Vendor Resources
Whether you are new to direct sales and looking for information on permits, or you’re just looking for more details on our specific policies, NFM is here to help. In addition to the resources on this page, new vendors are given an orientation to our food access currencies, our day-of logistics, and help with an initial marketing boost to build a customer base within our markets.
Here is a cheat sheet version of how to be prepared for market day, which may be especially useful for training new employees. All vendors and their staff must also read our Vendor Handbook and manager handouts, be prepared with the right equipment and signage, and have a good understanding of our programs and procedures prior to selling in our markets. Our market currency guide can be found here.
Before your first day of sales, your Market Manager will contact you to review market-specific information regarding loading area, timing, your booth space, etc.
Resources for Farmers and Food Vendors
The Washington State Farmers Market Association has a great info/resource page for market farmers and vendors here.
Insurance: liability and product liability insurance is required for all market vendors and farmers who sell anything edible.
WSDA Small Farm and Direct Marketing Handbook - also known as the "Green Guide," this is the essential resource for farmers and food vendors who want to sell at farmers markets, covering regulations for specific products (from shellfish to body care products to ready-to-eat foods), direct marketing strategies, information on orgs. that support small-scale ag. businesses, and more.
Resource locator map: KCD has a resource locator website for food businesses, where you can search for commercial kitchens, cold storage, meat and poultry processors, etc.
Rules and safety: important info regarding canopies/tents at farmers markets. Also refer to the Vendor Handbook (referenced above) for further vendor requirements. For market safety information see the Market Safety Procedures.
How to spot counterfeit currency: click here for genral info, and here for govt. info.
Farming and Farm Business Resources:
Farm King County - a comprehensive web-based directory of farming resources that contains information relevant to starting, operating and growing a successful farm.
WSU Small Farms Resources and Programs
WSDA Small Farms and Direct Marketing Website
The New Farmers Market, 2nd Edition - marketing guide designed for growers interested in selling their farm products through farmers' markets, as well as for market managers and city planners in starting, managing, and promoting a market.
Farmers Market Coalition Farm Business and Marketing Resources.
Farm Extensions locations/contacts in WA state
Organic certification in WA state
Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) is tailored for direct-market farmers producing food for their local communities. These farmers often find the Organic Certification's heavier paperwork requirements are not a good fit for their small-scale operations, so CNG enables farms to get credit for their practices while offering accountability to their customers. CNG is a private non-profit organization that's not affiliated with the USDA's National Organic Program. CNG's certification approach is based on the participatory guarantee system (PGS) model that relies on peer reviews. This model minimizes paperwork and keeps certification dues affordable.
The Bread Lab at WSU
Hmong American Farmers Association and also Resources for Hmong farmers from the WSDA Green book
Farm Aid's Farmer Resource Network
WAMeatUp - catalyzing collaboration and entrepreneurship along every link of the niche meat supply chain in Washington State.
FDA Food Safety and Modernization Act
Permits and Licenses for Farmers and Food Vendors:
Health Department Permits - information for farmers market vendors.
If you are a farmer who wants to offer samples of your fruits & vegetables to customers at your booth, you'll need to submit an Application for Exemption from the Health Department. There is no cost for this, but you'll need a handwash set-up at your market booth.
Food Handlers Permit (Food Worker Card) - You are a food worker if you work with unpackaged food, food equipment or utensils, or with any surface where people put unwrapped food. This includes farmers who are offering samples of fresh produce to shoppers (and you will need a handwash setup at your booth if you are offering samples).
Fire Department Permits - if your food business involves any type of flame or heating
WA State Liquor Control Board endorsement for selling/sampling wine and beer at Farmers Markets (if your beverage contains .05% alcohol or more, you must have endorsements from the Liquor & Cannabis Board). Note: CBD is not currently allowed as a food ingredient, under federal and state law.
City of Seattle Business License (farmers are exempt)
Washington State business license (required of all Farmers Market farmers and vendors)
Washington State Department of Agriculture licenses, permits, and registrations (includes apiary registration, egg handlers license, nursery license, etc.) See also: Specialty Business Licenses (e.g., egg handler, nursery, alcohol, etc)
Raw milk production and sales requirements per the WSDA
Plant starts and nursery items: Licensing Requirements for the Sale of Plant Materials in WA State
Seafood HACCP and also WSU's HACCP resources
WSDA Weights & Measures (by law all WA state businesses must register their scales for commercial use, and must only use scales that are certified NTEP/legal for trade). Registration is annual with a WA State Business License, $10 per scale. You can also view information on this handout from the WSDA, and this from WSFMA.
City of Seattle Food Packaging Rules - The City of Seattle requires all food service businesses to find recyclable or compostable packaging and serviceware alternatives to all disposable food service items such as containers, cups, straws, utensils, and other products.
Resources for Start-up Food Businesses:
City of Seattle Office of Economic Development - Small Business Support and Resources for Food Businesses. "This guide clarifies the city, county, state, and federal requirements you'll face as you prepare for your first customers." Also visit the Frequently Asked Questions page.
Farm King County also has a good info page for farm and food business requirements (scroll down for food business info).
Ventures: Information and Resources for start-up food businesses. La información del Ventures en español está aquí, y también sobre la cocina comercial.
21 Acres: Commercial kitchen rental for farmers to value-add. 21 Acres is a nonprofit agricultural and environmental learning center and living laboratory for green and sustainable building design. They focus on a whole system approach to solving issues around food availability, small-scale food economies, environmental preservation, and sustainability.
Street Food Vending in Seattle - info sheet and checklist
The Kitchen Door lists available shared use and commercial kitchens to rent. One north end option: The North Seattle Commissary Kitchen is a well-equipped facility in the Maple Leaf/Lake City area, they can be contacted at nscommissary@gmail.com for details and pricing.
The Governor’s Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance (ORIA) has a call center, consultants, and online resources that answer questions like: “How do I start a business in Washington” or “If I’m hiring employees for the first time, what do I have to do?” or "Is workers' comp required for business owners?” or “What permits and licenses do I need?” Visit the website for more info, including the Small Business Guide, the Regulatory Handbook and the Project Questionnaire.
Farmers Markets draft COVID-19 plan, and training document. Recommended glove use guidelines for vendors.
Marketing and Display Resources:
Selling Successfully at a Farmers Market (guide from UNH Coop. Ext.)
New Farmer's Guide - Cultivating Success at Farmers Markets (from the Davis FM)
Federal Benefits Programs:
WIC and Senior FMNP info and application for growers
SNAP/EBT and the USDA handbook (and our Fresh Bucks SNAP incentive program)
Useful journals, publications and links:
Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development
Washington Young Farmers Coalition
ATTRA (A National Sustainable Agriculture Assistance Program) has all kinds of resources for growers.
There are videos on youtube, such as this one, with lots of helpful info on how to sell successfully at farmers markets.
Note: the internet is a wealth of information - use it to search on any topic you can think of ("how to sell at a farmers market" or "how to set up an attractive farm stall booth" or...). As always, though, make sure you are in compliance with our rules and regulations.