Vendor Rules and Regulations

The Dalles Farmers Market’s mission is to educate and promote access to local foods and crafts that enhance the health and happiness of our community.

Our 2025 Market season will be located at:

The Dalles City Park
707 Union Street
The Dalles, Oregon 97058

thedallesfarmersmarket@gmail.com

The Dalles Farmers Market will occur:

Saturdays, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

June 7th through October 11th

Vendor Selection

Vendor participation at The Dalles Farmers Market (TDFM) 2025 season will occur after approval by The Market Manager. Vendor selection by the Market Manager will be based on product variety and quality, conduct, locality, and space availability. The Market Manager has the authority to decide on new vendors during the market season. TDFM will not permit candidates for office, PACS, special interest groups, petition gatherers and similar groups or persons to have a space within the market area.  Nonprofits that are permitted by the Manager must serve the greater community interest.  Nonprofits may come one time per season unless they are selling goods deemed by the Market Manager to bring value to the market. 

As our focus continues to be on local farmers and produce, we have limited the number of craft sites available at the market; 4 craft vendors for every 6 farmers/agricultural product vendors. 

TDFM may accept or refuse anyone as a market vendor. 

TDFM encourages all produce vendors to enroll and participate in The Farm Direct Nutrition Program (FDNP), which helps support seniors and those in need of assistance. Only vendors that are signed up to accept FDNP can accept these vouchers. To sign up with the FDNP program, apply online or call The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) at 877-807-0889, Option 2.

Click this Link: Resources for Farmers & Markets

Nonprofit Activities

Oregon Department of Agriculture allows nonprofit organizations to make and sell items such as jams, breads, cookies, candies, etc. to raise funds for non-profit organizations. Signage indicating food items were not made in a certified kitchen is mandatory. Ingredient labeling is not required for non-profits, but highly recommended to inform our shoppers with dietary restrictions.  Nonprofits must be present at the market at 8:00 a.m. No late setup, setup must be completed by 9:00 a.m.

Market Application

All vendors must be local which is defined as being within a 150-mile radius of The Dalles.

Every vendor must submit a completed application form and be approved before participation at The Dalles Farmers Market may occur.  These rules as stated are a part of the application and by submitting an application, the vendor agrees to abide by these rules.

Market Fees

Annual Market Membership Fee – $40

There is an annual fee of $40, due upon approval of application or no later than the first date vending at the Market.  This fee helps to enable TDFM to have the funds necessary to pay for use of The Dalles City Park, advertisement/marketing, staffing, and market necessities. If an application is denied, dues will be refunded. Nonprofits and children 12 and under are exempt from this fee unless the Nonprofit is selling items deemed to bring value to the market by the Market Manager, in which case the membership fee would be due when vending the second time at the market. At the discretion of the Market Manager, the Membership fee may be waived and the Nonprofit would pay only the booth fee as described below.

At the discretion of the Market Manager, the Membership fee for first time farmers may be waived until the 3rd time vending at the market.

Vendor Fee – $25 per market/per booth space

Every vendor is required to pay a weekly fee of $25 per booth space at the end of every market attended.  A zippered bag and vendor sales sheet will be delivered toward the beginning of every market and vendors must return the bag and completed vendor sales sheet including total sales with appropriate fee to the Manager at the end of every market.  All tokens, coupons/certificates and Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) must go in the bag and the vendor will be reimbursed by check. TDFM uses the information gathered to determine market growth, apply for grants and attract new vendors. Nonprofit vendors are exempt from this fee unless the non-profit vendor is selling, at which time the same booth fee will be applicable, after the first time at the market each season.

OTHER FEES:

• Electricity-$5 per market, and based on availability
• Leg weights if a vendor does not have them, see below-$5 per leg and based on availability

Booths – MUST be 12 feet by 12 feet (12’ x 12’ ) or smaller.

Northern Wasco County Parks and Recreation District requires canopies to be no larger than 12 x 12 feet.  All canopies, tents, or overhanging structures must have each leg weighted with AT LEAST 25 lbs to prevent them from blowing over. Stakes are NOT allowed. Vendors must use caution during set up and tear down before all weights are set in place. Vendors will be responsible for supplying, storing and hauling their tables, weights, and tent. If a tent is not properly weighted, the vendor will be asked to weight each leg properly or take their tent down.  

Vendors can rent appropriate weights from TDFM at $5 per leg.  Weights are based on availability.  Vendors should not rely on using TDFM weights.

Set Up

Vendors may begin setting up their booths 2 hours before the market opens and all vendors must be completely set up by market opening. Vendors must be at their booth location 30 minutes before market opening; those who show up later may lose their space to accommodate market flow. If running late, call the Market Manager by phone at 541-965-3658 to hold space. Vendors must park in the parking lot across the street. Parking on Union Street. is reserved for customers. Parking on the east end of W. 6th St. is prohibited by the City. This area is for loading and unloading only.  Vendors not following parking rules will be considered to be in violation of these rules.

Vendor setback is 3 feet from the sidewalk for walkway accessibility

Products & Product Regulations

No food or produce items bought from wholesale distributors or third parties will be sold at TDFM.  Vendors may only sell produce purchased from a second party if the produce was grown by the second party and the second party is also local. Vendors must have visible signage indicating where second party produce was grown and purchased. If a vendor does not fall under the Farm Direct Marketing or Home Baking Rules below, then please review the licensing requirements at this link: About Food Safety 

All food items MUST be appropriately labeled and sold according to Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) guidelines, available at the following websites:

Farm Direct Marketing Agricultural Products

1. OAR 603-025-0235 – Farm Direct Marketer Exemption – Legal language
2. Guide for Farm-Direct Marketing of Agricultural Products
3. Legal Guide to Farm-Direct Marketing

Oregon’s Farm Direct Marketing Law: Producer Processed Value-Added Products

Oregon’s Farm Direct Marketing Law: Producer-processed Value-added Products — A Guide for Farmers and Market Managers | OSU Extension Service

En español: La Ley de Oregon Sobre la Venta Directa de la Granja: Productos de Valor Agregado Procesados por Productores

Farm Direct Marketing:  Selling Eggs

Oregon Farm Direct Marketing: Guidelines for Selling Eggs | OSU Extension Service

En español: Pautas para la venta de huevos

Oregon’s Home Baking Bill

Oregon’s Home Baking Bill – PDF

En español: Excepción de cocina residencial para productos de panadería y confitería

Oregon’s Cottage Food Exemption

1. 2023 Updates to guidelines and labeling
2. Cottage Food Exemption FAQs
3. Full Cottage Food Exemption Rules: 603-025-0311 through 603-025-0335

En español:

1. Exención de Alimentos Caseros de Oregón
2. Preguntas frecuentes sobre la Exención de Alimentos Caseros

Market Labeling Requirements

Click Here for Market Labeling Requirements Instructional Chart.

All craft and artisan products must be made by the vendor with local materials to the maximum extent possible.  TDFM will assess products before acceptance.  

Insurance and Licenses

Liability insurance is required for all vendors by Northern Wasco County Parks & Recreation District and requires each vendor to add Northern Wasco County Parks & Recreation District as an additional insured to each vendor’s private insurance.  In addition, vendors must add The Dalles Farmers Market as additional insured to their insurance and show proof of both to the Market Manager.  Vendors are responsible for all damages and injuries acquired at or by their booths, produce, products or other reasons. All vendors must have at their booth, if appropriate: food handlers cards, proof of commercial kitchen, organic certificate, restaurant permit, and all other permits, licenses, certificates, etc. as required by law, see ODA Food Safety.

Signs/Labeling

Signs help to promote your business and contribute to your success and the success of the market.  Please be prepared for the wind.  Unsecured signs will have to be taken down.  The following are sign guidelines:

• Vendors must have a clearly visible sign (1 foot by 1 foot minimum) indicating the name of the farm/vendor and the city or town of the farm/business that must be clearly visible from the sidewalk/walkway.
• Products for sale should be labeled with the name of the product and priced either individually or by a price sign for groups of the same items, or one sign listing all products and prices.
• Signs indicating your participation with government programs including FDNP (WIC/SFDNP), must be prominently displayed.
• Farmers, Value Added Producers, and other vendors selling produce or other grocery items should display currency signs (provided by The Dalles Farmers Market) where customers can see them.
• Vendors are encouraged to have any signage in both English and Spanish.

During Market

Vendors should provide a pleasant, safe, family-friendly atmosphere during market hours. All items sold at TDFM should be of good quality. All vendors will follow regulations and rules set by NWCPRD and TDFM. Vendors will take all questions, concerns, and grievances to the Market Manager who will appropriately manage the issue. Market Manager has authority to remove vendor(s) or product(s) from the market.

Food Sampling

Vendors are encouraged to promote their products through sampling.  No license or permit is required to give out small samples (less than 3 ounces for food and non-alcoholic beverages), however, proper food safety practices must be followed when sampling food products to the public, including having a suitable hand washing station for the vendor in the booth where the sampling is taking place.  It is not for customers.  

All vendors sampling at TDFM will follow all safe sampling guidelines recommended by OFMA or required by any other agency.  Specific rules and regulations are on page 4 of this document.  

In addition, TDFM will require:

• Sampling vendors will have a secured wastebasket for customers to dispose of any sampling waste.  This waste basket is in addition to the wastebasket as part of the required wash station.
• All vendors offering alcohol tastings must comply with OLCC, OHA and ODA requirements.
• All sampling vendors understand that sampling protocols may change at any time in accordance with ODA, OFMA or TDFM guidelines.

Packaging and Serve Ware Materials

To minimize our impact to the environment, vendors should use eco-friendly packaging and serveware made from compostable or recyclable materials to the maximum extent possible.  Use of plastics is highly discouraged and use of Styrofoam is prohibited.  Examples of compostable packaging and serveware here:  https://www.goodstartpackaging.com

Trash

Vendors must remove all debris from the booth area and must dispose of excess cooler water off-site. A fine up to $20.00 may be assessed for noncompliance. In addition, hot food vendors are required to provide at least one lined trash can (30 gallon minimum) for customers to use at their booth.  Contents of the trash can must be removed at the end of the market.  

Electricity

Access to electricity is not guaranteed and is provided at TDFM’s discretion. Vendors approved to use electrical power are responsible for providing their own outdoor extension cords and mats or other means to cover all portions of the cord to prevent tripping or other hazards. Fee for electricity if approved for use is $5/market.

Use of generators is not permitted during market hours unless pre-approved by the market manager. 

Fire Extinguishers

Anyone using a grill, propane or electricity, must have one 2A10BC rated, portable fire extinguisher in their booth.

Animal Policy

No pets are allowed in the vending area including vendor booths.  Service animals only are permitted in vending area during the farmers market.

Sold Out

Vendors who sell out of goods are not allowed to break down their booths until the end of the market. If you sell out, you may post a “Sold Out” sign on your table and enjoy the rest of the market and are encouraged to be available to answer customer questions or take customer orders.  Vendors who have sold out must notify the Market Manager.

Break Down

Vendors may begin taking down their booths only after the market closes. In case of medical emergencies contact the Market Manager.  Vendors may take their tent down in the event of extreme wind for safety reasons.  

Publicity/Photo Release

Vendors are expected to contribute to The Dalles Farmers Market’s efforts to publicize the market.  Unless otherwise noted, vendors agree to allow TDFM or authorized individuals to take and publish photos containing their booth, anyone working the booth, and any products the vendor is selling.

Health & Safety

Stay home if you are sick or have been in contact with a sick person. 

The Dalles Farmers Market (TDFM) will follow guidance from the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to determine safe practices at market. 

Attendance

Vendors are expected to attend on the dates they indicated on their vendor application.  If a vendor must change their schedule, they must notify the Market Manager at least 24 hours in advance by email.  Vendors must notify Market Manager for unexpected/emergency absences to retain space at the market.  IF THE EMERGENCY OCCURS LESS THAN 24 HOURS BEFORE THE MARKET OPENING, VENDOR MUST CALL, (NOT TEXT), THE MARKET MANAGER.  Vendors failing to notify the Market Manager of schedule changes or emergency absences will lose their preferred space at the market and will be subject to violation notice and fee process.  

The Dalles Farmers Market Extreme Weather Policy

In the case of an extreme weather event or other emergency, the Market management may opt for an alternative venue to protect the health of vendors and shoppers. Should there be a change to the regularly scheduled operations, vendors will be notified by email and other means as necessary. In addition, several means of public notification will take place:

1) All means of social media will indicate the change.

2) Signs at both Union St. entrances to the park and in the surrounding area will be put in place.

3) Notification through the newspaper and/or radio station will occur as time allows.

Vendors, volunteers, managers and board members who are not able to attend a previously scheduled market due to weather events must contact the Manager by telephone to indicate they are unable to attend.

Heat Protocol

A heat wave index in the danger zone, 103F or higher, forecasted for market hours may result in  Market management changing the venue or excusing all vendors from the market at an earlier time than 1pm. This decision will be made in advance when possible. A sign indicating the market’s change of venue or hours due to inclement weather will be put in place for customers to note the change. 

Should Market management make a decision to discontinue the day’s market for the safety of all involved, all vendors, volunteers, managers and board members in attendance must leave the market as directed.

Any vendor, volunteer, manager or board members in attendance may be excused early if exhibiting signs of heat-related illness.

Smoke Protocol

A smoke quality index of “very unhealthy” or higher- 201 and above- may result in The Dalles Farmers Market changing venue or being canceled. This decision will be made by the Market management based on smoke levels throughout the week. Vendors will be notified as soon as a decision is made via email or other means as necessary. Signage will be placed at the park on the day of the market, as well as via social media and radio announcements.

Wind

Should the wind for a market day be excessive- sustained 20+mph and/or gusts of 30+ mph- the Market management may ask that no tents be put up for the day or to be taken down early. A forecasted wind event may also result in a change of market venue. If no venue change is made, vendors should plan accordingly with merchandise and displays. 

Hold Harmless Clause

All vendors participating in TDFM shall be individually and severely liable for any loss, personal injury, death, and /or any other damages that may occur as a result of the vendor, their employee, agent, or associates’ negligence. All vendors agree to indemnify and hold harmless TDFM and market board, staff and volunteers from any loss, costs, damages, or other expenses including attorney’s fees, suffered or incurred by participation at TDFM by reason of vendor negligence or intentional misconduct or that of its employees, agents, and associates. No insurance is provided by TDFM. 

Compliance and Enforcement of Market Rules

Vendors share responsibility for keeping TDFM viable and ensuring public safety.  By following the rules as stated in previous sections and as supplemented, vendors will remain in good standing and help create a safe, fun and profitable market environment.  Violation of the rules will put the vendor out of compliance and result in a range of consequences.  

If a vendor does not abide by the rules of TDFM, Market Management may take any action deemed appropriate, including verbal or written warnings, assessing fines, suspension or barring the vendor from selling at the market for one or more markets.  Market management also may require a vendor remove products from the market that were not approved or do not meet the rules for vending. 

Customers are essential to the success of the market.  Customer complaints may put a vendor out of compliance.  Such complaints or problems should be directed to the Market Management the week of their occurrence.  Complaints will be investigated by Market Management who will contact the business owner to address any potential noncompliance and any corresponding consequences/disciplinary action if found to be warranted.

Upon notification by Market Management, the vendor must correct the item of non-compliance(s) immediately or by the following week, whichever TDFM determines to be appropriate.  

Violations and Consequences:

If a vendor is suspended, terminated or expelled, they will forfeit all fees they have paid.

All rules of the market are enforced by the Market Manager or their designee, who has the on-site authority.  TDFM reserves the right to make exceptions to these rules and enforcement of policies at its discretion.

Issues

Vendors will take all questions, concerns, and grievances to the Market Manager or TDFM Board Member Vendor Liaisons who will manage the issue and notify the board when this occurs. The Market Manager can be reached at The Dalles Farmers Market at the Market Managers’ booth, by phone at 541-965-3658 or via email at thedallesfarmersmarket@gmail.com.  

Dispute Between a Vendor and Market Management/Appeal of Decision

Disputes between a vendor and manager(s) may be brought to the attention of the TDFM Board.

The Vendor may submit a written complaint to the Board and may attend the monthly meetings to discuss the complaint with the Board.  Complaints shall be addressed to:  TDFM Board President, P.O. Box 105, The Dalles, OR 97058.  All disputes and their resolutions shall be made at the next monthly meeting of the Market Board.  Decisions of the board shall be put in writing to the vendor

The Dalles Farmers Market, Inc. Assurance of Nondiscrimination

TDFM prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, creed, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, political beliefs, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. TDFM is committed to providing a safe environment for everyone.

Northern Wasco County Park & Recreation District: Rules and Regulations 

602 W. 2nd Street, The Dalles, OR 97058

• No person shall cut, remove, or damage any flowers, trees, or shrubs without prior obtained permission from the Executive Director.
• No person shall build any fire within any facilities except in a stove or fireplace provided therefore solely with the use of manufactured fuel.  
• No person shall permit any dog to run at large within any facility, and all dogs within the facilities shall be kept in control on a leash at all times. Owners and possessors of dogs within the facilities shall immediately remove feces deposited by dogs under their control.
• No motor vehicles or motorbikes shall be operated, stopped, parked, or left standing any place in a facility except on roads and parking areas provided therefore without a permit previously obtained from the Executive Director visibly displayed in the windshield of said vehicle.
• Speed limit 15 miles per hour within roadway located within the facilities.
• No person shall ride or drive any horse or non-domestic animal or permit any horse or non-domestic animal to go upon any portion of any public park except on the roads and regularly provided parking areas in said facilities.
• Parking, entering or remaining in facilities, with the exception of the Ted Walker Memorial swimming pool parking lot, in the night time, ½ hour after sunset, is prohibited and all persons shall be excluded from said facilities between 12:00 A.M. and ½ hour before sunrise or 6:00 A.M., whichever occurs first, except as may be permitted by order of the Executive Director.  
• No person shall mutilate, deface, injure, damage, or molest any building installation, personal property, or piece of equipment in any facility.
• No alcoholic beverages shall be allowed, or consumed in the facilities except as specifically approved by the Board of Directors which shall be solely approved in limited circumstances subject to the Board’s absolute discretion.
• No person shall engage in the sale or distribution of any merchandise or service or operate any concession within any facility without a permit previously obtained from the Executive Director.
• No person shall dump or dispose of any trash or garbage in any facility, except in receptacles provided therefore and generated through the use of the facility.
• No person shall scatter or dispose of any bottles, broken glass, waste, or discarded paper or litter or waste material of any kind in any facility, except in receptacles provided therefore.
• No person shall conduct himself or herself in a disorderly manner in any facility.
• No person or persons shall operate or play any amplified musical instrument or any equipment manufactured primarily for the purpose of amplified sound, or any amplifying microphone in any public park without a permit issued by the Northern Wasco County Park and Recreation District, applied for at least 5 working days in advance of the proposed use. The issuance of a permit shall not be construed to give the holder the right to create a public nuisance by the use or operation of the instrument, equipment, or microphone.
• No person shall possess a firearm as defined by ORS 166.210 (2) or weapon as set forth in ORS 166.275 in a district facility without a permit issued by the Executive Director.
• No person shall provide food or beverage for sale or distribution to the general public without first obtaining a permit from the Executive Director.
• No person shall provide food or beverage for sale or distribution to the general public without first obtaining a permit from the Executive Director.
• Persons are prohibited from using tobacco products in district facilities, including parking lot areas, at all times.
• Section 3. Any person who violates any of the foregoing rules and regulations shall, upon conviction thereof in the recorder’s court, be punished by a fine of not more than $250.00 per ORS 198.600, or by imprisonment for not more than 5 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

Hemp/CBD Products

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) requires registration of all industrial hemp growers and handlers.  TDFM requires those registrations to be verified before the products can be sold at the market.  TDFM will accept hemp/CBD products only derived from registered growers in Oregon. TDFM welcomes non-edible legal hemp/CBD products.  All products must be labeled and include information on all ingredients including testing results for pesticides, solvents and potency.

Single-Use Bag Ban

OR HB 2509 went into effect January 1, 2020 and stipulates that vendors cannot provide a single-use paper or plastic bag at the time of checkout (i.e. when you are taking money for a customer’s purchases). Exceptions are outlined below. Vendors may: 

• Continue to provide self-serve, handle-less paper or plastic produce bags for customers while shopping at a time other than checkout, in order to package bulk items such as fruit, vegetables, nuts, grains, etc. 
• Continue to provide paper or plastic bags at a time other than checkout to contain or wrap frozen food, meat, fish, flowers, a potted plant or another item for the purpose of addressing dampness or sanitation. 
• Continue to provide paper or plastic bags at a time other than checkout to contain unwrapped prepared foods or bakery goods. 
• Provide any of the following reusable bags, at a time of checkout, for a minimum $0.05 per bag charge: 

(a) A 4 mil thick plastic bag (technically considered a reusable bag)
(b) A recycled paper bag (at least 40% post-consumer recycled fiber) or
(c) A reusable fabric checkout bag, made out of cloth or other machine-washable fabric 

• Vendors may provide recycled paper checkout bags or reusable plastic checkout bags for free:
  • To customers using a WIC Voucher 
  • To customers using an electronic benefits transfer card (EBT) issued by DHS (such as Oregon Trail/SNAP EBT card) and by extension, SNAP (Oregon Trail) tokens, Market Match Tokens, and Double Up Food Bucks.
• Prepared food vendors such as food trucks may provide recycled paper bags at no cost to customers. 

Currency Guidelines and Reporting

TDFM utilizes a variety of currency, tokens and coupons/certificates to enable consumers to buy vendors’ products.  This is consistent with our mission of increasing food accessibility.  At the Market Managers’ booth, we accept Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Checks, and SNAP/EBT Cards for Tokens.  Please read the attached Currency Guide for details about how to accept each token, Double Up Food Bucks or FDNP voucher.  Please remember:

• • Turn in your tokens, Double Up Food Bucks and promotional coupons/certificates every week you are vending at the Market Managers’ Booth in your vendor bag.  You will be reimbursed by check.  FDNP vouchers are not to be turned in, but processed online per Oregon Health Authority instructions.
  • You will not be reimbursed for tokens, Double Up Food Bucks or coupons/certificates which you are not eligible to accept.
  • Never give tokens or DUFBs back to a customer as change.
  • When no change is allowed for a token, DUFB, voucher or coupon/certificate, please work with shoppers to ensure they receive their full value.  Customers can supplement tokens, DUFB, vouchers and coupons/certificates with cash.
  • All vendors must track and report weekly total gross sales for our records along with total sales by categories of token, DUFB or coupon/certificate shown on your sales sheet provided in your market vendor bag.
  • It is mandatory that all vendors also accept cash.  If a customer runs out of cash, you can direct them to the Market Managers’ booth to purchase $5 tokens with their debit or credit card that they can then use like cash.
  • Vendors are not required to accept checks, debit/credit cards.  Customers can use them at the Market Managers’ Booth to obtain $5 tokens.

• Be prepared for your cash sales by bringing sufficient change for the market day.