vendor resources
The following resources are provided to assist growers interested in selling at Foothills Farmers' Market.
Foothills Farmers' Market promotes locally-grown foods. We accept vendors within a 50-mile radius of Cleveland County, NC. You don't have to be a full-time grower, and you are not required to participate the entire season. In order to sell at Foothills Farmers' Market, you must be a paid Producer/Vendor member of our Corporation in good standing and be certified by NC Cooperative Extension. The certification process ensures that all vendors grow what they sell and that all processed foods are prepared in approved kitchen facilities. Interested vendors must first complete a Vendor Application Form. Once your application is received, a representative from NC Cooperative Extension will contact you to schedule a certification site visit.
Wanting to sell value-added or processed items at the Market, or thinking about starting your own food-based business? The Department of Food Science at NC State University has developed "Getting Started in Food Based Business in NC", a useful web site that addresses a range of regulatory issues and answers many of the questions you probably have.
Certain low-risk packaged items, including baked goods, jams & jellies, candies, dried mixes, spices, and some sauces and liquids, may be produced in the home kitchen and sold at Foothills Farmers' Market, provided the kitchen is registered with the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and inspected. Visit the Food & Drug Protection web page to learn more about the inspection process. Contact the division at (919) 733-7366 to obtain a copy of the regulations and to arrange for an inspection of your facility. You will not be permitted to sell at Foothills Farmers' Market until a certificate of inspection has been issued.