Moore Square Market Vendor Information

For more information or for questions about being a vendor at the market, please contact market@downtownraleigh.org.

Vendor and Product Qualifications

Each vendor must reside and produce items to be sold within a 90 mile radius of Raleigh city limits, in the state of North Carolina.
- Exceptions to this rule may be made in cases when a product is scarce within the stated radius. For example, vendors from the North Carolina Mountains may be allowed to sell their apples. All products must be grown, raised, or produced within North Carolina.
Each vendor must be the original producer of the item sold or be employed by the producer. Second-farm vendors are not allowed. Any vendor selling second farm products will be asked to remove those products. If it occurs a second time the vendor will be asked to remove the products and pay a $25.00 fine. The third offense will result in expulsion from the Market. At any time, DRA may request an on-site visit.
The on-site sales representative is expected to be knowledgeable about the products sold and the production process, and the representative should work at the production site at least one day a week.
- Exceptions may be made for on-site sales representatives who are extremely knowledgeable about the products sold but who do not work at the production site at least one day a week.
Products, which can be sold, include:
- Any vegetable grown by the vendor from seeds, sets, or seedlings.
- Any fruits, nuts, or berries grown by the vendor from trees, bushes, or vines on the vendor farm.
- Any plant grown by the vendor from seed, seedling, transplant or cutting.
- Bulbs propagated by the vendor.
- Eggs produced by the vendor’s poultry.
- Honey produced by the vendor’s bees.
- Baked goods made by the vendor containing ingredients from local farms.
- Preserves, relishes, jams, jellies, etc. made by the vendor. No “low acid” canned foods such as corn, peas, green beans, carrots, etc. may be sold. High acid or acidified foods (pickles, tomato products, etc.) may be sold if the vendor has passed the FDA certification course. A copy of certification must be on file with Downtown Raleigh Alliance.
- Fresh cut or dried flowers grown by the vendor.
- Firewood cut by the vendor.
- Compost produced and bagged by the vendor. No topsoil or unbagged compost may be sold.
- Meat products from animals raised on the vendor’s premises.
- Cheese or dairy products made from animals raised on the member's premises or made from milk purchased from a local farm (less than 90 miles from Raleigh).
- Fresh seafood raised or caught by local small scale fishermen using sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.
- Artisan foods made by the vendor containing ingredients from local farms.
- Any products not meeting these requirements must be approved in advance by DRA staff.
All produce must be of top quality and any problems will be reviewed and determined by Downtown Raleigh Alliance. The vendor’s farm or business may be visited by a representative of Moore Square Market or Downtown Raleigh Alliance before his/her product is approved for sale at the Market. Samples may be requested, and are required for any new vendors selling processed, artisan foods.
All products sold must meet local, state, and federal health regulations. All prepared foods vendor’s kitchens must be inspected by NCDA health inspectors and all labeling must be in compliance with the regulations. Vendors selling prepared foods, fish, meat, and cheese must have a copy of their inspection form on file, and submit at the time of application, with the Market Manager, as well as have on-site at the Market. Vendors and their employees are responsible for being informed about and complying with federal, state, and local health regulations and licensing requirements governing the production, display, distribution, sampling, and sale of their products.
All items sold as Certified Organic must meet the requirements of the National Organic Program. Vendors of Certified Organic items must have a copy of their certification on file with Downtown Raleigh Alliance as well as with them when selling at the Market. Only certified organic growers may display signs using the words “Certified Organic.”
All relevant licenses must be on file with Downtown Raleigh Alliance.
No live animals may be sold or given away at the Market.
Items are to be sold by weight, measure, or count. If scales are used, they are subject to be checked by the State of North Carolina inspectors.
Market Management reserves the right to deny a vendor’s application or to prohibit anyone from selling at the Market, or to prohibit any product from being sold at the Market.
Management will assign booth location. Priority and selection of vendor booth location is given to vendors who have attended the most in previous years. Decisions are made with the interest of what is best for the Market. Additional factors for booth location include consideration for vendors requesting electricity and granted the opportunity to keep their vehicles on site. Vendor final booth locations is ultimately at the discretion of Market staff.

Vendor Responsibilities

Each vendor must submit a market membership application to be approved by Downtown Raleigh Alliance and City of Raleigh. Vendors apply for market membership annually. Copies of all applicable licenses must be submitted at the time of application.
Vendors selling value added products must provide the Market with a certificate of liability insurance naming Raleigh Civic Ventures as additional insured. This may be submitted at time of acceptance.
The vendor will, at all times, keep their space, including the surrounding area, swept and free of debris. Before the vendor leaves, he/she will ensure their space is clean and free of personal effects, produce, and debris. All food products must be disposed of outside of the Market. No water or ice that comes into contact with meat or fish may be deposited or drained on Market premises. No water or ice should be deposited within City of Raleigh planting beds or planters. Trashcans will be provided for paper products.
Vendors should strive for the highest level of safe food handling. Vendors who choose to sample should bring a small wastebin for consumer waste.
Vendors are required to bring their own tent, tables, chairs, and any equipment needed.
Vendors are prohibited from having pets around vendor stands, with the exception of service animals.
Each vendor must have a clearly visible sign identifying his/her farm or business and location.
Each vendor must have signs posted listing the prices and names of products as well as provided SNAP/EBT accepted here signage, if applicable.
Vendors are not permitted to smoke in or around their stall spaces. Moore Square is a non-smoking park.
All vendors must conduct themselves in a professional manner.
Vendors must commit to market attendance by the Wednesday prior to that week's market. The vendor must contact the Market Manager directly at least 24 hours in advance if they are not going to attend the Market. If a vendor fails to notify the Market Manager of a cancellation prior to 24 hours in advance, they will be fined $25.
All complaints or problems should be directed to Market Management in a timely manner that is not disruptive to the market.
Vendor weekly revenue is important to assess how the Market is doing as a whole, which marketing mechanisms are effective, and for proposals requesting funding. Any shared information is tabulated anonymously. Vendors are required to submit sales information weekly.
Once accepted, vendors must pay an annual membership fee of $60. The membership fee is waived for farmers (produce, meat and dairy). The fee is refunded to any vendor that attends at least 17 of the 22 scheduled markets.

Art & Craft Vendor and Product Qualifications

The following guidelines are set forth for the purpose of jurying craft items in order to determine whether the proposed craft is eligible to be sold at Moore Square Market. Decisions will be made based upon quality, workmanship, creativity and uniqueness. Downtown Raleigh Alliance has the sole discretion to accept or decline applications.

Each vendor must reside and produce items to be sold within a 90 mile radius of Raleigh city limits, in the state of North Carolina.
Each vendor must be hand crafted by the original producer of the item sold or be employed by the producer, working directly with products at the production site, at least one day per week. Second-hand vendors are not allowed.
Crafts must be the product of a home or cottage type industry using an intermediate type technology rather than an industrial type production. To be considered "hand crafted", the item must show evidence of manual skills obtainable only through a significant period of experience and dedication.
All products must be of top quality and any potentially inappropriate wares will be reviewed and determined by the Downtown Raleigh Alliance. The Market Manager has the discretion to immediately remove any craft item that she considers objectionable.
Any items not previously approved and sold at the Market must get approval from the Downtown Raleigh Alliance and City of Raleigh prior to being sold at future markets.

Art & Craft Vendor Responsibilities

Craft vendors have the same responsibilities as those listed above under Vendor Responsibilities.

Logistics

Information about the market site and rules regarding logistics will be submitted to vendors before the opening of the Market. Note that the vendors are responsible for bringing their own tent, tables, and chairs.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) / Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT)

The Market accepts food stamps through our token program. Eligible vendors are strongly encouraged to become part of our program.
The EBT Program will operate in the following manner:
1. Patrons who have been issued an authorized EBT card may purchase scrip in the form of wooden tokens, up to the amount authorized, from designated Market staff.
2. The patron’s EBT card will be debited for the value of the tokens purchased. Patrons will use the tokens only for purchase of eligible foods from authorized vendors at the Market. Patrons have no time limit on the use of purchased tokens at the Market. No change will be given for tokens.
3. Vendors will submit the wooden tokens received to Market staff at the end of the Market and will be reimbursed via check at the end of the month for the entire month.
4. The only tokens used will be wooden tokens with the unique imprint of Market, with the currency amount also imprinted on each side. The only tokens used will be in $1 denominations.
5. The EBT Program will be strictly and carefully monitored at all times by the Market in accordance with USDA SNAP Benefits Guidelines listed below.
USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits (SNAP) Guidelines:
1. SNAP Benefits can be used for:
  1. Foods products – breads, cereals, fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, and poultry, dairy products.
  2. Seeds and plants which produce food
2. SNAP Benefits Cannot be used for:
  1. Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, tobacco
  2. Any nonfood items, such as pet foods, paper products, and household items
  3. Vitamins and medicines
  4. Food that is intended to be eaten on-site
  5. Hot food
  6. Vendors may NOT set a minimum purchase requirement for a shopper using $1 SNAP tokens.
  7. NO cash can be given as change for $1 SNAP tokens.
These regulations will be reviewed annually by Downtown Raleigh Alliance and are subject to change to ensure the growth, quality and success of the market.

Vendor Fee Structure

Vendors must pay a non-refundable annual market membership fee of $60 dollars per market season. This membership fee must be paid two weeks prior to the first market day. This fee is waived for farmers (produce, meat and dairy).
Fee and Payment Structure. Vendors are required to make payments via check or credit card online. Market management will not accept cash payment. This is the pricing structure for the WHOLE season and can be different for vendors entering late in the season.
- Full Season Non-Farmer Rate - $400
- Full Season Farmer Rate - $300
- Non-Farmer Weekly Rate - $30
- Farmer Weekly Rate - $20
- Membership fee - $60
Stall fees may not be paid with EBT/tokens or promotional market bucks
Market commitments must be made by the Wednesday in advance of the Market. Notice of absence must be made within 24 hours or vendor will be charged for that week.

Checks may be made payable to Raleigh Civic Ventures, and mailed to: Moore Square Market, c/o Downtown Raleigh Alliance, 333 Fayetteville St., Suite 1150, Raleigh, NC 27601.