Details & Policies

DWFM 2021 Policy Details & Vendor Information

**PLEASE READ CAREFULLY**

Products

Vendors must submit a list or details of products 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. The Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market is a space for locally created foods and artisanal Canadian products. As such, only vendors who are selling bona fide locally created or produced foods, artisanal products, or similar products will be permitted. Exceptions may be made Not for Profit Groups on a case-by-case basis, with first preference given to Not for Profit Groups located within the Downtown Windsor BIA’s business district. If you represent a Not for Profit Group, see the section titled “Not for Profit Groups” below. Management of the DWFM reserves the right to ask any Vendor to remove any product or item from sale at any time during the season.

Vendor Space

All vendors must:

1. Provide Table/s for product
2. Provide Tent/Canopy in good repair
3. Manage the space around their Site within COVID 19 Protocols (including line up, social distancing)
4. Provide Tablecloths, all health and safety supplies required (i.e., Handwashing Station), and certifications.
5. Minimum 1 (50’) heavy gauge extension cord if Hydro is needed. (1) Heavy duty Power bar if needed.
6. Include Vendor Signage, bring own COVID 19 Protocol supplies (masks, sanitizer, etc.). Prices and product information must be 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 the date of the Market. When possible, each Vendor’s location is kept permanent based on the following guidelines:

1. 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. Vendors accept the potential for relocation upon filling the Vendor Application Form.
2. 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 and vendors accept the potential for relocation upon filling the Vendor Application Form.
3. 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 so desired). Vendors accept the potential for relocation upon filling the Vendor Application Form.
4. There are a limited number of Hydro sites and a limited amount of amperage. Full Season Vendors needing 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 must follow the direction of the GM at all times.
5. There are a limited numbers of sites in shade/sun. Vendors should be prepared for this natural occurrence.
6. Potable water is available from municipal system during REGULAR SEASON. Vendors must bring their own carrying containers. Partnering business(es) help with Water in WINTER MARKET Season. The Winter Market does not have access to potable water. Vendors are responsible for providing their own source of water if applicable.
7. The General Manager of DWFM and the DWBIA, from time to time, will have reason 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 due to changing environmental considerations or safety–without warning or advance notice.
8. All Vendor vehicles SHALL be off site by 7:30 AM (Regular Season). No Vendor vehicle will return to the site until 1:00PM and 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 Food 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.

Permits & Alcohol Safety

Vendors wishing to sell alcoholic beverages of any kind are required to provide a Certificate of Insurance that includes (i) occurrence based and (ii) cross liability coverage of at least $2 million, and (iii) liquor liability coverage of at least $2 million. Vendors must add the following entities as additional insured:

Downtown Windsor BIA
484 Pelissier Street
Windsor, ON N9A 4K9

The Corporation of the City of Windsor
403 – 400 City Hall Square E
Windsor, ON N9A 7K6

The Officers & Directors of Farmers’ Markets Ontario
Farmers’ Markets Ontario
54 Bayshore Road
Brighton, ON K0K 1H0

Vendors who do not comply with the above will be unable to sell their wares at the Windsor Farmers’ Market.

Signage

Each Vendor’s business name must be clearly displayed. All prices must be clearly marked and displayed prominently. Prices should not be altered during the day unless through verbal negotiation with customers. Signage and vendor presentation is very important. All vendors should strive for an attractive public appearance. DWFM provided COVID-19 precautionary signage should be displayed.

At the DWFM’s sole discretion, signage or messaging which is inappropriate, offensive, or otherwise brings the reputation of the DWFM into disrepute will not be permitted. The GM and/or the DWFM maintain the right at any time to instruct a vendor to remove signage determined to go against this policy, and reserve the right to remove a Vendor who fails to comply with the above.

Health Unit

Windsor – Essex County Health Unit Vendor Application
Windsor – Essex County Health Unit Farmers Market & General Market Organizer & Food Vendor Requirements

If you have any questions about the rules and regulations governing our market’s operations, please contact:

JENNY TAN CPHI(C)
Public Health Inspector | Environmental Health Windsor-Essex County Health Unit
1005 Ouellette Avenue, Windsor, N9A 4J8
Email: jtan@wechu.org
Ph: 519-258-2146 ext. 1463
Fx: 519-258-8672

Not for Profit Groups

The Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market is a venue meant exclusively for the sale of food and artisanal items grown or produced in Ontario. Selling bona fide locally created or produced foods, artisanal products, or similar products are the Market’s central purpose.

On occasion, reasonable accommodations may be made for certain not-for-profit groups that are existing members of the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association and who’s purpose serves to represent the economic and social interests of all Downtown Windsor member businesses. This accommodation is not guaranteed and the DWBIA has the right to refuse any and all Not for Profit Groups at its discretion.

Preference will be given to Not-for-Profit Groups based in the Windsor-Essex area first. To apply for accommodation as a Not-for-Profit Group, prospective vendors must adhere to the followings steps:

1. Prospective vendors must be an existing member of the Downtown Windsor BIA.
2. As with all other vendors, you must submit advanced application to the General Manager. This application must be submitted to the General Manger a minimum of 7 days prior to the participation dates for which you are applying.
3. If the vendor application is approved, the GM will assign an available space to the prospective vendor. Preferential locations cannot be guaranteed. Preferential locations in the Market are reserved for i) full-season and half-season vendors who 2) sell items and foods that meet the requirements on page 1.
4. The prospective vendor must pay the relevant daily fee for participating vendors at the Market. The fee must be paid in advance of each day the vendor intends to operate at the Market.
5. The prospective vendor must adhere to the code of conduct applicable for all Market vendors. The prospective vendor must stay within the boundaries of their market area as designated by the GM. The prospective vendor must not conduct ANY activities, sales, or performance of any Not-for-Profit work or information campaign outside of the area specified to the prospective vendor by the General Manager. Failure to abide by this will result in the prospective vendor being immediately instructed to leave. There will be no warnings. Vendors who do not abide by the above clause will be instructed to leave and may be barred from participating as a vendor at the Market in future.
6. Prospective vendors at the Market must refrain from confrontational behaviour. All promotional materials, posters, flyers, and goods for sale must be in good taste. If any items or material are deemed offensive to community members, they will be removed at the discretion of the General Manager and/or the DWBIA.

At their discretion, the GM and the Downtown Windsor BIA may deny further access to the Market to any individual or organization unable to comply with the above rules. As stated above, local not-for-profit organizations who are members of the DWBIA may be allowed to participate in the Market in order to promote special events or conduct fundraising activities at the full discretion of the GM and/or the DWBIA; however, all such activities are to be confined to areas within the Market as designated by the GM and/or the DWBIA. Failure to abide by this will result in the vendors’ forfeiture of their spot.

Printable/downloadable policy: