Due to the large number of vendors already on our roster, we have changed our application process. Applications are only open twice per year – the month of June and the month of December. Click the link below to learn more.
So You Want to Be a Vendor…
The Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market is open every Saturday, September through July, on N. Kentucky Avenue. in Downtown Lakeland. Market hours are September – May 8am-2pm; June & July 8am-1pm.
We emphasize handmade, homegrown, wholesome products, with a few exceptions that are carefully controlled. For this reason, not all vendor applications are accepted. Careful consideration is given to the product mix at the Market as well as products that might compete with our Bricks & Mortar Downtown neighbors. Highest priority is given to produce and other high quality packaged food products that support a farmers market atmosphere.
Space is limited by product category, not necessarily by the Market’s overall space availability. We are not a “flea market” or a place for ordinary resale of products or independent consultants/distributors or marketing of service businesses looking for a place to advertise or collect new clients. Non-food vendors must meet high standards of craft/artisan designation by the Market committee.
***Applications are closed until the next open application period beginning June 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2024.
Updated March 2024
We have met our limit for the following products at the Market at this time.
- Honey
- Ice cream
- Shaved ice, Sno-cones
- Coffee & Coffee Products
- Bottled Juices
- Lemonade – all ready to drink drinks
- Hand crafted wood signs
- Steel cut signs and decor
- Embroidery items
- Crochet items
- Macrame items
- Resin items
- Polymer Clay items
- Screen print items (including but not limited to T-shirts, other clothing, bags, stickers, decals. etc)
- Sublimation items
- Re-sale of herbs/plants
- Popcorn Products
- Candles/Essential Oils
- Aromatherapy
- Soaps/bath products/body products
- Jewelry
- Headbands/hair accessories
- Pet items/treats/apparel
- Fudge
- Baked goods – cupcakes, cakes, cookies, muffins, pastries, etc.
- Hats, bags, purses
- Guacamole
- Wreaths
Vendors applying with any of these products will most likely not be accepted.
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There are many products that are not appropriate for the Market including but not limited to:
• businesses who want to advertise a service
• businesses with an existing bricks & mortar (commercial/retail location)
• multi-level marketing products
• mass produced, manufactured items that are re-packaged and/or minimally altered by the vendor
• items that are pre-manufactured such as tumblers, mugs, t-shirts, etc.
• advocacy groups that are not a 501c3 organization – either selling items or dispersing information
• Political groups or candidates
• CBD products
• Supplements
How does the application process work?
Applications are only open twice per year – June 1 to June 30 and December 1 to December 31. Market staff will review all applications submitted in July (for June applications) and January (for December applications) and notify vendors of their status in July and January – either accepted or not accepted. There is no longer a waitlist.
STEP 1 : Get to Know the Market
Before applying to be a vendor, we suggest visiting the Market to browse the products sold and experience its atmosphere. The Market Manager is on site each Saturday to manage the operations of the Market. She is NOT available to discuss the vendor process in detail on these busy Saturdays, which is why the process is detailed here. You may also want to speak with some of the vendors to get their experiences at the Market. Our Facebook page is another great way to get a feel for what goes on here and get a sense of our community.
STEP 2 : Review the Vendor Agreement and the Rules & Regulations
You can read a generic version of the agreement details at this link: AGREEMENT DETAILS
Vendors do not “rent space” at the Market. Fees are based on the vendor’s rate for Shared Marketing Costs (SMC). You can read about Shared Marketing Costs in the agreement details linked above. Accepted vendors start out as PART TIME. Market staff will evaluate Vendors after a period of time and “invite” vendors to be full time.
QUICK FACTS TO NOTE:
- Vendors do not need a business tax license from the city or county IF THE ONLY LOCATION THEY SELL THEIR GOODS IS AT the Downtown Farmers Curb Market. The Market’s tax licenses cover the vendors at the Market but not other markets or locations that vendors wishes to participate in. Vendors who sell at other locations besides the Downtown Farmers Curb Market, including ONLINE SALES, still need a county and city business tax license to sell at those locations.
- All Vendors who sell taxable foods/goods must have a sales tax ID number. Be prepared to send a copy of your tax ID certificate as part of the required documents. You will also be required to display your certificate at your booth each Saturday.
Food Vendors have different criteria depending on whether they qualify under the Cottage Food Act or require state licensing through the Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) or the Department of Agriculture (see links at the bottom of the page). But all food vendors & some farmers are required to have general liability insurance with the LDDA and City of Lakeland as an additional insured. See the details about this in the vendor agreement details text linked above.
To better understand the required food licenses, etc. please refer to this diagram:
FOOD LICENSES DIAGRAM
NON-FOOD Vendors require only a sales tax certificate.
STEP 3 : Complete the New Vendor Application Online Form Below during the open application periods: June 1-30 and December 1-31. Be sure to list IN DETAIL ALL the products you wish to sell, including food ingredients such as dairy, vegetables, and meats. This is used to determine your eligibility and the vendor agreement type we send you to complete if accepted. Vague information will automatically be rejected.
You can not change or add to your product list once approved without starting the process over again.
STEP 4 : Submit Your Products’ photos via Email – send to DFCMmanager@gmail.com
Immediately after completing the online vendor application form above, prospective vendors should email the Market Manager with descriptions and photos of what you wish to sell at the Market. The more detail the better. The Market is now requiring creative process pictures or a video for vendors who create their products. You are required to send process pictures or video of you making/creating your product. This needs to include a picture of YOU, not just hands and the pictures must show various stages of the production process.
Maybe you represent a non-profit 501c3 organization and would like a table at the Market to share your information. We allow that on a limited basis, with the approval of the Market Manager. We require non-profits who wish to set up to 1) Provide something of value to the Market’s customers like a small treat along with information and 2) Stay for the duration of the Market’s hours, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., unless prior exceptions have been granted by the Market Manager. 3) Complete the Vendor Application Form Online. These applications are also only processed once per week. If approved you will be sent an agreement to fill out and return.
STEP 5 : Once all applications from the open application period have been reviewed, we will email you. If approved, we will send a series of emails with required paperwork to be filled out and returned along with required licenses, etc. We will also send you an invoice via email for the $30 refundable deposit. See the agreement for the conditions by which the deposit is refundable.
We do not begin processing any paperwork sent to us until the deposit is paid.
You are not eligible to set up at the Market until all required paperwork is turned in, you have completed your over the phone orientation call with the Market Manager AND you have received the “Welcome to the Market” email from LDDA staff.
MARKET APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED UNTIL JUNE 1, 2024 AND WILL BE OPEN FOR 30 DAYS UNTIL JUNE 30, 2024.
Reference materials:
| Department of Revenue – Apply for a sales tax certificate here | |
| Department of Agriculture Cottage Food Information | |
| Department of Agriculture Food Permit Information
Department of Business & Professional Regulation Department of Agriculture Feed Master Registration Department of Agriculture Fertilizer Registration & Labeling Guidelines |
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| SNAP VENDOR AGREEMENT – Only SNAP eligible food product vendors need this agreement
Do you need a commissary? We know of 1:
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