Are you interested in selling your locally grown or produced items at the Champaign Farmers Market? We invite you to apply through Manage My Market!
The Land Connection envisions a community-based food system in which every farmer has the opportunity to grow food in a sustainable manner and every person can access local, healthy foods. Your participation in the Champaign Farmers Market takes us one step further toward making that vision a reality.
Vendor Eligibility
The Champaign Farmers Market is a food and farm products only market. Farm products include wool, plants, or products made from milk, honey, fibers, herbs, or flowers grown or raised by the vendor.
In line with The Land Connection’s mission:
- preference will be given to support small, family farms who use sustainable practices
- producers should be based within 150 miles of Champaign-Urbana to qualify
- the number of value-added vendors will be limited to no more than 20% of the market
- preference will be given to value-added food vendors who
- grow at least a portion of the fruits/vegetables used in their products, OR
- source ingredients from fellow Champaign Farmers Market vendors
We will do our best to meet the needs of all vendors and provide as wide a range of options for market shoppers as possible. Final decisions on what products are allowed for sale is up to the discretion of the Market Manager.
All items must be grown, raised, or produced by the vendor. Growers found to be re-selling produce or any other items at the Market will receive one written warning by the Market Manager. If the infraction is repeated, the vendor’s lease will be revoked for the season and all pre-paid fees will be forfeited.
Prior to your first Market, you will be required to sign a contract acknowledging understanding of the supplement nutrition assistance benefits programs (SNAP and Senior/WIC FMNP), sales reporting protocol, and Market Code of Conduct.
Generally, produce sold at the Champaign Farmers Market should:
- be of the highest and freshest quality possible
- reflect Midwest seasonality
- be from a small farm or small-scale artisanal food producer
- not be labeled “organic” unless it is certified by a USDA approved third party certifying agency and follows USDA’s Organic Labeling requirements
All produce must be grown by the vendor/farm that is selling it at the Market. In special cases, vendors will be allowed to sell small quantities for other growers, provided all produce has its origin clearly labeled and it can meet our guidelines for sustainable practices. A sign with the additional grower’s address is required to be posted on the stand at the Market.
Food Trucks are welcome to join the Market on a case-by-case basis in exchange for sponsorship of the Market.
Market Operation
The Market officially opens Tuesdays at 3 p.m. and closes at 6 p.m. and runs from May 19 to October 27. Here are some general rules that vendors should be aware of (full policies, rules, and regulations can be found in the Vendor Handbook).
- The Market lot will open for vendor set up at 1 p.m. All vehicles must be unloaded and removed from the Market lot by 2:30 p.m.
- Free vendor parking with a pass from The Land Connection.
- All tents/canopies must be weighted down with at least 35 pounds per tent leg, regardless of weather forecast conditions.
- Electricity is available to vendors who need it. Vendors who would like to use electricity must obtain approval from the Market Manager in advance.
- The market will operate every Tuesday rain or shine. In the case of extreme weather conditions that threaten the safety of vendors and patrons (lightning, tornadoes, etc.) the market may be canceled.
- Smoking is prohibited inside the Market area; this includes e-cigarettes.
- The Market requires that all eligible vendors participate in the LINK token program. All vendors, including those selling items not eligible for LINK purchases, must be familiar with this program.
- Each vendor is limited to a maximum of two spaces.
- The Champaign Farmer’s Market is a dog-friendly market.
- The Market works with local social service agencies to establish the gleaning of food contributions at the end of each market day.
- Gross sales reporting is MANDATORY and not anonymously submitted, however, the information is exclusively recorded by the Market Manager.
- All vendors must maintain liability insurance coverage for the Market and must share a copy of the policy.
- Musicians are welcome to play at the market, as space allows. Performers email market@thelandconnection.org to reserve a spot.
The 2021 Champaign Farmers Market Vendor Handbook provides a more complete breakdown of our policies and procedures. Some policies subject to change in 2021.
