New Vendors

Thank you for your interest in joining the Santa Cruz Community Farmers’ Market. Please review the vendor requirements that apply to you.  SCCFM is a membership based organization, which means all selling vendors have been approved as members.

If you are interested in selling, are qualified and there are openings at the market you are interested in or for your product, you are required to submit an interest form regardless of vendor classification. An interest form is not an application for membership.  It is the first step in the review process.

Currently, SCCFM does not accept interest forms for the following products:

Decorative crafts, Apparel and jewellery, Books and other printed material, Souvenirs, gift items, and greeting cards, Cosmetics and personal care items or nutritional food/drink products (does not include soap), Home and garden items

The process involves three steps:

1. Submit an SCCFM Interest Form and required paperwork.
2. If we have openings and we are interested in your product, we will contact you for more information.
3. If you are accepted for membership, we will send you a Membership Packet and set a start date.

We try and give all applicants feedback on their submissions through email but, due to the high volume of interest, combined with the time requirements of our normal work load in the markets, it is not always possible to get back to applicants quickly.

When you have completed the appropriate prospective seller application, please mail it to our office.

All submissions should be sent to: SCCFM/Vendor Interest Form, P.O. Box 7970, Santa Cruz, CA 95061

SCCFM Interest Form

Before applying, please review the table below. Although we do not want to discourage prospective vendors from applying, we would like applicants to have a realistic understanding of the availability of space at SCCFM’s markets. We receive a high volume of applications and many of our markets are currently full. Please take the following information into consideration before submitting your application. If you have a unique product that does not fall within these categories, but that does fit within our rules and regulations, please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need any assistance. The market openings chart is updated on an ongoing basis.

Market Openings 2013

Downtown Santa Cruz FM
Farmer: Reviewing, limited openings
Artisan/Prepared Foods: Closed at this time

Felton FM
Farmer: Reviewing, limited openings
Artisan/Prepared Foods: Closed at this time

Scott’s Valley FM
Farmer: Reviewing, limited openings
Artisan/Prepared Foods: Reviewing. Soap vendor opening.

Westside Santa Cruz FM
Farmer: Reviewing, limited openings
Artisan/Prepared Foods: Closed at this time

Live Oak/Eastside FM
Farmer: Reviewing, limited openings
Artisan/Prepared Foods: Closed at this time

Prospective Vendor Information

SCCFM’s policy is to give preference to producers and vendors whose practices support our mission.

Farmers, Ranchers, Agricultural Vendors

For agricultural producers, all products must be grown in California, and if applicable we give preference to those who farm within Santa Cruz County and are certified organic.

Requirements for Membership:

  1. Current California Producers Certificate
  2. Product and General Liability Insurance with policy limits set to 1,000,000 products and 2,000,000 general aggregate. Insurance policies must name SCCFM as an additional insured.
  3. If applicable, please include any/all of the following:
  • State Organic Registration Certificate
  • 3rd party Organic Certification Agency (CCOF, QAI, MOCA, etc.)
  • Nursery Stock License (if applicable)
  • Health Department Permit (for any processed/value added foods)
  • Vintners need Bonded Type 2 License (for wine sales at Market)
  • Apiary (beekeeper) License
  • A copy of Farm Maps (County parcel map is best)

4.  Photos of your stall space if you participate at other farmers markets

Download Farmer, Rancher, Egg Producer interest form

Artisan Food & Prepared Food Vendors

Artisan Foods are any product that is processed/made by the vendor and is sold, not consumed in the market. For artisan food vendors, we prefer those who use organic, regionally grown produce, ideally from farmers participating in our markets.

Prepared foods are any item that is cooked, prepared or served to eat at the market.  All food items, both prepackaged/artisan food and food for on site consumption, must be produced by the vendor. Preference is given to those who have at least two years’ experience in the restaurant/prepared food business. All food items sold at the market must be processed/served in accordance with Santa Cruz County Environmental Health Department’s in addition to any State or Federal rules related to the product (ie. meat,fermented products,seafood). We do not provide applications for food related businesses that are not fully operational. Additionally, we do give out applications from unregistered businesses.  All prepared food is subject to a blind tasting to assure product quality and appeal.

Requirements for Membership:

  1. Current Santa Cruz County Health Permit. If you are currently participating in farmers markets that are not in Santa Cruz County, you may submit your current county farmers market health permit for the application process. However, if you are approved to sell, you will be required to have a current Santa Cruz County Health Permit. Do not purchase a permit without first being approved to sell. You will spend unnecessary money.
  2. Product and General Liability Insurance with policy limits set to 1,000,000 for each occurrence and 2,000,000 for general aggregate. Insurance policies must name SCCFM as an “additional insured”.
  3. For certified organic food producers, current organic registration documentation.
  4. A copy of the certified kitchen lease you are currently using.
  5. A copy of business registration/license or CA. sellers permit. Call State Board of Equalization 800-400-7115 for more information
  6. Photos of your stall space if you participate at other farmers markets.

Download Food Vendor, Prepared Foods interest form
The City of Santa Cruz policies on Mobile Food Vending