The Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market (DWFM) is proudly presented by the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association (DWBIA), which is dedicated to making downtown Windsor the premier destination to work, visit, and live. The DWBIA advocates for the economic and social interests of its diverse membership, fostering a vibrant and thriving business district. The DWFM and DWBIA sincerely appreciate your continued support of the Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market!
Learn more about the work of the DWBIA.
2025 Policy Details
***Please read carefully***
Market Location
Pelissier Street between Wyandotte Street and Park Street.
Regular Season Dates & Times
Saturday March 29 to Saturday October 25, 2025. The regular season market will operate between 9:00AM to 2:00PM. Vendors can begin arriving after 7:15 AM, and set up must be complete by 8:30 AM. No Vendor, Entertainer, Volunteer will have vehicular access to Market Site after 8:30AM and the street closure will remain in effect until 2:00 PM.
Vendors have from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM to pack up and tear down. Vendors should come prepared for all weather conditions. There is no week-to-week storage available to Vendors. Vendors who arrive later than 8:45 AM will not be permitted to set up. No exceptions. Vendors who are chronically late or who cancel will not be allowed to continue at the DWFM. For safety reasons, Vendors are not permitted to tear down before 2:00 PM.
Products
Vendors must submit a list or details of products along with their application form. Products sold at the DWFM must be GROWN, MADE, BAKED, or PRODUCED by the Vendor or be an artisanal Canadian product that is not readily available in grocery stores. Management of the DWFM reserves the right to ask any Vendor to remove any product from sale at any time during the season. Vendors are not permitted to sell or include any ‘MLM’ or “Network Marketing’ products (per Farmer’s Market Ontario (FMO) policy, of which the DWFM is a member).
Application & Selection Process
Vendors must select the participation category that best applies to them:
- Full-Season Vendors – Committing to the entire 31-week season.
- Part-Time Vendors – Participating for 15 weeks.
- Occasional Vendors – Attending on a limited basis.
- Not-For-Profit Organizations – Community groups with no sales, ticketing, or financial transactions.
All vendor applications will be reviewed by the General Manager, who will make the final decision. The Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market (DWFM) reserves the right to approve or decline any application at its discretion. Vendors who violate market policies may face termination from the Market, and the General Manager has the authority to require a vendor to leave the Market site for any infractions.
2025 Vendor Information
Vendor Space
All vendors must:
- Provide Table/s for product.
- Provide Tent/Canopy in good repair, canopy weights are mandatory for each vendor.
- Manage the space around their Site within COVID-19 Protocols (including line up, social distancing)
- Provide Tablecloths, all health and safety supplies required (i.e., Handwashing Station), and certifications.
- Provide their own (75’) heavy gauge extension cord if Hydro is needed/approved an. (1) Heavy duty Outdoor GFP Power bar, if needed. Indoor power bars not permitted.
- Include Vendor Signage and product information in compliance with DWFM regulations (see signage for further information)
Each approximate 12 x12 space is numbered on the pavement/ground. Vendors will be assigned a location by number on Market Day. When possible, each Vendor’s location is kept permanent based on the following guidelines:
- Full Season Vendors receive a permanent and preferential first choice of locations based on requirements of their booth. The General Manager (GM) will assign this location in consultation with the Vendor and DWFM service requirements. Vendor application and approval will be numbered upon payment of full season. Occasionally, the GM needs to relocate vendors to better align the market flow.
- Half Season Vendors receive second choice of location based on requirements. When possible, they may return to the same location. Service limits can affect location of all vendors. Repeat location is not always possible or guaranteed.
- Occasional Vendors receive a location around Full Season and Half Season Vendors based on requirements. When possible, they will be offered the same location (if desired).
- There are a limited number of Hydro sites and a limited amount of amperage. Full Season Vendors requiring Hydro will receive preference. Vendors receiving Hydro are limited in what may be plugged into amperage in the grid. The General Manager reserves the right to limit access. Vendors using hydro must provide their own extension cord. Minimum 75’ heavy gauge outdoor extension cord. Maximum cords per vendor, when available, is two (2).
- There are limited numbers of sites in shade/sun. Vendors should be prepared for this natural occurrence.
- Potable water is available from the municipal system. Vendors must bring their own carrying containers.
- The General Manager of DWFM and the DWBIA, from time to time, have reasons to adjust Vendor locations. Additionally, municipal authorities, from time to time, have reasons to adjust their policies. All Vendor locations and approvals are subject to change, without warning or advance notice, due to changing environmental and logistical considerations.
- All Vendor vehicles SHALL be off site by 8:30 AM (Regular Season). No Vendor vehicle will return to the site until 2:00PM and only at the instruction of market staff and volunteers.
Permits/Food Safety
Vendors are responsible for obtaining all necessary licenses, permits, inspections and certifications for the sale of their products. This includes health and safety, labeling, etc.All persons handling food must maintain a high-level cleanliness. Vendors who are selling food should consider contacting the Health Unit prior to committing to the DWFM to ensure compliance. Food Handling and Safety Courses are offered throughout the year and even online. The DWFM is not responsible for Vendor Registration with the WECHU. Vendors who cannot follow Health Unit regulations will be asked to leave the DWFM (without refund) and/or asked to restrict the content of products brought to the DWFM for sale.
Signage
Each vendor must prominently display a banner at their tent showcasing their business name. All prices must be clearly marked and easily visible, with any price adjustments throughout the day permitted only through verbal negotiation with customers. Presentation and signage play a crucial role in attracting customers, so vendors are encouraged to maintain a visually appealing setup. Additionally, any COVID-19 precautionary signage provided by DWFM must be displayed when directed by WECHU.
Policy for Religious Organizations
The DWBIA/DWFM promotes and maintains a neutral space that is free from the expression of any religious or creed-based preferences. Historically, we have not allowed religious/spiritually aligned organizations to promote any religion, theology, or spirituality. In keeping such a space, we ask that vendors refrain from displaying symbols of religions or spiritualities; from inviting patrons to a religious space; and, among other religious/spiritually aligned activities, spread teachings from religious authorities. We do permit religious/spiritually aligned organizations to promote secular services they may provide, or programs that do not have religious ties. In some circumstances, programs and services cannot be made to be religiously neutral. If organizations conclude that their services or programs cannot be religiously neutral, we ask that they refrain from providing and promoting such services. If an organization is unable to provide services or promote programs that are religiously neutral, the DWBIA/DWFM cannot permit that organization to be a vendor at the Downtown Windsor Farmers Market. Kindly take the above into consideration in your application and in considering your organization’s participation of its programs and services at the DWFM.
Note
Vendor fees are non-refundable. Vendors who miss a scheduled appearance without providing at least 24 hours’ notice will receive a formal warning. A second unnotified absence will result in a $50 penalty, which must be paid before the vendor is permitted to return to the Market. If a vendor fails to appear a third time without advance notice, all remaining bookings will be cancelled, and no refunds will be issued.
All cheques payable to “Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association”.
No vendor shall attend market unless their date has been prepaid.
Approved vendor applications can pay online/by cheque once their application is approved.
2025 DWFM & DWBIA Legal Disclaimer
The DWFM & DWBIA, their Board of Directors, Staff and Contract Staff/Volunteers will assume no responsibility for loss of product, sales, inclement weather closure, volume of patrons/customers, theft from vendor site or parked vehicles, towed vehicles, parking tickets, damage to Vendor equipment, theft of personal property, or loss of sales due to unforeseen early closure of market, closure of DWFM due to COVID-19 restrictions, or any unforeseen circumstances and/or safety concerns. Vendors registered for DWFM during a COVID-19 lockdown will receive a refund for missed days.
There are absolutely no Vendor refunds.
No smoking anywhere on market grounds by order of the City of Windsor.
The DWFM & DWBIA reserve the right to accept or reject any vendor application.
The DWFM & DWBIA reserve the right to ask vendors to leave the permitted market site for any reason.
Your Vendor profile may be listed on dwfm.ca, downtownwindsor.ca, DWFM & DWBIA Facebook, Twitter & Instagram Pages! Pictures of staff, helpers and your Vendor Booth may be uploaded to the Websites and Facebook. Details or pictures of your products may be included on our social media sites.
Questions
Contact Steve Green (General Manager) at: info@dwfm.ca.
Email scanned application to: info@dwfm.ca.
Alternatively, please mail printed application to:
Steve Green
General Manager, DWFM
1237 Chilver Road
Windsor, ON N8Y 2L2