Mission

The Farmers’ Market at Poplar Grove was established to provide a retail outlet for local growers and producers to sell their goods directly to consumers. The market strives to educate consumers on local farm products and practices, promote the use of local products and serve the community through programming and activities.

This Market is sponsored by Historic Poplar Grove Plantation in cooperation with Pender County Cooperative Extension Service and Pender County Tourism.  It is governed by a Market Steering Committee consisting of participating vendors, Pender Co. Cooperative Ext. Director and Poplar Grove staff.

Fees, Rules & Regulations for the Farmers’ Market at Poplar Grove

 Eligibility

1. Sellers must reside and produce the items they sell in the state of North Carolina .
2. Sellers must make or produce the items they sell (exception: see explanation of “carrying” below).  Only relatives or a member of the vendor’s farm or craft business may participate in the market.
3. Products that can be sold are:

      ·        Vegetables grown from seeds, sets, or seedlings by the seller
·        Fruits, nuts, or berries grown by the seller
·        Plants grown by the seller from seed, seedling, transplant or cutting
·        Bulbs propagated by the seller
·        Eggs produced from the seller’s hens
·        Meats from animals raised by the seller
·        Dairy products from animals raised by and made by the seller
·        Honey produced from the seller’s bees
·        Cut or dried flowers grown by the seller
·        Firewood cut by the seller
·        Straw baled by the seller
·        Preserves, pickles, relishes, jams, jellies and candies made by the seller
·        Baked goods baked by the seller
·        Seafood caught by the seller
·        Art or crafts made or crafted by the seller (see guidelines for non-farm craft)

4. With prior Market Committee approval, vendors are allowed to supplement their product with other locally grown or produced items (termed “carrying”); only if at least 60% of the value of the product offered each market day is grown or produced by the vendor.  All products must be clearly labeled with the producer’s name and location of production.  All products must be produced in North Carolina . Prior approval is required to sell any product other than what was initially applied for.
5. All products must be of top quality.

6. All prepared food items, meat, fish and cheese sold must meet state and local health regulations including the inspection of the prepared foods seller’s kitchen by NCDA health inspectors and labeling in compliance with the regulations.  Sellers must have a copy of their inspection form on file with the market manager, as well as with them when selling at market. All items sold must meet county, state and federal regulations.

Hours ~ Fees ~ Attendance

7. The market will operate from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Wednesdays.  2008 dates are April 9 through December 17.  Set up times are 7:00 - 8:00 AM.  Reserved booth spaces will be held only until 7:45 AM, unless you have notified the market manager.  Please move your vehicle (if applicable) and set up your booth by 8:00 AM before making sales. 
8. Sellers must pay an annual membership fee to participate: $50.00 to be submitted with a completed seller application.
9. Sellers must pay a daily fee of $10.00 for one space.  Daily fees may be paid on a monthly basis by the first of each month, (non-refundable), at a discounted fee of $30.00 per month or paid at the beginning of the season, (non-refundable), at a discounted rate of $250.00.   Due to the nature of the market layout, spaces vary in size; some spaces will accommodate vehicles (outer perimeter) and some will not (inner spaces). Maximum space size is approximately 20’ x 20’, if needed; actual space size may be less (if not needed).  Sellers may request and pay for up to 2 spaces.
10. Vendors must give 24-hour notice to the market manager if they will be unable to operate a reserved space.  Vendors may not sublease their space.
11. The market will operate rain or shine.  Sellers are required to remain on site for the entire duration of the market. 
12. Priority is given to vendors who attended at least 30 weeks of the previous season.  Returning vendors must submit their application by March 3, 2008 to exercise their right of first refusal.

Booth Space ~ Displays

13. Returning vendors that attended at least 30 weeks of the previous season will be given the opportunity to retain the same vendor space they were occupying at the end of the season.  Other vendors will be placed in the market space on an individual basis by the market manager.  (Please see #9 for booth size information.)
14. Vendor booths must be well organized, professional and easily accessible for the customer.  Products must be displayed on tables, not on the ground (with the exception of plants).  Vendors provide their own tables and displays. Tents, canopies or umbrellas are encouraged. 
15. Each booth space must have a sign indicating the name and location of the farm or business.  Prices must be posted for all products, or individually priced.  Descriptive signs for products and photographs are also encouraged.
16. Scales used must have a current state certification sticker visible.
17. No smoking is allowed within vendor booths.
18. Vendors are responsible for cleaning up their spaces at the close of each market day.  All trash must be hauled away.

Miscellaneous

19. No live animals may be sold or given away at the market.
20. The market does not offer exclusive rights to any one vendor to sell any one product.  However the Market Committee reserves the right to limit entries as they see fit to avoid repetition or excessive duplicate products in a category.
21. Pricing of goods at the market is the sole responsibility of the individual vendor.  However vendors are expected to be aware of and maintain fair market values.
22. All market members must conduct themselves in a professional manner, they shall not engage in unfair business practices.  The Market Manager and the Market Committee reserve the right to monitor vendors, booth spaces and the products sold to maintain quality and variety.