns regulations they are as follows. Vendors must bear a CT Department of Consumer Affairs seal on their scales. Responsibility of collecting sales tax falls on each vendor not the CFM. Sales tax must be included upon signing up to attend the Market as well as have it readily available at your booth. Vendors must follow State and local health agencies rules and regulations. Vendors who are selling food must register with the town of Cromwell Health Department and display your health certificate every week at your booth. ALL Farmers/Growers need a plot plan from the State of Connecticut Agriculture Department.

NO SOLICITATION . . .

The Market is held on Cromwell town property - there is no solicitation allowed of any kind. If it is brought to our attention, we will look into the matter and decide if you will be able to continue participating in our market.

WHO CAN VEND? . . .

Only Connecticut vendors who have been approved by the Market Master we will allow out of state artisans to sell on guest vendor only basis. We are looking for local and unique and love to help promote everyone big and small.

BECOMING A VENDOR . . .

Vendors are required by CFM to submit an application to Market Master and the following documentation:
Description of products to be sold
CT Sales Tax Permit (If applicable)
Health Department Permit (if applicable)
Police Form
Photos or products sold by (local artisans only)
Payment for designated vendor Fee (checks made payable to Cromwell Farmers Market)
Certificate of Product Liability Insurance
Plot Plan or Specialty Crop Plan
Copy of Consumer Protection Certificate

APPLYING TO VEND . . .

All applications for full season must be filled out, include all appropriate documentation and approved by May 15th. Applicants must follow all market guidelines. All fees are non-refundable. CFM has the right to rent tables on a weekly basis to guest vendors. CFM has the right to refuse any application if the applicant is not a suitable fit for our market.

GUIDELINES . . .

• Items we allow to be sold at our Market: Farmers may sell produce and plant material for food, live ornamental plants, Food and fiber derived from Farm raised animals for those purposes. All items must be CT grown and CT produced owned or leased by a farmer. The farm must be located in CT plants and animals must be raised in CT along with produce grown in CT. Signage of all of your products listing your farm name. If a product you are selling is from another Farm it first, must be approved by the Market Master and if approved must have proper signage stating the farm and farms address. Breakdown: Produce, Fruit, Eggs, Meats, Plants, Jams/Jellies, Baked Goods, Cheese, Breads, Dairy, Seafood, Local Beer/Wine, Sauces, Salsa, Pastas, Oils, Herbs, Honey, Pickles, Maple Syrup, Coffee and so much more.

• Artisans must only sell items they create at home or in a studio located in Connecticut. Out of state artisans will only be allowed to be a guest vendor. If goods sold consist of food items they must be labeled accordingly and follow health deparment guidelines. Health department certificates must be present/visible at your booth at all times. Breakdown: Soaps, clothing, scarves, natural home products, jewelry, photography, woodworking, eclectic works, furniture and so much more (If it’s handmade) we would LOVE to consider it for our Market. Artists must provide photos of their craft prior to approval. Any skincare products, lotions, balms, repellents, soaps must have a certificate from the Connecticut Department Protection, provided before your start at the market.

• Artisan food sellers may sell their Connecticut made items, but they must be fresh and have the highest of quality ingredients and marked with any allergens, following all applicable regulations and health codes.

• Set up: Vendor gate opens at 2:00pm and closes at 3:45pm If you need more time or are stuck in traffic contact our Market Master Heather Polke. Be ready to sell by 4:00pm and be packed up and out no later than 7:30pm, leaving your space exactly how you found it - CLEAN.

• Vendor space is 10x10 minimum if you need a double space it will cost an additional fee of $50 for the season. These spaces are assigned first come first serve and based on your arrival time vehicles are NOT allowed on the parks lawn due to irrigation but your vehicle will be with you at all times easy loading and unloading. Everything that comes onto your space must be taken away from your space at the end of each night. This includes any packaging materials.

• All tents must be securely anchored at all times (NO STAKES) you must use weights at least 10lbs each due to irrigation on the property. There is absolutely NO SMOKING at the Market. The Market does NOT supply weights so PLEASE be prepared or you will not be allowed to use your tent.

• Vendors are responsible to attend every week for full time or the dates they chose for half or guest spots in case of absence. Vendors must contact the Market Master in advance at (860) 614-8727 or via email cromwellfarmersmarket@comcast.net. Vendors cannot share a space with other Vendors if they are selling different items and have different business names.

• The market is open rain or shine if we are in for severe weather (thunderstorms and heavy rain) the Market will be closed for that day (per the town of Cromwell Park Department). The Market Master reserves the right to cancel the Market in events of an emergency.

• Weekly attendance is mandatory more than three absences qualifies for your forfeit of your space NO EXCEPTIONS. If a vendor has planned event and can’t make a week please contact us one week prior to the absent date.

• All insurance must be up to date including product liability this is the vendor’s responsibility to provide. A certificate of $300,000 minimum liability insurance is required. Cromwell Farmers Market and Our Market Master assume no liability for loss or injury caused by products sold by any vendor at anytime.

• This Market is geared for our community and families are a big part of that. We ask that you refrain from any profanities or abusive behavior for this will NOT be tolerated. Vendors who don’t follow these rules will be asked to leave the Market and lose their fee and space.

• The Market Master will act as the head contact for the duration of the Market she will be the point of contact for all vendors, you will provide her with all necessary paperwork and fees. Heather Polke is committed to create a Market for everyone to enjoy and a place for vendors to come together and sell their goods. We want you to be successful - that is our main goal.

• Every week as a vendor you will offer a “Friend of the Market” discount to any customer wearing a Friends of the Market Tote Bag, you pick and choose what it will be. We will provide you a card at the start of the Market season when you arrive; you are in charge of bringing it every week along with a dry erase marker you must display the card at your booth every week. Please change your sale every week to keep your customers excited. MANDATORY: Please email Heather Polke by Wednesday of each week with any special offerings in order to be included in the market's marketing efforts, on our website and social media platforms.