HDGP

General Market Information
and Policies & Procedures

Dates and Times

The Historic Downtown Galveston Farmers’ Market (the Market) will be held every second Saturday, April through December.
The Market will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 2:00 p.m. Summer hours are 8 a.m. to 12:00 pm.
The Market is located at Saengerfest Park, 2302 Strand (23 and The Strand).

Payment

A fee of $35 is required, upon Committee approval, to reserve vendor booths. After the first month, the fee will be due on Market day. Vendors may submit payment in the form of cash or check to be delivered to P.O. Box 715 Galveston, TX 77550, or by credit card. HDGP Executive Assistant, Susan Jackson, will take credit card numbers over the phone – 409/763-7080.
There are no refunds for any reason other than a cancellation on or before the Monday prior to the Market.

Market Organization

The Historic Downtown Galveston Farmers’ Market is managed by The Historic Downtown Galveston Partnership (HDGP) a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation.

The Market is a combination of the following categories:
Regionally Grown Produce/Agricultural Growers
Prepared Food Vendors – Ready to Eat
Processed Food Vendors
Fresh Flowers/Plants Vendors
Arts & Crafts/Novelties Vendors
Non-profit Organizations
Promotional Booth for a Downtown Business

Our primary emphasis is on the grower, and ultimately, the size of the Market will be determined by the number of growers who apply. The market shall have at a minimum two (2) farmers selling their own produce at all times. The Historic Downtown Galveston Farmers’ Market will feature regionally grown fruits and vegetables, with at least 10% of all agricultural products being grown in Texas.

Food vendors are admitted based on the type of product that is needed at the Market. The Committee looks very carefully at the entire range of products being offered by our existing vendors and new vendors will be admitted based on what type or product we feel will enhance Market operations.

The Prepared Food-Ready-to-Eat vendor category is not limited, providing that there is a difference in the variety offered that will be attractive to Market customers.

The Arts & Crafts/Novelties booths will not surpass 50% of the booths offered at the Market. A good variety of items is sought and vendors will be selected based on the unique quality and attractiveness of their products.

One free booth will be set aside for use by a local non-profit organization.

One booth will be set aside for downtown businesses to promote their wares. The Committee will give preference to new businesses with unique products. This booth will be occupied by different businesses on a rotation basis.

NOTE: In selecting vendors for each month’s Market, the Committee will fill the booths based on the need for a variety of products and timeliness of applications in applying for booths. Vendors are responsible for securing appropriate permits and compliance with the terms of said permits.

Market Policies & Procedures

The Historic Downtown Galveston Farmers’ Market reserves the right to refuse space to vendors and applicants who do not comply with market rules and regulations or do not meet Market standards which include, but are not limited to, the following:

Vendors will be charged a fee of $35 per booth. The fee for the first month will be due upon Committee approval, and on Market day thereafter.

All agricultural products sold at the Market shall be of merchantable quality.

Booth size is a 10’ x 10’ space.

Fee includes a canopy, 2 tables with table cloths and 2 chairs. Extra large or unusual displays must be approved by the Market Committee in advance.

Vendors must notify HDGP Executive Assistant, Susan Jackson (409/763-7080) at least 72 hours in advance if they will not be attending the Market. Non-compliance risks forfeiture of reserved space at future Markets.

On Market day, vendors who are running late and will not be able to open their booth on time should call Susan Jackson as soon as possible.

The Market will proceed, rain or shine, with the possibility of a delay in opening in the event of inclement weather. In cases of expected severe weather, vendors will be notified of cancellation by a Committee member, which will only happen as a last resort. Vendors should contact Committee chairperson, Jacquelyn Tarpy (409-621-2092 or cell – 409-795-9979), if they are concerned about impending weather. Vendors should have tarps and plastic sheets, just in case.

Committee members have the authority to move and reassign vendor spots to enhance or facilitate Market operations.

Vendors are responsible for cleaning their space before leaving. This includes folding table cloths and placing them in the storage bags provided by HDGP.

Price, terms of sale, etc. are between buyer and seller only.

Vendors may not sell any items not approved or shown in their Market application. Market staff has the right to ask vendor to remove such products.

Any vendor who the Market staff feels is not complying with the Market rules may be asked to leave. The vendor, in turn, may petition to be re-accepted to the Market at a future date.

All vendors agree to abide by fair business practices.

Any required sales tax collections and remittance are the sole responsibility of the vendors.

Vendors assume full liability for the products they market or sell and hereby agree to hold the Historic Downtown Galveston Farmers’ Market harmless against any claim of injury or damage by any buyer, seller, or other persons resulting from the use, consumption, disposition, display, or marketing of vendors’ products.

The Historic Downtown Galveston Farmers’ Market is not liable for any injury, theft, or damage to either the buyer or vendor, or their property, arising from or pertaining to preparation for or participation in the Historic Downtown Galveston Farmers’ Market. Regardless of whether such injury, theft, or damage occurred prior, during, or after the Historic Downtown Galveston Farmers’ Market, vendors further agree to indemnify and hold the Historic Downtown Galveston Farmers’ Market harmless for and against any claims for such injury, theft, or damage.

The Market opens at 8:00 a.m. and vendors are expected to be ready for business at that time. However, please do not sell products before 8:00 a.m.

Booths must be manned for the entire time of the Market unless prior arrangements have been made with the Committee. Jacquelyn Tarpy (409-621-2092) should be contacted on or before the Monday prior to Market Day if vendors need to leave earlier than 2 p.m.

Vendors will be allowed to drive their vehicles to the street or alleyway adjacent to Saengerfest Park to drop off their goods, from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 a.m. Vendors must then find parking space in the downtown area. Note: Parking meters are in effect on Saturdays. Because vendors arrive so early, it is usually easy to find good parking spaces near the Market. The Market does NOT provide vendor parking.

All permits (temporary business license, temporary sales tax license, and food handlers permits) are the sole responsibility of the vendors. Vendors must follow all local, state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to their operation and products at the Market.

We strongly encourage vendors to make their own signs to create as strong a presentation as possible. Not only do colorful and eye-catching signs add to the visual sense of the Market, but research at farmers’ markets indicates that those vendors whose presentation is organized and whose signage is clear and easy to read sell more products. Remember to consider your neighbors when creating your unique sign.

Organic growers should sign their booths accordingly. It is very helpful to customers to be able to clearly determine who is growing organically so that they do not have to ask.

To provide added value for Market customers, special entertainment will be presented, e.g., food demonstrations, community events, and presentations by local music groups.

All non-profit groups who present entertainment will not be charged a fee. However, unless they are a member of HDGP, for-profit groups who present entertainment will be charged a $35 fee.

Vendors must complete and sign a Vendor Application which thereby releases and discharges and agrees to indemnify, protect and save harmless the Market, its agents and employees, the Historic Downtown Galveston Partnership, George P. Mitchell, GPM, Inc, and Eighteen Seventy Strand Corp. from and against all claims, demands, causes of action of every kind and character for any injury to or any loss of or damage to property arising from participation in the Market.

These policies may be amended at any time by the staff of the Market. All decisions regarding participation of vendors in the Market is at the sole discretion of the Market Committee.