How to get accepted at a farmers market
Where vendor applications live, what markets ask for, and how to make yours easy to say yes to.
Updated
Find the application
- Start with the market's own website or Facebook page. Look for "Vendors," "Apply" or "Become a vendor." Many markets use an online form.
- Use the market's page on Booth Barn. Each market page links to the market's website and social pages. Markets run by a verified organizer that are taking vendors have an Apply for a booth button right on their page, and some share one application link, like boothbarn.com/apply/[market].
- Browse markets taking vendors. With a free Booth Barn shop, Find markets to sell at on your Markets tab lists markets run by verified organizers that are taking vendors, with booth prices. Apply right there with your shop. Booth fees go to the market directly, never through Booth Barn.
- Apply to more than one. Popular categories fill up, so a few applications at once gives you better odds.
What markets usually ask for
- What you sell, with good photos. Clear photos of your products, and of your booth if you have one set up.
- Liability insurance. Many markets want a certificate of insurance, often naming the market as an "additional insured." Some let new vendors get it after they're accepted. Uptown Farmers Market in Phoenix, for example, asks for at least $1,000,000 per occurrence once you're in.
- Your sales tax license. In Arizona that's a TPT license. See do I need a TPT license?
- Food paperwork, if you sell food. Homemade food needs a cottage food registration in Arizona. See our cottage food guide. Other food may need a county permit.
- A booth fee. Some markets charge a flat fee per day, others a share of sales (Uptown's is 10%). Read how and when you pay.
Make it easy to say yes
- Say what makes you different. Markets try not to put five of the same booth side by side. Tell them what's yours alone.
- Fill in every field. A complete application with photos is quicker to approve.
- Read the market's rules before you apply. Setup times, tent rules and what they allow. Uptown, for example, wants cars out 20 minutes before opening and booths ready 10 minutes before.
What to look out for
No reply can mean the category is full. Some markets say they may not answer when a category has no room. Ask about a waitlist, and keep applying elsewhere.
Don't pay for insurance changes too early. Uptown tells new applicants not to add the market to their policy until they're accepted.
Big fees up front for an event you can't check? Read how to spot a fake vendor event before you pay.
Show markets your shop
A Booth Barn shop is a link you can put on any application, with your items and photos in one place. Free to start, and we never take a cut of your booth sales.
Start your free shopSources
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change, so check with the office above for your situation.