Vendor Information Packet
The Sparta Farmers Market exists to provide a venue for vendors' locally
grown food and handcrafted items as a community service to Sparta.
We strive to promote better health through better nutrition and education.
Contact information:
Facebook page: Sparta Wisconsin Farmers Market
email: info@spartawifarmersmarket.com
The complete Venfor Information Packet and application can be downloaded here.
2024 Vendor info coming soon!!
Sparta Farmers Market
Vendor Information Packet 2023
Our mission statement:
The Sparta Wisconsin Farmers Market Association, Inc. exists to provide a
venue for vendors of locally grown food and handcrafted items as a
community service to Sparta. We strive to promote better health through
better nutrition and education.
Contact information:
Facebook page: Sparta Wisconsin Farmers Market
Email: spartawifarmersmarket@gmail.com
Sparta, WI Farmers Market Association
Vendor Guidelines 2023
The Sparta Farmers Market is located at Mueller Square on North Water Street in
downtown Sparta and across the Water St. Bridge in the Creekside Market area. We have
a permit with the Sparta Park Board to use these spaces at specific dates and times of the
market season. While we are largely self-governed, the City of Sparta does have some
input into how the Market is conducted. The liaison between the Sparta Park Board and
the Market is the Sparta Wisconsin Farmers Market Association Board of Directors.
Market Dates & Times
The Market will operate every Saturday, May 13 to October 14, 2023
Saturday market times are 8 AM to 1 PM
3 Tuesday Night Markets: June 20, July 18, August 15
4:00 – 8:00 PM
We are a Producer Market
All produce, arts, and crafts displayed for sale must be produced locally by the vendor(s).
We accept vendors from Monroe County and the contiguous counties (Jackson, Juneau,
La Crosse, and Vernon).
Resale will not be allowed. Potential craft vendors will submit several photos of their
product to the Market Board for approval.
Set-Up Guidelines
1. The Market Board will assign spaces for the vendors based on Market layout,
seniority, commitment, and vendor needs and market participation.
2. Vendors with Market houses must treat the buildings with care and leave
them clean and vacated of belongings at the end of the day.
3. At Mueller Square you can unload from 2 locations: A.) The parking lot
behind the buildings north of the market area, accessible from Franklin
Street. B.) Water Street in front of the Market entrance. - vehicles must be
moved after unloading and should not be parked on Water St.
4. In the Creekside Market Area, vendors can briefly park in front of the houses
to unload but need to leave the area and park in the Market Square parking
lot.
5. All spaces not occupied by 7:30 am (Saturday) will become available for
other vendors.
6. Vendors must not make any early sales. Start time will be signaled and/or
recognized by a timekeeper (use a cell phone for accuracy). Signage will be
displayed stating no early sales.
7. Vendors need to communicate their absences to the Market Coordinator by
Thursday so spaces and houses can be filled. If a vendor will be running late,
they must call the market manager to notify.
Market Responsibilities for Vendors
1. No smoking in market areas.
2. Vendors are expected to conduct themselves in a courteous manner to other
vendors, the Market Coordinator, and customers. Threatening, abusive, or
harassing behavior will result in dismissal from the market and loss of
membership. No refund of dues or fees.
3. Vendors are responsible for the behavior of their children, if brought to the
market. Disruptive behavior won’t be allowed, and they will be asked to
leave.
4. No political or religious solicitation is allowed by Vendors or customers. There
will be no soliciting, petition signatures, or sign-ups in the market area or at
the entrance to the market.
5. Local Non-profit organizations with approval from the Board may be allowed
to sell raffle tickets for their cause up to 2 times per season and will set up
where assigned if there is room within the market areas.
6. The Sparta Farmers Market Association is not responsible for any lost, stolen,
or damaged possessions of Market Vendors during or between Market days
and hours.
7. Emergency: If storm sirens are sounded, Vendors should close shop
immediately and seek safe shelter.
8. Vendors are responsible for their own product liability and insurance.
9. Vendors providing food samples need to follow safe and hygienic food
handling procedures.
Samples must be stored in rigid, covered containers until serving, held
and dispensed under sanitary conditions.
All vendors giving free samples must provide a waste container in a
prominent place for use by the public
10. Photos will be taken during the market to be used for marketing purposes.
11. Vendors using canopies must secure each leg with at least 20 lbs. of wt. Any
canopy not secured by weights or stakes must be removed.
Vouchers and Licensing
1. Any vendor who accepts WIC and Senior Nutrition Vouchers must display
the sign that lists their vendor number. You must be a registered Farmers
Market vendor with the Monroe Co. Health Department to receive WIC and
Senior Nutrition Vouchers. Do not accept vouchers and then expect other
vendors to cash them for you. This is a violation. Call 608.269.8695 for
information concerning registration for vouchers.
2. Vendors wishing to sell meat, poultry, eggs, processed foods, or baked
goods are responsible for complying with all federal, state, and local statutes
and obtaining any necessary licenses and must be able to provide evidence
of such. Please reference the documents from https://datcp.wi.gov for
requirements for the “Cookie Bill”, “Pickle Bill”, as well as various
requirements for selling eggs, meat, and dairy. Copies of pertinent licenses
must be attached to your vendor application, including all organic
certifications. The Sparta Wisc. Farmers Market Assn. is not liable for any
legal action or fines that a vendor may incur because of non-compliance.
Important 2023 Dates
Butterfest – June 8 – 11
Special Tuesdays, 4 – 8 PM: June 20, July 18, August 15
Crazy Days – July 15
National Farmers Market Week - August 6 - 12
