Redwood City Kiwanis Farmers Market

Purpose: The Redwood City Kiwanis Farmers’ Market, also referred to as “the market,” operates for the benefit of both vendors and consumers. It provides vendors with an outlet to sell their product at rates higher than wholesale, while also giving consumers an opportunity to purchase at prices lower than retail.

Type of Market: The market is a certified farmers market operating in accordance with the rules and regulations established by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. The market was established primarily for the sale of agricultural products; non-agricultural goods are located in a separate, designated area.

Certified Agricultural Products: After careful inspection and verification of their compliance with direct marketing regulations, these products are certified by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Such products include fresh fruit, vegetables, honey, eggs, flowers, nuts, and nursery stocks.

Market Operator: The market is operated by The Redwood City Kiwanis Club, a non-profit service organization that strives to help underprivileged children in the community.

Application: To obtain permission to occupy a space, prospective vendors should apply in writing to the market operator. Applications are available onsite at the market, or you may contact the market office at: 650.592.4103.

Participation: The market operator grants permission to participate as a vendor depending upon space availability, and under the condition that the vendor agrees to abide by all the rules and regulations of the market. The marketplace does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, nationality or sexual orientation. We do reserve the right to decline admittance to the market to any person or organization.

Space Assignment: Retail spaces are approximately ten feet wide. Location assignment within the market is to the discretion of the market operator. The assignment may be subject to changes under extenuating circumstances without advanced notice.

Public Service Space Assignment: Persons or not-for-profit organizations may occasionally be given a space for the purpose of providing non-political information to the general public. The determination of the nature of the material or information distributed to market attendees is left solely to the discretion of the market operator.

Fees: Vendors shall pay a weekly space rental fee, which is determined by the market operator at the beginning of each market season. This fee, on rare occasions, may change upon 30 days written notice. Annual registration fees must also be paid at the beginning of each market season.

Hours of Operation: 8 a.m. to 12 noon, Saturdays, from April through November. Vendors are required to be in place 30 minutes prior to market opening for setting up. Driving into the market area is NOT permitted after 8 a.m. Vendors arriving after this time must carry their products and equipment into the market. Vendors are not allowed to leave the market prior to 12 noon, unless an exception has been prearranged with the market operator.

Selling shall not begin before 8 a.m. Additionally, only items listed on the market registration form and/or the Certified Producer’s Certificate may be sold. All product promotion must occur within the space assigned to the vendor and not in the common area.

Selling shall cease and clean-up commenced no later than 12:15 p.m. The sales area must be cleaned by the vendor. All garbage must be hauled away and may NOT be disposed on the premises. Vendors are prohibited from using city or local merchant garbage or recycle containers. Sale areas must be swept and cleaned after each market session. A $20 CLEANING FEE will be levied for non-compliance.

Cancellation of Market Date: Vendors must call the market office (650.592.4103) to cancel a market date if they are unable to attend. Calls must be placed at least 24 hours prior to the market opening or the vendor will be charged for the stall fee designated by the market operator This fee is due on the following market date.

Load List Requirements:

The load list is a form identifying the certified producer/vendor. The vendor is required to list the type and the quantity of each product sold and the sum of the total sales for the day. Each vendor must complete the load list form in its entirety.

The list of products sold must match those listed on the producer's certificate.

The form will be distributed during each market session. It must be filled out by the vendor and returned to the Market Information Table by no later than 12:30 p.m.

The Load List forms will be filed by the market operator for a period of 18 months.

Signage: Vendors must display a sign identifying the name of their establishment along with the location/city where all products were cultivated. Prices of all goods must be clearly marked and displayed at all times.

Insurance: Vendors must have a current insurance policy in the minimum amount of $250,000 for ollowing: general and product liability and automobile. The market manager must be given a copy of the certificate no later than the vendor’s first visit to market. Vendors are fully responsible for any and all personal injuries caused by their products, equipment, or display accessories, and are required to fully compensate the injured party and/or the market for any and all losses incurred.

Certificates: Growers must have a current Certified Producer's Certificate from their county’s Agricultural Commissioner. The original embossed certificate must accompany the products during transportation and must be conspicuously posted at the point of sale. The market manager must be furnished a copy of the certificate no later than the vendor’s first visit to the market.

Second Certificate: A certified producer may sell on behalf of other certified producers. The producer acting as vendor must:

not represent more than two other certified producers per year

separate products by producer’s certificate at the point of sale

list his/her name on any certificate when representing or represented by another certified producer, i.e., farmer A must have farmer B listed and vice versa.

have a greater volume of produce at the start of the market than the producer(s) for whom he/she represents

not deal in commissioned sales or in buying between producers

retain the records of products transferred and sold for three years, and submit such records to the California Department of Food and Agriculture upon their request

pay the registration fee for the second and/or the third certificate (may be done on the same registration form for the first certified producer)

Organic Products: Organic growers must be registered as such with the office of the county’s Agricultural Commissioner. The market manager must be given a copy of the certificate no later than the vendor’s first visit to the market.

Supplies and Equipment: Vendors are responsible for their own supplies and equipment, including tables, shades, scales, waste containers, brooms, bags, change and hand washing stations (when applicable).

Food Preparation: (except trimming) is prohibited in the certified portion of the market.

Scales: All scales must be tested, approved, and sealed by the county Agricultural Commissioner, Sealer of Weights and Measures. For further information contact: San Mateo County Agriculture Weights and Measures 728 Heller St, Redwood City, CA 94064. Phone 650.363.4700, Fax 650.367.0130.

Packaged Products: These shall be clearly labeled with the name and the address of the producer, the quantity (or weight) within the package, and all additives used in the preparation of the product.

Storage:Products may not be sold or stored on the ground. All products must be kept at least 6 inches above the ground.

Wholesale:The market is for retail sales only. Wholesale must be done off premise or after hours.

Food Sampling: Samples may be given in accordance with the following guidelines:

Keep samples in clean covered containers

Use toothpicks or disposable utensils

Dispose of pits, peels and waste in leak-proof garbage containers

Produce intended for sampling must be washed and cleaned, but not in the restrooms provided for personal use (contact Environmental Health at 650-363.4305 if you have any questions)

Utensils and cutting surfaces must be washed and sanitized (use a chlorine solution of one teaspoon or capful of liquid bleach per gallon of water) - not in the restrooms provided for personal use (reference the Environmental Health Hand washing Station Regulations)

Cutting surfaces must be smooth, non-absorbent and easily washable

Guarantee of Products: Vendors shall back the freshness and quality of their merchandise.

WIC Vouchers: All agricultural vendors shall accept WIC (Women, Infants and Children federal program) vouchers for unprocessed, fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetable and herbs. These vouchers may not be used for meat, honey, nuts, eggs, flowers or baked goods. The vouchers may be deposited at banks as cash equivalents or used as payment for space rental fees.

Live Animals: State law prohibits the sale of live animals from places where food is sold. Pets (i.e., dogs) on a leash are allowed.

Vendors of Non-Agricultural Food Products: (meat, fish, shellfish, smoked fish, jams and jellies, bottled sauces, and bakery products) must meet the following conditions:

Have a current Health permit from the San Mateo County Environmental Health Department

Bring a vehicle onsite (with the permit affixed to the vehicle). Any exceptions to this must obtain a letter from Environmental Health Agency granting exception.

The vehicle must have a sign with the name and the location of the company/vendor. Removable signs are satisfactory.

Inspections: There will be unannounced San Mateo County Agriculture and Health Department inspections throughout the market season. Vendors are responsible for all fines incurred as a result of non-compliance.

Reuse of Fruit/Vegetable Containers:

All non-applicable markings (including but not limited to brand marks, responsibility statements, identity statements, variety names, quantity statements and grade designations) must be removed.

The reuse of containers solely as platforms for display purposes is permitted.

Producers reusing containers for transporting to/from a certified market are not required to obliterate old markings. Such containers cannot be used for display/sale unless old inapplicable markings are obliterated.

Noise: No loud noise (i.e., shouting) is permitted. The market operator may use a public address system for entertainment purposes.

Conduct: Any statement and/or action deemed offensive, abusive or inappropriate to customers, market staff, other vendors, or government officials will not be tolerated.

Dress Code: All vendors and their employees must be cleanly groomed and appropriately dressed to work at the market. Inappropriate words or pictures on clothing will not be tolerated. Accordingly, those in violation of these standards will be asked to change or vacate the market immediately.

Additionally:

Vendors may withdraw participation from the market upon written notice to the market operator

Permission to participate as a market vendor may be revoked upon 30-day written notice

Failure to abide by the rules and regulations of the market shall constitute cause to revoke permission to participate in the market without the necessity of a 30-day written notice

The market operator will have the final authority in interpreting and enforcing all market rules. The market operator reserves the right to make additions or deletions to these rules when deemed necessary. Written notice of any changes will be provided to the vendors. If a vendor challenges the market operator in a court of law and the court rules in favor of the market operator, the vendor shall compensate the market operator with all costs incurred due to legal action

Violations of any of the above rules or policies may result in the following disciplinary steps. (severity of penalties is dependant upon the nature and intent of the offense and may not necessarily be incurred in the order sequence below):

POLICY ON SIGNS AND PERMITS FOR NON-AGRICULTURAL FOOD VENDORS

According to the information provided by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services Department, all non-certified operators (not farmers), must have the business name, address, and telephone number indicated on both sides of the vehicle exterior they use to transport items to the market. The letters must be at least 3 inches high and strokes at least 3/8 inch wide. Please be sure that this is taken care of before the market opens. You can purchase an inexpensive magnetic sign that can be removed. A cardboard sign should also satisfy the requirement. You must also have a valid health permit from San Mateo County Environmental Health Department 455 County Center, 4th Floor, Redwood City CA 94063. Questions -call the Health Department, 650.363.4305, Fax 650.363.7882.