Important: If at any time the links we have provide do not work on this page, please email us and provide the link description that failed. Unfortunately we use several government agencies websites to provide data to our vendors, if they make changes we lose the link. We will need to find a new link, we strive to keep current information for vendors. Thank you for your understanding and your assistance on this matter.

Click here for our Rules and Policies

Click Here for our Vendor Code of Conduct

Needed Documentation – If you are interested in becoming a vendor, please provide 1-4, remainder of page is dedicated to business/vendor resources to help you get ready for your busy season.

- an example of how to list Ft. Wayne’s Farmers Market as an “additional insured” on your policy

- an example of how to list Ft. Wayne’s Farmers Market as an “additional insured” on your policy

  1. Business Liability Insurance is required by all vendors, We need to be listed as an additional insured on your policy and receive a copy of the “Certificate of Liability” form.

    Please have it sent to: Ft. Wayne’s Farmers Market, PO Box 13392, Fort Wayne Indiana 46868.

  2. Electric Works market vendors will also need to list the following as an additional insured and send it to:  

    Electric Works Public Market Trust
    BSW Innovations Lab, LLC
    1690 Broadway Bldg 19 Ste 10
    Fort Wayne, IN 46802

    Or you can also email Katy Silliman at: katy@ewpmt.org

    We can assist you in finding a variety of companies that have proven to be financially feasible for our vendors. If you need to further explanation or information please email us at contact@ftwaynesfarmersmarket.com

  3. Product Waiver - 10% of your product can come from another producer within a 100 mile radius

  4. FWFM Hold Harmless Form - Releases the FWFM, Parkview Field and the city of Fort Wayne from responsibility if a representative of your business or you get hurt at the market. This form also has your emergency contact for the FWFM Staff.

  5. Do you need a permit? Check these 2; Indiana Source and guide, If you do see #5

  6. Allen County Farm Market Permit This permit is available to farmers’ market vendors offering only pre-packaged potentially hazardous food items such as freezer meat, cheese, whole shell eggs, or the sampling of potentially hazardous food items.

How to for New Vendors - This is good for new and seasoned vendors


Resources:

If you are a current vendor or a potential vendor, we have built one of the largest in depth resources pages for our vendors.  Please read through these as it is your responsibility as a business to comply with all Federal, State and Local laws on regulations, labeling, permits and etc. We are here to help if you have further questions: contact@ftwaynesfarmersmarket.com.

Tent Safety

This detailed paper is important to keep you, your staff and the patrons of the market safe.

Home Based Vendors (HBV):

  1. Purdue’s graph to help you understand.

  2. Guidance for Uniform Use of House Enrolled Act 1309 (see page 5 for labeling)

  3. Additional Information for Home Based Vendors from the Department of Health 

  4. Fact Sheet on House Enrolled Act 1309 (Home Based Vendors)

  5. Home Based vendors can sample food under specific conditions:

    Please contact Allen County Board of health for instructions and proper protocol for a HBV.

    FWFM Staff must be notified of date, so they can be prepared to review your set up prior to the start of the market.

  6. All food vendors are required to have a ServSafe at the FWFM: We have negotiated with the national ServSafe for you to obtain your certificate at a reduced rate, please email us for further instructions. contact@ftwaynesfarmersmarket.com

    1. Jams with only fruit can be sold, no other combination. no tomato or peppers can be added

    2. Items you can’t sell as a home based vendor: Meat products; summer sausage, jerky and snack sticks, Vegetable based foods; Salsa or anything involving tomatoes. Specific pies: Sugar Cream, Pumpkin or anything with a high moisture (milk & egg) content. Icing with a high milk content. See Item 1 for reference.

    3. If you do want to sell foods deemed hazardous or without a permit, please contact Purdue to see if they can test your product. Purdue FORM

Alcohol & Tobacco Commision

To sell sealed containers of wine or hard cider the business does not have to request a permit from or inform the local District.

To Sample and Serve the business has to request a Exposition Day Permit from their local district to be approved in our district. Their exposition day permits (which is what they use to attend some events) are included with their farm winery permit, the same as being permitted to make wine.
— Indiana State Excise Police District 2

Brandi Krause
Administrative Secretary
Indiana State Excise Police District 2
260-244-4285 Telephone
dist2@atc.in.gov email

Register Information

Food

  1. If you do want to sell foods deemed hazardous or without a permit, please contact Purdue to see if they can test your product. Purdue FORM

  2. All food vendors are required to have a ServSafe at the FWFM: We have negotiated with the national ServSafe for you to obtain your certificate at a reduced rate, please email us for further instructions. contact@ftwaynesfarmersmarket.com

  3. A Quick How to Guide for Food Safety

  4. Sampling:

    1. Any food that is to be cooked and/or sampled at the market, the individual must have a ServSafe Certificate.

    2. Follow all state guidelines to have a hand washing, dish washing and follow all food handling requirements.

    3. 410 IAC 7-24-179 Food display

      Sec. 179. (a) Except for nuts in the shell and whole, raw fruits and vegetables that are intended for hulling, peeling, or washing by the consumer before consumption, food on display shall be protected from contamination by the use of:

      (1) packaging;

      (2) counter, service line, or salad bar food guards;

      (3) display cases; or

      (4) other effective means.

      (b) For purposes of this section, a violation of subsection (a) is a noncritical item.

       

      q  FOOD DISPLAY: All food and food contact surfaces shall be protected from consumer handling, coughing, sneezing or other contamination. (179, 180, 181)

      •       Use sneeze guards or other effective barriers for food on display.

      •       Keep food covered, except for working containers of food.

      •       Condiments shall be dispensed in single service type packaging, in pump-style dispensers, or in protected squeeze bottles, shakers, or similar dispensers which prevent contamination of the food items by food employees, patrons, insects, or other sources.

      •       Knives, forks, and spoons that are not pre-wrapped shall be presented so that only the handles are touched.

    4. Please contact Allen County Board of Health to determine if it is considered hazardous food, you may need the Allen County Farmers Market permit.

  5. On site serving and/or preparing food: There are 2 ways to serve prepared food at the Farm Market

    1. BASIC GUIDELINES FOR TEMPORARY FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS

    2. Are you a Retail Food Establishment? Qualifications and permits. To serve food at the farmers market you could also have an “annual food service permit” and “off site permit”.

    3. Must have a Retail Merchant Certificate if selling ready to eat items.

Animal Products

All animal products are governed by the Indiana State Board of Animal Health. As such products should have the inspection stamps located on the label.

  • Quail and Duck eggs need a county Department of health Retail permit.

  • Rabbit Sales

  • Labeling on Meat Products.

  • State Requirements by Market for Products of Animal Origin.

  • Guidelines for Farmers Market Establishment Permit, who and when it’s needed.

  • Jerky has to have a label with a USDA stamp and is not allowed to be made by a home based vendor.

  • Dried/Cured/Smoked Meats:

    Jerky, Smoked Sausage and snack sticks, must have a variance/permit issued by Allen County Board of health

  • Sampling:

    • Any food that is to be cooked and sampled at the market the individual must have a ServSafe Food Handler Certificate.

    • Have a Farmers Market Permit and follow all state and Allen county food safety guidelines.

  • Farmers Market Permit: This permit is available to farmers’ market vendors offering only pre-packaged potentially hazardous food items such as freezer meat, cheese, whole shell eggs, or the sampling of potentially hazardous food items.

Labeling

Meat

Food

Organic

Natural products; Soaps, Cosmetics, Lip balms, Salves and syrups

Tinctures and alcohol based health and herbal products

  • Information - From the Indiana Excise District 2 office

  • Register with TTB as a Manufacturer of Nonbeverage Products (MNBP)

  • Questions outside of the above product requirements need to follow this protocol to find resolution

Selling Pet Treats in the State of Indiana

Retail Sales/Merchant Certificate and Tax Reporting Information

Apply for Retail Sales Certificate by filling out a BT-1 form. If you are a business that sell’s non food items or are ready to eat food. See Sale of Food Tax bulletin.

  • Sales Tax Bulletin.Sale of Food Tax Bulletin - All food items sold with eating utensils provided by the seller. Eating utensils includes plates, knives, forks, spoons, glasses, cups, napkins, or straws (a plate does not include a container or packaging used to transport the food). Except as provided below, food shall be considered to be sold with eating utensils provided by the seller when utensils are given to the purchaser or made available for self-service by the purchaser on the seller’s premises.

MISC Links

Commercial Kitchens

  • Cookspring Fort Wayne-260-446-3226  or  http://cookspringfw.com/

  • Community Harvest Food Bank-John 260-447-3696 x322

  • Grace Gathering Church, 3157 Minnich Rd. New Haven, IN 46774 (260) 749-5165

  • Contact your local venues:

    • Legions/lodges

    • Churches

    • Fairgrounds

    • Other retail businesses with approved kitchens that would be willing to share space.

Ready to Vend?  Great, we’re ready to learn more about you!!