Vendor Application

The purpose of High Desert Farmers Market/Big Bear Farmers Market is to bring a harmonious and festive atmosphere to accommodate the communities, residents, and its visitors. It is the goal of the Market to promote a wholesome, family atmosphere. The event is organized and administered by Kerri Santoro & Hillside Flower Growers in order to:

• Provide a forum for community activities
• To add a positive image of the High Desert/Big Bear and its community
• Maintain the center of social, civic, and retail activities
• Expose community members and visitors to fresh foods, quality & unique gifts, education and ideas offered by its participants including non-profit organizations. And, to make connections from Farms to Families

The High Desert Farmers Market/Big Bear Farmers Market must be consistent with these goals, including all its special activities.

The High Desert Farmers Market will take place at the Southeast corner of Deep Creek Rd and Rock Springs Rd Apple Valley CA

The Big Bear Farmers Market will conduct business at 42900 Big Bear Blvd, City of Big Bear Lake CA

Participants are defined as any vendor, retailer, grower, farmer, seller, crafter, or artist and upon acceptance or approval to participate. Agrees to do so in its entirety including, but not limited to promotions, events and activities to the best of their ability with quality and integrity.

Vendors must participate once space is allocated. The HDFM/BBFM will proceed as scheduled, rain or shine. There are no refunds given to a vendor if they decide not to participate on any day, for whatever reason.

It is the vendors’ responsibility to notify the manager/coordinator 24 hours in advance if they cannot participate for a legitimate reason.

Sales privileges and spaces may not be sold, sublet, transferred or shared in any manner.

Participants in the event, their employees, children and family members must be appropriately dressed neatly and clean. Anyone found to be disruptive, discourteous, showing prejudice, yelling, fighting, making derogatory remarks, inebriated or exhibiting any other acts of violent, or illegal behavior will be immediately dismissed. Animosity and other negative behavior will not be tolerated. Issues that need attention, shall be brought to management in a professional manner and with respect. Questions and concerns need to be addressed outside market hours, by contacting management either by phone or email.

The management reserves the right to dismiss, accept or decline vendors (are as described above) and/or commodities, for any reason, into the marketplace. Spaces and type of commodity may or may not be limited. Only quality products may be displayed and sold. The management reserves the right to remove unacceptable items for display. REPEATED problems regarding this matter and any other market rule violations, will only result in revocation from participating in the market. (Poor quality hurts everyone). Participants must first obtain permission from management BEFORE introducing any new product or commodity to the market.

Vendors must maintain the space provided in a clean and sanitary condition, including upon vacating the premises. Any spaces left in an unsatisfactory condition will be charged a $25.00 cleaning fee, due and payable before returning to the market. Vendors are to carry their trash out with them. All vendors are to provide a trash container at every booth for customers too.

No person shall deface or otherwise abuse the property, buildings, plants, or landscape. The coordinator is in no obligation to provide water or any equipment to participants. The event is only obligated to provide a space. Power cords are not permitted to be strewn across any part of the event area.

No person or business participating in the HDFM/BBFM shall state, imply, or otherwise suggest that San Bernardino County, City of Big Bear Lake, Big Bear Convention Center, Brusuz, Inc., Kerri Santoro or Hillside Flower Growers and its members endorses, sponsor, or supports the views of their organization, candidate, product, or service.

Management has the authority to assign and reassign spaces when the situation calls for it. Dimensions of the space are 10' X 10'. Vendors shall not move spaces without prior approval from management.

Participants must stay within their assigned spaces and out of fire lanes at all times.

There is absolutely NO outside solicitation, especially those businesses that are in direct competition, allowed at any of our events. Vendors are here to support this event and this establishment!

All tables used must be covered and draped over and should be no more than three inches from the ground. Displays must be inviting and attractive. Be certain that all fixtures are securely fastened as too not cause injury to anyone. Spaces shall be kept orderly at all times.

Copies of all necessary documents pertaining to individual status to participate in the HDFM/BBFM must be kept current and on file with the management by updating in this online application.

1. The Certified Farmers' Market operates in compliance with the Direct Marketing Act. Each grower is inspected by the Agricultural Commissioner's office of the county that they produce in.
2. All growers wishing to sell their crops directly to the public must contact the manager/ coordinator prior to participation for approval.
3. Vendors must clean up their assigned spaces before leaving and must provide their own refuse containers. City trash containers are not to be used for vendor debris.
4. It is the responsibility of growers to be familiar with all rules and regulations pertaining to the Direct Marketing Act and all other governing agencies pertaining to this event.
5. Certified producers must conform to California Code of Regulations Title 3. Food and Agriculture Division 3, Economics Chapter 1. Fruit and Vegetable Standardization Subchapter 4. Fresh Fruits, Nuts, and Vegetables Article 6.5 Direct Marketing codes   AND   All agricultural products, when sold or offered for sale at a certified farmers' market shall comply with all applicable requirements of articles 1 (beginning with section 27500), 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 13, and 15 of chapter 4 (California Uniform Retail Food Facilities Law), division 22, of the California Health and Safety Code, and chapters 1 (beginning with section 26000), 2, 4, 5, and 8 (California Sherman Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Law), division 21, of the California Health and Safety Code.
6. Certified producers may sample products only if they are in compliance with the San Bernardino county Environmental Health Dept.
7. Certified producers may sell for two other certified producers in a 12 month period. It is their responsibility to follow all laws pertaining to this requirement. CP must have 50% of their own production available at point of sale. Must be separated on table and posted.
8. Prices are to be clearly marked. Tables are to be covered. Produce cannot be placed on bare wood tables and must look attractive at all times. Canopies and fixtures are to be securely fastened at all times as to not cause harm to consumers or other vendors.
9. All closed or sealed container, bags, jars, etc. must be labeled with a name, address, and phone number with minimum weight clearly visible. Processed foods must also include ingredients on the label. Person's selling processed foods, such as baked goods must also obtain a health permit for the HDFM location.
10. Scales must be in compliance with the Department of Weights and Measure. Scales are sealed, calibrated, and tagged annually. Only a certified scale may be used, and must be in plain sight to the consumer.
11. Growers are to pay designated percentage of each week’s gross totals (this means before gas, employee pay, bags, food etc.) as space fee. This is to be collected at the end of the day. With complete sales and given to the management with the load slip completely and accurately filled out. Refusal to fill load slip out will result in a violation and fine due and payable by the producer, and shall be marked fused to fill out correctly.
12. Any grower suspected of buying wholesale and reselling will be reported to the Agricultural Commissioner office and The Integrity Task Force in Sacramento.
13. Growers with multiple locations may be asked to show proof of ownership or lease of land with producer's name listed as tenant or insured. Growers employees are to provide employee records.
14. Certified Producer's Certificate is to clearly be posted at every market.
15. High Desert Famers Market and its governing body and its designated agents shall implement and enforce all rules and regulations pertaining to the operation of a certified farmers’ market in a fair and equitable manner.

1. Food service vendors, including restaurants located within the perimeter of the event, may set up additional outside seating to expand their services area as long as the expanded seating area does not affect neighboring vendors or merchants and a five foot clear walkway is maintained for the public safety.
2. Participating restaurants will be subject to the same application and review process as all other food service vendors.
3. All food service vendors must have adequate trash containers for refuse as indicated by the market manager/coordinator.
4. Hand-washing facilities approved by the San Bernardino County Health Department must be provided within 100 yards of the temporary food facilities.
5. Food service equipment shall be equipped with tight-fitting closures to prevent the entrance of insects.
6. All condiments are to be individually wrapped or dispensed from sanitary pour, pump, or squeeze type devices.
7. All food service vendors must comply with requirements imposed by the San Bernardino County Environmental Health Department.
8. Barbecues: Within the perimeter of the event each with reserved space assigned. In order to retain the reserved space, all barbecues must adhere to the following rules:
1. The grill surface area may not exceed forty square feet.
2. Food must be kept at least two feet off the ground.
3. Barbecue operation must be kept within the space assigned.
4. At all times, the barbecue is to be surrounded by barriers set five feet away to protect pedestrians from flames, The barriers must be easy to move to provide emergency vehicle access. (This may require temporary placement of barriers on sidewalk areas.) Only standard starting fluid may be used. Each barbecue must have an approved fire extinguisher on site (minimum of a 2A-lOC, currently serviced). Propane usage must be pre-approved by the Bear Valley Fire Department. No wood will be allowed to be used as fuel.
5. Barbecue areas must be kept neat and clean at all times. Foods that are cooked on the barbecue must be dispensed directly from the barbecue unit to the customer, using sanitary utensils. No food preparation may take place outdoors except the cooking of foods on the barbecue and the application of condiments to the foods barbecued

*Applies to pre-approved vendors ONLY *

*Vendor map reflects MONTHLY participants – week-to-week are removed from map*

*If you do not reserve a space, you need to wait until 7:30AM for a non-reserved space*

• Pay Monthly – on the first market day of the month. Won’t need to reserve unless NOT attending
• Prepaid fee pays the space for that month ONLY – DOES NOT roll over if not occupied

• Call or Email – NO LATER than MONDAY 8:00 PM (for Apple Valley location); NO Later than FRIDAY 8:00 PM (Big Bear Location)
• Include your FULL name, previous attendance date and the location

*Management will contact you to assign space numbers.

**Both OPTIONS require to be set –up / unloaded BY 7:00 AM in assigned space (unless special arrangements have been previously made with management) We will fill the empty space by 7:30 AM with vendors waiting to set up (including the pre-paid monthly spaces) Vacant spaces reflect poorly on the overall appearance of the marketplace.

CONTACT THE FOLLOWING BUSINESS INFORMATION – NOT OUR PRIVATE NUMBERS; Email for the quickest response please.

Email: contact@highdesertfarmersmarket.com

Call: 760-247-3769 OR Text to 760-885-0403

Website: highdesertfarmersmarket.com; (Our social media pages are for marketing ONLY)

There are never guarantees in owning your own business, and there are elements and things we can’t control, however, we can maximize our opportunities by doing a few simple and free activities every week to increase our chances of a successful week.

• Communicate with ALL your friends and acquaintances, a day before, about what you are doing on market days. Invite them to come out for a look, and if they could, do the same with their circle of people they know (i.e. “Please pass the word along”). (Ask them for their “support”, this makes them feel appreciated and wanted) Use your phone contacts, computer contacts, Facebook, etc. Just this simple jester reminds people that we are here. The biggest comment we get from people is they simply forget about the market. SO REMIND THEM! BE FRIENDLY 🙂
• Be prepared and organized; and do this the day before the market. (This means having your vehicle loaded, having plenty of $1 and $5 dollar bills for change, cash in hand for space fee, etc.) There is nothing worse than not sleeping because you are worried about forgetting something. And a tired vendor is a non-functional, grumpy one. Customers sense that you are just not up to wanting to serve them as a customer, and they will move on! Not having change or a tired grumpy attitude can cause LOST SALES for your business.
• Be approachable and customer friendly; no one wants to feel as if they are bothering or interrupting you in your comfortable chair behind your book. Get on your feet and greet when customers are around. Say hello and smile at them, even if they don’t make eye contact at first. Be pleasant and positive, no matter what drama you’re dealing with. Be professional and treat them as you would a friend. Everything you do is to make the experience for the CUSTOMER a happy and stress free one. This is how you’ll keep them coming back to visit again! Repeat business is GOOD business!
• Keeping up appearances. Make your display easy on the eyes and attractive. Keep your space and the surrounding area CLEAN and free of trash at all times, including the end of the market. THIS IS MANDATORY FOR ALL VENDORS THROUGHOUT THE DURATION AND BEFORE LEAVING THE MARKETS! Make their parking as convenient as possible. YES, this means park as far away from the market as possible, so customers can park closer to the market.
• Marketing and Advertising; this is not just the market promoters job!!! Advertising is the most important job of each business owner. You cannot get customers if no one knows you exist!
  • If every vendor emails and texts their customer and friends 1x per week that will be thousands of reminders to potential customers.
  • If every vendor posts to Facebook or Instagram 4x a week that would create 100,000+ advertising hits and more potential customers.
    • Join Facebook as a business (this is a farmers market requirement)
      • Join groups such as ‘High Desert Deals’, ‘Victor Valley 411’, and MORE!
      • Advertise on the High Desert Farmers Market/ Big Bear Farmers Market Page.
      • Post photos and useful information, such as recipes, health tips, etc.
      • This is FREE Advertising Folks!
  • It is YOUR job, to market and promote yourself.

Join our social media accounts:
Facebook page
Instagram

You can post and tag us from your own page. However, you can also request to post to our page and then Shannon will publish it.

Kerri Santoro: The Boss Lady – owner/General Manager

Michelle Creget: Always smiling – Manager

Eileen Lee: Holds down the info booth – Assistant manager

Shannon Spini: Social Media and Web marketing manager

Gayland: Maintenance : makes us look good

Richard: Security – keeps us safe

Participant is not an employee, subcontractor, or otherwise agent of the High Desert Farmers Market, Big Bear Farmers market, Big Bear Convention Center, BruSuz, Inc., Juan and Janice Vasquez or Hillside Flower Growers . Participant status is as an occupant of ground space and is, therefore, not a tenant, licensee, or other form of permissive user.

Neither HDFM/BBFM their employees or management, their agents, employees, elected officials and volunteers, is responsible for theft, injury or damage to property belonging to persons participating in the HDFM/BBFM. It is agreed to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the HDFM/BBFM, as well as all agents, management, employees and its agents, etc. assigns from and against all injuries, whether personal or real, claims, damages, losses, judqements, liabilities, expenses and other costs including litigation and attorney's fees arising out of, resulting from or in connection with my participation in the High Desert Farmers Market/Big Bear Farmers Market.

I hereby state that I have read, understand, and agree to follow all Rules, regulation, standards and procedures outlined in the High Desert Farmers Market/Big Bear Famrers Market documents. I also understand that failure to conform to said rules may result in the PRIVILEGE of my participation in the fair being revoked. I have read and agree to the terms of the General Release.