Due to the high volume of interest in IFM membership for the 2010 season, we are sorry to say that we can no longer accept new applications.  Please check back in early 2011.

To become a farmers market member, you must live within a 30-mile radius of the market and make or grow the items that you are selling.

There are three categories of membership (Agricultural, Craft, and Food)as well as three levels of membership. Listed below are short descriptions of each category and level to help you figure out which is best for you. To the right of each category title are links for downloading the appropriate application for your product, and more information about selling at the IFM.   Please read the information, and then fill out all the paperwork required in the table.

For the 2010 season we are experiencing limited space at our Steamboat Landing site and at Tuesday Market at DeWitt Park.  We do have space at DeWitt Park on Thursday evenings from 4pm to 7pm, beginning in June.  Please know that when applying to the market you will not be able to sell as an Easy Entry Vendor on Sundays as space is limited, but your name will be put on a list and notified when space is available.  At the beginning and end of every season there will be space for you to vend. 

New Applicants are required to purchase Business Liability Insurance in the amount of one million dollars.  A Certificate of Liability Insurance naming the vendor as the insured and the IFM as the Certificate Holder and the IFM names as additionally insured must be submitted upon acceptance.

To apply for membership, two application forms must be filled out and submitted at this time. Read below to determine which category you will be appying under, and what paperwork is necessary for the application.

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Easy Entry Agricultural

Easy entry members may attend Sunday and Tuesday Markets. Easy Entry members must participate in a daily stall auction for placement, based on booth availability. There may be market days when all booths have been filled by vendors with more seniority. Easy Entry members cannot accrue points towards their membership status (see membership guide). There are no restrictions concerning the number of markets Easy Entry vendors must attend. This level of membership is, as stated above, the only way to become a member of the Ithaca Farmers Market at this time.  Again, we encourage you join and begin selling at the Farmers Market as an Easy Entry member, as you will be place on a list and move up to either an Associate or Full Member as space becomes available. 

To qualify as an Agriculture vendor all items must be grown and processed by the producer/vendor on land within the official 30 mile radius of Ithaca. The farm must be rented or owned by the producer. Exceptions must be approved by the Agriculture Committee. An agriculture vendor may also sell items which are processed beyond cutting, drying, freezing, pressing, or packaging. These items are considered Enhanced agricultural products. These products have added ingredients not produced on your farm and may be cooked, smoked, cultured, canned, bottled or aged. All enhanced agricultural products are also considered food or craft and are subject to jurying by the appropriate committee. See Agriculture guidelines for an in depth description.

Easy Entry Craft

Easy entry members may attend Sunday and Tuesday Markets, but not Saturday markets. Easy Entry members must participate in a daily stall auction for placement, based on booth availability. There may be market days when all booths have been filled by vendors with more seniority. Easy Entry members cannot accrue points towards their membership status (see membership guide). There are no restrictions concerning the number of markets Easy Entry vendors must attend. This level of membership is, as stated above, the only way to become a member of the Ithaca Farmers’ Market at this time.  Again, we encourage you join and begin selling at the Farmers’ Market as an Easy Entry member, as you will be place on a list and move up to either an Associate or Full Member as space becomes available. 

To qualify as a craft vendor all crafts sold at the Ithaca Farmers’ Market must be of high quality workmanship, designed and executed by the vendor within the official 30 mile radius of Ithaca. Commercial duplication printing and/or items assembled from kits may not be sold. basic patterns may be used. Manufactured items may be incorporated in the craft work, such as jewelry findings, furniture hardware, and basic notions, provided the majority of the product is handmade and reflects the skill of the craftsperson. See Craft Handbook for an in depth description.

Easy Entry Food

Easy entry members may attend Sunday and Tuesday Markets, but not Saturday markets. Easy Entry members must participate in a daily stall auction for placement, based on booth availability. There may be market days when all booths have been filled by vendors with more seniority. Easy Entry members cannot accrue points towards their membership status (see membership guide). There are no restrictions concerning the number of markets Easy Entry vendors must attend. This level of membership is, as stated above, the only way to become a member of the Ithaca Farmers’ Market at this time.  Again, we encourage you join and begin selling at the Farmers’ Market as an Easy Entry member, as you will be place on a list and move up to either an Associate or Full Member as space becomes available. 

To qualify as a food vendor all potential applicants must produce their product within the official 30 mile radius of Ithaca, in a licensed facility. A food vendor must participate significantly (approximately 50%) in the hands on preparation of their food product, and all foods the vendor sells must be made by that vendor. Agriculture vendors that process foods and do not grow 75% of the ingredients for those foods are considered a food vendor. Established businesses with one or more venues that collectively seat 19 or more patrons are not eligible for Market membership, See Food Vendor Handbook for more details.

Becoming an Associate or Full Member

The committees governing the various categories select Associate and Full Members when an opening
occurs.

Associate Members may attend a Saturday market if there are booths open. They may attend Saturday markets outside of the Sunday and Tuesday market season, and must participate in a daily stall auction, based on booth availability. Associate Members must contribute a minimum of 20 hours of work towards the Farmers’ Market per year. Associate Members may accrue points towards their membership, which will be used in consideration for advancing to Full Member status.

Full Members may attend all markets and may be offered a permanent booth which they must occupy a minimum number of Saturdays (see membership guide). Full Members must contribute a minimum of 20 hours of work towards the Farmers Marker per year, and may also vote in all general elections.

New Applicants are required to purchase Business Liability Insurance in the amount of one million dollars.  A Certificate of Liability Insurance naming the vendor as the insured and the IFM as the Certificate Holder and the IFM names as additionally insured must be submitted upon acceptance.