How do I contact the Bearspaw Lions Farmers Market manager?
Please email farmersmarket@bearspawlions.com and provide the following information:
1. Your full name
2. Your full Vendor name
3. Identify as current approved vendor or pending approval.
As a vendor, how early do I need to show up for the market?
We suggest arriving between 7 am and 9 am. You must be in your stall and your vehicle must be off the pedestrian walkway by 9:30 am. Vehicles will not be allowed into the market area after 9:30 am, as the market can be quite busy at this time. Give yourself plenty of time to be fully set up prior to the opening time of 10:00 am, as customers often show up early for breakfast.
Note: Stalls 1 to 10 please use main entrance. Stalls 11 to 60 middle entrance. Stalls 60+ please use west entrance.
What is the difference between a Farmers Market and a Flea Market?
All Alberta Farmers Markets must be registered with the Alberta Government and must comply with provincial guidelines. Alberta Approved Farmers Markets are administered by Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. For more information visit www.alberta.ca and in the Search field enter “farmers market”. You’ll see a list of documents outlining where the markets are, the guidelines and other useful information. To be a Registered Farmers Market in Alberta, at least 80% of what the market sells must be made, baked or grown in Alberta. The Bearspaw Lions Farmers Market is a Registered Farmers Market.
Unregistered markets and flea markets have few if any restrictions on what can be sold, and do not need to abide by the above MBG criterion.
What kind of products can I sell at the Bearspaw Lions Farmers Market?
Accredited Farmers market vendors must be primarily Alberta-based people who make, bake, or grow in Alberta what they are selling. At least 80% of the vendors at our farmers market must fall into this category. The other 20% can be vendors who buy and resell commercial products like clothing, health and body care, such as Tupperware or leather goods and other similar products or out-of-province vendors.
Jewelry, furniture and similar items sold at the Bearspaw Lions Farmers Market must be made by the vendor in Alberta. There are many trained artists, silver or goldsmiths working in Alberta with original and unique products that fit into the 80% group that we do not allow vendors to resell jewelry or similar items.
Who needs a Health Certificate?
Alberta Approved Farmers Markets are identified in the Alberta Public Health Act Food Regulation. Food vendors must have a current Alberta Health Certificate. You must be able to produce it on demand and our market is regularly visited by Alberta health inspectors who ensure the proper regulations for displaying and serving food are followed. Having said that, certain types of food do not require a Health Certificate. Contact Alberta Health Services to make sure.
Why are animals not allowed at the market? (restrictions do not include designated Service Animals)
With regard to the BPL Farmers Market decision to not permit any animals, other than service dogs/animals, we take these decisions very seriously.
Of note, the Alberta Health Services information for Farmers Market Managers and Stallholders states, “Ensure live animals are not permitted in food areas with the exception of service animals.” This refers to vendor’s booth areas.
Specifically, the BPL concern is the paved walkway can get quite congested during peak hours. Given there would be no ability to limit the number of animals entering the market site at any given moment, it is quite possible a significant number of dogs/animals could be on the walkway at any given time. People who are not comfortable around dogs may avoid our market should we allow animals, but those who own pets are certainly welcome to attend and bring their market purchases home to share with their pets. If Vendors with sample displays or patrons walking with food samples have confrontations it would cause distress and our goal is to continue allowing multiple access points and limit stress points.
We hope you can appreciate our choice to provide a safe and welcoming market site for all and continue supporting our vendors, market and Lion’s Club.
As a vendor, do I need liability insurance?
Vendors are required to have their own liability insurance in case someone trips over part of your display or is injured by something that blows off your stall in the wind. Your personal insurance carrier can probably accommodate you or you can get insurance through AFMA. Ask your insurance broker to name the ‘Lions Club of Bearspaw’ as “coinsured”.
Where do I get an application form to be a vendor?
Email the market manager at farmersmarket@bearspawlions.com
Do I need to fill out an application form every year if I’m a regular vendor at the market?
Yes, because details change over time and your product(s) might have changed as well. We must be informed if that happens.
When do I pay my vendor fees?
If you are a returning vendor, the payment schedule will be provided.
If you are new to the market as a pre-booked vendor, the manager will let you know how much you owe once you have been accepted. Do not pay until you have been confirmed by the market committee.
If you are a Day vendor, then you must pay each day you attend when the manager comes to collect – usually around 12 pm. Note that Day Vendors cannot be guaranteed a stall, and are likely to get a different stall at each market they attend.
How much do stalls cost?
The pricing may vary between stalls outside or in the main event venue space and number of weeks you wish to attend the market.
Please contact farmersmarket@bearspawlions.com for current pricing options.
What is provided to vendors renting a stall?
The vendors who rent space inside the event venue are provided with a table (8’ x 2 ½’) and a chair. Outside vendors must provide their own table(s) or product displays, a chair(s), and a tent/canopy with required 40lb weights/anchors to hold the legs down against the wind. Weights/Anchors must be physically attached to each tent/awning post. Tent pegs are not sufficient and are not approved. Please note: wind gusts can be very sudden and strong so tents/canopies must be securely tied down immediately after they are erected, even though there might not be any wind at the time.
The outside stalls are up to 12’ (W) x 20’ (L).
Useful Links:
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development: http://www.agric.gov.ab.ca/app21/rtw/index.jsp
Alberta Farmers Market Association (AFMA): http://www.albertafarmersmarket.com/
Alberta Health Services: http://www.albertahealthservices.ca
Guide to Food Labeling and Advertising: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/labeti/guide/toce.shtml
Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency: https://communityeconomicdevelopment.alberta.ca/grants-funding/alberta-livestock-and-meat-agency-alma/
