Melrose Farmers’ Market 2025 Market Rules

Site: Bowden Park, Jct. of W. Emerson and Cedar Park, Melrose 

Dates: Thursdays June 5 - October 30, 1pm-6pm 

November Harvest Market, December Holiday Market

 

Purpose:

The mission of the Melrose Farmers Market is to promote the creation and consumption of locally produced foods; to make such foods accessible to all; to educate participants about the nutritional, environmental and economic implications of the food we eat; to provide a forum for issues of local importance, including educational and non-profit groups; and to foster community.

 

Market Policies:

Application: All vendors wishing to sell at the Melrose Farmers’ Market must submit an application along with other required documents, which may include proof of liability insurance and a Board of Health Certificate for prepared food items. Vendors with incomplete applications will not be considered. 

 

Liability Insurance: Vendors must show proof of their own liability insurance in their application. The following individuals/groups are required to have insurance:

  • Any vendor, artisan, or other individual or organization who has paid a fee to be present at the Melrose Farmers’ Market.

  • Any vendor, artisan, musician, or other individual, or organization including musicians and artisans that sells goods or services and/or receives income from attending the market, regardless of whether they paid a fee to be at the market.

  • Individuals or organizations with tip jars.

  • Individuals or groups that require electricity, regardless of whether they paid to be at the market or receive income from attending the market. 

 

Attendance: All vendors must attend every week they signed up for, unless other arrangements have been made with the Market Manager or Executive Director. The Market Manager or Executive Director has the authority to cancel a vendor’s participation if this Attendance Policy is violated. Extenuating circumstances can be discussed with the Market Manager or Executive Director. Vendors who repeatedly violate the attendance policy may be denied the following year.

 

Hours: The Melrose Farmers Market will operate every Thursday from June 5 - October 30, 2025, from 1pm - 6pm in Bowden Park at the corners of W. Emerson Street and Cedar Park in Melrose. Vendors can show up any time after 11am and must complete setup by 1pm. Vendors are expected to shut down promptly after the market closes. Sales may begin at 12:30pm (soft opening), but the market is officially open at 1pm. Vendors must stay until 6pm unless other arrangements were made with the Executive Director or Market Manager prior to the market.

 

Weather: The Melrose Farmers’ Market is a rain-or-shine market. If a Market employee or board member deems the weather to be unsafe, the market may be cancelled, open late, or close early due to safety concerns. There are no refunds given for weather cancellations. Vendors who chose not to attend due to weather will not be refunded or rescheduled.   

 

Space Fees: There is a weekly fee of $40 per 10x10 space (2 tents max). Additional space behind forward-facing tents may be purchased for $35 per tent (2 tents max). We encourage vendors to pay in full for the season. Vendors who pay 60 days prior to their scheduled market(s) will receive a $5 discount per tent per market. Vendors who choose to pay monthly may make payments by the 1st of each month for that month's vendor fee at the $40 rate per market. All space fees must be paid at least two weeks prior to the vendor’s scheduled market or the space may be terminated, unless other arrangements have been made with the Market Manager or Executive Director.

 

Vendor Parking: Parking must be outside of the market area. Prompt loading and unloading immediately adjacent to the park will be permitted only. Vendors may park in the train station parking lot, neighborhood streets a few blocks from the park or in the Trinity Church parking lot. ***PARKING ON THE STREETS NEAR THE MARKET IS NOT PERMITTED.***

 

Utilities: Limited electrical utilities are provided, subject to electrical updates in the park. Vendors who wish to use electricity must indicate it in their application. A fee may be charged for the use of electricity. Toilet facilities are available via an outdoor porta-potty. 

 

Setup: Vendors should plan to bring their own tents and tables. We strongly recommend tents for shade and protection from the elements, as we cannot guarantee spots in the shade. VENDORS ARE REQUIRED TO BRING WEIGHTS TO HOLD DOWN TENTS - STAKES MAY NOT BE USED TO ANCHOR TENTS DUE TO A SHALLOW IRRIGATION SYSTEM. Table and/or tent rentals are available on a first come, first serve basis and must be indicated in vendor applications. Rentals incur a $15 rental/setup fee. 

 

Carry In, Carry Out: All vendors are required to honor our carry in - carry out policy. Spaces should be left clean, with no trash left behind. Prepared food vendors should provide a receptacle for customers to dispose of their food waste.

 

Containers and Bags: Where possible, we request that food vendors use compostable containers or give a discount to customers for bringing their own containers. Compostable and recyclable bags are strongly encouraged over single-use plastic bags. Please encourage customers to bring their own reusable grocery bags. 

 

WIC Coupons & Senior Coupons: WIC and Senior coupons are made available to qualifying families and seniors. Produce vendors may accept the coupons and will be reimbursed by the state dollar-for- dollar. We strongly recommend that farms get certified to accept these coupons. Farmers must apply to MA Dept of Agricultural Resources by mid-May. Call Lisa Damon at 617-626-1731 for more info. (Reminder -- only farms may accept Farmers’ Market coupons and only for fresh produce). 

SNAP Benefits and Market Money: The market accepts SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits and EBT cards. We provide customers with SNAP benefits with a Melrose Farmers Market scrip in $1 and $5 denominations (“Market Bucks”). Market Bucks may be used to purchase all food intended to be eaten at home including breads/cereals, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, poultry, nonalcoholic beverages, snack foods, soft drinks, candy, ice, seeds and plants intended to grow food (but not for growing flowers or feeding to birds). SNAP Market Bucks cannot be used to purchase alcohol, foods that are hot at the point of sale, food to be eaten at the market, pet foods, non-food items such as soaps, cosmetics, or other household goods. 

 

The Melrose Farmers’ Market no longer provides $2 and $5 scrip denominations to market goers paying with credit and debit cards. However, vendors may still accept old Market Bucks in these denominations given that they are not expired. It is the responsibility of the vendor to check for an expiration date. Vendors will not be reimbursed for expired scrip.

Vendors are required to return Market Bucks to the SNAP/Market Coordinator at the end of each market. A receipt will be provided for your records. Market Bucks reimbursement is made every 2 weeks and is done using electronic checks from the bank’s online bill pay. Vendors must provide a mailing address to which checks will be mailed. Checks should be deposited in a timely manner, as the bank voids them after 90 days. Non-SNAP-approved vendors will not be reimbursed for SNAP Market Bucks.

 

Children’s Activities: Each week different local businesses and organizations are invited to sponsor the materials and/or volunteer to run the Children’s Activity Tables. Requests, including the proposed activity, the materials needed/provided, and the requested date to can be sent to melrosefarmersmarket@gmail.com. 

 

Local Farms: Produce must be locally grown from the farmer’s land (no commercial resellers) or from a local farmer’s agreement, by permission of the Market Manager. Produce not grown on the farmer’s land shall be labeled at the market with the farm the product was from. All vendors are required to label how their produce is grown using the following statements “grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides or artificial chemical fertilizers” or “Grown with IPM.” Only vendors that are certified organic under the USDA’s National Organic Program may label their produce “Organic”. In keeping with our mission to connect citizens of Melrose with the farmers who grow their food, we recommend that someone who assisted in the growing of produce be present at the market to answer questions and participate in discussions about the growing process from experience working on the farm. 

 

Locally Prepared Foods Only: Prepared foods may only be sold at the market if prepared by the vendor. All prepared or ready to eat foods require a permit from the Melrose Health Department. A copy of this permit must be on site for each market. 

 

Personal Care Products: Each week the market reserves space for 1 personal care products vendor. Personal care products at the market must be of high quality and made by the vendor. Preference will be given to personal care products that use natural materials. All market policies apply. 

 

Craft Vendors: Each week the market reserves space for 2 crafters or artisans. Crafts/art at the market must be of high quality and made by the vendor. Preference will be given to crafts/art that use recycled, natural, and local materials. All market policies apply. 

 

Local Business: Each week the market reserves space for 1 local business. Preference will be given to local businesses that share the market’s mission. All market policies apply. 

 

Non-profit: Each week the market reserves space for 1 non-profit. Preference will be given to non-profits that share the market’s mission. All market policies apply, however, there will be no space fee charged. A discounted tent and table rental fee may apply.

 

Musicians/Bands: All local bands/musicians wishing to perform at the market must have their own equipment and be able to play two 45 min sets. To apply, fill out the application at https://melrosefarmersmarket.org/music-at-the-market. All local bands/musicians will be able to sell their merchandise at the market on the day of their performance. A tent will be provided by the market and electricity will be available. Musicians/bands will be provided with an honorarium. To comply with grant funding, we may request that musicians sign a form confirming your performance on that specific date.

 

By checking 'I agree', you acknowledge that you have received and read a copy of these Market Rules and agree to abide by them as well as any other guidelines and decisions of the Melrose Farmers' Market (MFM) Executive Director or other representatives of the MFM, including but not limited to the Market Manager. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the MFM and its employees and volunteers from any and all causes of action which may arise from the operation of this market. You grant permission for MFM and its sponsors to use any photos, videotape, etc. taken of you or your products in any and all publicity and advertising promoting the market. You acknowledge and understand that no refunds will be given due to weather cancellation or any cancellation.