General Information:

• The Hattiesburg Market is located at Town Square Park, on the corner of Main St. and Buschman St. in Downtown Hattiesburg.

• The Hattiesburg Market is open every Thursday, March through November (excluding Thanksgiving Day), from 3-6PM.

• Applications must be submitted on-line or if printed and submitted manually, the application must be accompanied by the Market Rules and must be returned on a vendor's first Market day. The application serves as an acknowledged agreement between the vendor and the Market to abide by the Market Rules.

• The Market Board will have the final authority regarding the acceptance or rejection of vendors, their applications, and their products.

• The Market will strive to send notification of status to all vendor applicants in a timely manner, but please allow up to two weeks for processing.

​

Check-in Requirements:

• Market opens for vendors at 1:30 PM.

• Set-up should be completed by 2:45 PM. Market officially opens at 3 PM, but sales before official opening are permissible.

• Vendors arriving late should call Market Manager at least one hour before opening when possible.

​

2021 Fee Structure:

Daily: $10  or $290 for 34 week season

 

Products to be Sold:

The Market strives to achieve a balance of products. The Market’s ideal balance is

60% fresh produce

40% dairy, meats, food items, art work, crafts

 

Produce - Vendors are allowed to supplement their products with other products as long as the vendor grows at least 75% by value of the overall product that they offer for sale at the market. Farm inspections will be conducted on a random basis with 24 hours notice throughout the season in order to verify vendor compliance. Concerns regarding adherence to this policy will be addressed by the Market Manager directly to the vendor, and further information regarding the source of the product offered will be required. Farmer Cooperatives will be allowed to send a member to carry produce for the Cooperative when necessary, but we encourage individual members to bring their own produce.

 

Florists/Plant Nursery – Priority will be given to those vendors that raise their own plants. Flower and plant vendors are allowed to bring to the market plants purchased from a wholesaler and, in that case, must provide an appropriate sales tax number.

 

Food Items - All processed foods sold to the public must be manufactured in a commercial food processing facility with appropriate permits and licenses. Vendors must adhere to Government approved methods for preparing, storing, handling, and packaging of food products. All prepared foods must exhibit a list of ingredients if there are more than two, given in descending order of predominance by weight, and the name and complete address of the business. “Low risk” prepared foods, which include baked goods, honey, jellies, jams, cider, and sauces may be brought by farmers if the foods contain produce from their farm. Except for these “low risk” items, farmers must utilize an approved commercial food processing facility to sell any prepared foods.

 

Original Art Work- Examples are jewelry, ceramics, oils, water colors, photography, metal smithing, iron works and mixed media. These are to be offered for sale by the artist/producer of said goods or their designated representative only. No resale items permitted.

 

Crafts/Other - Craft items produced by the vendor include but are not limited to: dried flowers, wreaths, baskets, garden décor, woodwork, soaps, and clothing. No resale items permitted.

 

The Following Products Are Not Allowed at the Market:

Fireworks, firearms, knivesAny type of drugs/ paraphernalia, tobacco products of any kind, or pharmaceuticals, legal or otherwise Stolen merchandise of any kind, CDs, DVDs, videos which are pirated or dubbedNew, mass produced items sold in bulk (e x: t-shirts, sunglasses, posters, etc. ) Pornographic materialsAny items that by sale or possession are in violation of city, parish, state or federal laws

 

Civic Organizations Participation  Nonprofit, charitable organizations are welcome at the Market. All charitable organizations must fill out an application and be approved by the Market Manager. Organizations setting up information and donation-only tables will be allowed to set up free of charge. Organizations selling a product in order to raise funds will be charged the normal rental fee and be subject to the same regulations as other vendors.  The Market is a public space, not a public forum. Organizations espousing controversial and/or incendiary messages are not allowed.

 

 

 

 

 

Vendor Rules and Requirements

​

1. Vendors are responsible for their own sales taxes, licenses, permits and fees required for operation and will abide by all local, state and federal laws.

2. Food shall be clean, wholesome and safe for human consumption and shall be handled, stored, transported and offered for sale in a sanitary manner.

3. Food products can be cut or opened for displays at the market if properly wrapped, but cannot then be sold. Free samples may be given to customers in accordance with county health regulations. Disposable utensils (i.e., napkins, toothpicks, etc.) will be provided and disposed of by the vendor.There may be vendors selling similar items at the market. 

4. Vendors that offer resale produce (not grown themselves) must display signage that accurately conveys where the product was sourced from.

5. Each booth area is approximately 10’ x 10’.

6. THERE MAY BE VENDORS SELLING SIMILAR ITEMS AT THE MARKET

7. Vendors will supply their own tables, chairs, signage, scales, tents, displays, bags for customers and money for change.

8. Each vendor is responsible for keeping his or her own space clean and attractive and staying within his or her designated area. Failure to maintain space upkeep and cleanliness may result in disciplinary action. Upon closing of the market, spaces are to be cleaned by the vendor. Vendors are responsible for bringing their own equipment/utensils for clean-up.

9. The booth must be occupied by the vendor or one of their agents at all times while the Market is open

10. Vendors must supply their own sales equipment; scales, tables, chairs, display racks, display signs, bags for customers and money for change. Use of electricity requires Market Manager approval.

11. Tents or large umbrellas should be used by all vendors. Vendors should provide a sign posting their name and location of their farm and display a price list. Also, when applicable, vendors must be able to provide proof of license or permit. Signage is subject to the approval of the Market Manager. 

12. Vendors are restricted from attracting attention to items for sale by outcries in a loud or annoying, rude or offending manner. Vendors are expected to be courteous to customers, other vendors and the market manager and volunteers. 

13. Vendors are required to truthfully represent their products and operations. The Market in no way guarantees, warrants, or stipulates that any merchandise offered at the market either for sale or sample is organic. The Market requires the certification of “organic” products by the United States Department of Agriculture Organic Certification Program certified by the Mississippi Department of Agriculture. Vendors who use methods in accordance with these standards but are not certified, may not market their goods as “organic” and must use other terminology. We encourage vendors to communicate their agricultural practices with customers.

14. Each vendor may set his or her own prices. Prices should be set in keeping with customer satisfaction and consideration of other market vendors.

15. Each vendor is required to provide scales of demonstrative accuracy and price and sell products in an easily understandable manner: by weight or by the bushel, quart, pint or individual piece. 

16. Vendor will occupy and attend assigned space until at least 6 PM. A consistently full market is vital to its success and growth. Early pack–up or departure not approved by the Manager may result in disciplinary action, as outlined in section 22 

17. Vendors are allowed to set-up NO EARLIER than 1:30PM and NO LATER than 2:45PM

18. Market staff or volunteers may ask that you move your vehicle once you are unloaded. Leave all handicap spots open for handicapped customers.

19. Vendors are responsible for the cleanliness of their areas during AND after operation; public receptacles are NOT for vendors’ disposal of market waste so please bring a receptacle and take your trash to the dumpster located in the parking lot across the street.

20. Vendors are expected to be courteous to customers, other vendors, the market manager and volunteers. 

21. The booth fee must be paid at the beginning of the market day and is nonrefundable. A receipt will be provided by Market staff.

22. Rights Reserved by the Market Manager

    • Only the Market Manager or designated representative can close the market at any time other than that which is scheduled, except in the case of inclement weather, when vendors exercise their own judgment.

    • The Market Manager reserves the right to reject a vendor application if, in the Manager’s judgment, the goods, merchandise, or participation are not compatible with the overall concept of the market or are inappropriate

    • The Manager shall have the authority to oversee and enforce the Market Rules and has the right to refuse a vendor’s participation at any time for any reason violating the Market Rules. The Manager may also exercise Due Process for suspension in accordance with the following criteria:

      • 1) adequate verbal notification to the specific vendor by the market manager;

      • 2) written notification of suspension from the Manager based on noncompliance by the vendor to adhere to verbal and written direction;

      • 3) date scheduled to provide vendor the opportunity to address allegations with the Market Board for reinstatement. Decisions for appropriate discipline or notification of permanent suspension will be at the discretion of the Market Board.

    • The Manager retains the right to immediately deny a vendor the privilege of selling at the market for any of the following reasons: misrepresentation of products, poor quality of products or produce, nonpayment of fees, or disorderly conduct.

23. To the fullest extent allowed by law, each vendor shall indemnify, defend, save, hold harmless, protect and exonerate the Board, its directors, employees, agents, representatives, the Market Manager, and the State of Mississippi from and against all claims, demands, liabilities, suits, actions, damages and losses for personal injury, death or property damage, including, without limitation, court costs, investigative fees and attorneys’ fees arising out of such vendor’s operations on the Board’s grounds, and whether caused by the vendor or his agents, employees or subcontractors. Each vendor shall be solely responsible for all costs and/or expenses associated with such defense.

24. ​The Market Board reserves the right to revise the Downtown Hattiesburg Farmers Market rules and regulations at any time, but the new rules, with changes highlighted, will be immediately distributed among all interested parties.

 

​