Mission Statement
The Boyne City Farmers Market is committed to creating an inclusive environment where the entire community can gather, shop and eat locally all while enjoying the diversity of Northern Michigan. We aim to support our local farmers, artisans, and food producers by providing them an avenue to cultivate their small business while promoting a healthy and community based lifestyle.
Market Location and Schedule
The Boyne City Farmers Market is held Wednesdays and Saturdays during the summer at Veterans Park in downtown Boyne City. Please make note of the two dates the market will be relocated to Peninsula Park.
Outdoor Market
- May 18th through October 12th, 2024
- 8 AM to 12 PM
- 8AM- 1PM: May 25th, June 22nd, July 6th, & August 31st
- Wednesday & Saturday (Saturday only effective after September 28th)
Indoor Market
- October 19th 2024 through May 10th, 2025
- 9 AM to 12 PM
- Saturday Only
Peninsula Park dates: July 13th and August 10th, 2024. Instructions will be provided prior to market dates.
The Indoor Market is a separate market with a separate application. Look for the Indoor Market Application in September.
The market manager has discretion to adjust the dates of the indoor market. Summer vendors may join us outside but must pay the daily drop-in fee.
Eligible Items for Sale at the Market
The farmers market will cater to high quality homemade and homegrown products. The following list of items eligible to be sold may be expanded at the discretion of the market manager:
- fruits, vegetables, field crops, herbs, nuts, berries, sprouts, and grains
- plants, flowers (fresh or dried)
- trees & shrubs
- honey, maple syrup
- baked and canned goods
- eggs & meat products, dairy
- mushrooms (foraged or cultivated)
- hand crafted artwork (approval required: see guidelines below)
Market Vendor Requirements
- All items sold by a vendor must have been raised, prepared, gathered, or produced within a (30) thirty-mile radius of Boyne City and within Charlevoix, Antrim, Emmet, Cheboygan, or Otsego counties. The vendor may not bring in products he/she has purchased from someone else for resale at the Boyne City Farmers Market.
- The Boyne City Farmers Market Committee may allow producers outside of the (30) thirty-mile radius or other northern Michigan counties to participate in the market if the committee feels the producer’s products will fill a void and/or niche and if the producer’s products are supportive of the goals of the Boyne City Farmers Market.
- All items for sale must be visibly labeled with prices in accordance with state regulations. Vendors selling eggs, meat, or other perishable products must keep the products at an appropriate temperature in accordance with state regulations.
- The Boyne City Farmers Market Committee may allow, in its sole discretion, seasonal market vendors to sell approved synergistic products. Daily vendors are not allowed to sell these products. Synergistic is defined as a product which is not grown or produced by the vendor. The market manager determines the eligibility of products.
- Farmers shall sell only agricultural, horticultural or food items they themselves have grown in our 5-county area. Important: No reselling of any fruits or vegetables will be tolerated. If a vendor has been found to be selling items that they have not grown within the 5-county area, they will be asked to remove the items from their booth. If the vendor continues to sell products that they did not grow, they will be asked to leave the market and will forfeit booth fees.
- Bakers, cooks and non-produce vendors shall sell only products they make. Local ingredients should be utilized wherever possible.
- To maintain a healthy farmers market, price-cutting of top-quality products is discouraged. Poor quality or over ripe produce must be labeled as such and may be sold at a discounted price.
- Vendors wishing to operate under the Cottage Food Industry Law must abide by all rules governing that law, as well as sign a document indicating they understand these rules. Goods must be properly packaged and labeled with all information specified by the Michigan Cottage Food Law. Their products will be inspected by the market manager, who has authority to ask a vendor to remove a product not in compliance.
- All vendors are required to comply fully with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Health Department Food Handling & Sanitation Rules and Regulations along with all federal, state, and local law and will hold the market harmless regarding the same.
- It is strongly suggested that anyone eligible participate in Bridge Card, Senior Project Fresh, Double-Up Food Bucks and WIC. When doing so, all vendors must complete all paperwork and follow the rules governing these programs that will be explained at the mandatory meeting.
- All vendors must turn in a completed vendor application before attending the market. Copies of all appropriate licenses/permits must be attached to the application. And a comprehensive product list must be on file with the market manager.
- The Boyne City Farmer’s Market Committee, at its discretion, reserves the right to refuse any vendor or product and to make all decisions regarding the implementation and management of the Boyne City Farmers Market.
Application Process
When accepting vendors to the market, we will consider the following criteria:
- Number of years participating in the BCFM
- The distance vendor produces products from the market
- The vendor’s record of attendance in previous years at the Boyne City Farmers Market, including tardiness and leaving early without permission
- Vendors who sell at the market twice a week throughout the season are preferred over vendors who only come to the market on Saturdays or Wednesday in prime harvest season
- Vendors who commit and pay for the full season as opposed to daily vendors
- The amount of local ingredients used in baked goods, jellies, relishes, etc. (for example: a pie with local fruit is preferred over one with canned fruit)
- The number of vendors already selling the same fruit, vegetables, baked goods, etc. as the applicant
Fee Schedule for the 2024 Summer Season
Saturday & Wednesday Season Rate
- 10 Foot Space: $410
- 15 Foot Space: $615
- 20 Foot Space: $820
Wednesday Only Season Rate
- 10 Foot Space: $290
- 15 Foot Space: $435
- 20 Foot Space: $580
Daily Fee
- $ 40 (no guarantee for same space each time)
Upon processing the vendor’s application, the market manager will assign all vendors their space. In order for a returning vendor to keep their space from the previous year or request a different space, those vendors will need to return their applications by 4:30 P.M., Friday, March 22nd, 2024.
Boyne City Main Street
113 S. Lake St.
Boyne City, Ml. 49712 or by
Email farmersmarket@boyecity.com
After March 22nd, the market manager will begin to assign the spaces. Turning in your application does not guarantee your request will be granted or that you will have the same space as the previous year. The market manager will make all efforts to accommodate specific space requests within the limits of the market configuration and space available. Past market attendance, market history and product profile will all be considered when assigning market space. All requests will be considered.
Mandatory Vendor Meeting
April 17th, 2024 from 11AM to 1 PM at Veterans Park Pavilion, Boyne City.
Please be present at the meeting to discuss the upcoming market season, seasonal space assignments, vendor expectations, market manager responsibilities & goals. Lunch will be provided.
If you have not paid by April 17th please bring a check for full seasonal payment made out to Boyne City Farmers Market. If you need to make payment arrangements please contact the market manager prior to the meeting.
Market Manager: farmersmarket@boynecity.com / 231-582-9009
Vendor Policies-
- Each vendor must provide his/her own equipment, supplies and materials, such as their own tables, chairs and boards from which to sell their products. All vendors must supply sacks or other containers for product sales. Vendors must have their own tent to participate in the market.
- Parking behind booths is limited to ONE vehicle or one vehicle with trailer. All vehicles and trailers must fit within allotted space. NO parking over the sidewalk is permitted.
- Each vendor will be responsible for his/her own area and for the clean-up at closing, including garbage & flower/produce clippings. All refuse must be taken with the vendor or disposed of. DO NOT use the park waste receptacles or the market trash can, vendors are responsible for their own waste.
- Vendors should provide a clean personal appearance to reflect positively on the market.
- No smoking will be allowed by vendors in the park, or within 30 feet of the park, during market hours.
- Shoes and shirts must be worn by vendors during market hours.
- Vendors are not permitted to bring dogs or other pets to the market, per city ordinances. Certified ADA service dogs are allowed.
- Children under the age of 16 cannot sell products without adult supervision.
- Products and signage are to be displayed within the boundaries of the vendor’s space. No stakes are allowed.
- The only signage in the fairway will be placed by the market manager.
- A seasonal vendor cannot designate who gets their space if they are not present, nor can the sublet their space.
- In order to claim their weekly reserved spot, a seasonal vendor must be present by 7:30 AM. Unless previously arranged with the market manager. After 7:30 AM, the space maybe used by another vendor.
- If a vendor is going to absent they must call or text the market manager no later than 7 AM the day of the absence to avoid an unexcused absence and allow time to fill your space.
- The market closes at 12 PM. Do not pack up your booth prior to this time unless you have authorized an early departure with the market manager.
- Vendors will be invoiced for the assigned space upon approval of their application.
Service Organizations
A few spaces will be reserved for Boyne City non-profit service organizations. Permission to participate will be granted by the market manager. The service organizations must contact the market manager prior to being allowed at the market.
Enforcement of Rules
The market manager has full authority to enforce all rules. All problems and conflicts should be directed to the market manager. The market manager has the right to deny a vendor the privilege of selling at the market (reasons may include lack of license, misrepresentation of products, non-payment of fees, poor quality of products, leaving area littered, excessive tardiness/absences or disorderly conduct). The vendor can appeal the decision by following the market grievance procedure. A copy of this form is available from the market manager.
Rules are subject to change by the market manager and Farmers Market Committee, and approval by the Main Street Board.
Apply to be a Vendor at the Boyne City Farmers Market