Info for Vendors

COST TO SELL:

No charge! Just come and set up. We do accept vendor donations (usually around $5) to organize Facebook advertising, music, and other support services. Growing Roots puts in a lead donation to help those things along.

SPACE:

Approx. 10 x 10 space, first come first serve, no electricity. Be mindful of your neighbors. The space along the sidewalk is premium, please limit to 1-2 tables along the walkway, but you can dip back into the park. The park offers more shade and if we maintain a walking path, it might be perfect for some products.

Historically, Growing Roots team (volunteers) have done most of the Facebook posts for the events. However, most people find out about the event through Facebook from your personal posts; your personal posts will go a lot further in reaching new shoppers.

If you need help from Growing Roots, please ask… it will take us all to make the Fresh Mess Market successful for everyone! Get in touch with Rhonda via phone, or our Facebook group/page.

FOOD RULE:

Rules Pertaining to TN Farmer’s Markets in 2024 [and beyond]
By Missy Taliaferro
Beginning January 1, 2024, food vendors must purchase a Farmers Market Food Unit permit if they plan to prepare and serve food at local farmers markets in Tennessee using improvised equipment rather than permanent, facilities or equipment for such things as hand washing, food preparation, temperature control, drinking water, and waste retention and disposal. The Farmers Market Food Unit (FMFU) permit is $300 annually. Permits purchased after January 1, 2024 will be $150 and will expire on June 30, 2024. You must renew your FMFU permit before July 1, 2024, to continue operating the FMFU. The renewed permit will cost $300 and expire on June 30, 2025. If a person operates more than one (1) farmers market food unit simultaneously, then the person must possess a separate permit for each farmers market food unit.
To learn more about obtaining a permit visit the Tennessee Department of Health website.

Please follow all Food Trucks rules in the town of Monteagle: https://www.townofmonteagle-tn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/MobileFoodPermit.pdf
Contact Monteagle City Hall: (931) 924-2265

WHAT WE NEED FROM our vendors:

ADVERTISING:

• FLYERS - post at local businesses. Just ask if you need more!

• PLEASE CONSIDER A DONATION toward support of the market (ads, music, fall festival, signage).

• For maximum advertising, we encourage you to post to the Facebook page/group at the beginning of the event as well as during the week. Invite your friends - that expands the coverage!

• NEWSPAPERS - post an article in your local paper; we will provide you with a press release.

• Please invite people to join the Fresh Mess group!

• Please post your vendor info in the Fresh Mess event EACH week (each post has to be approved).

• Please invite your Facebook friends to the event.

• Post flyers in local businesses.

FM will provide and put out generic signs as mentioned above; if you want a custom sign, you may make one and/or have one produced. We have used Jason Tate in the past. His e-mail is orders@mtngfx.net. A double-sided, election-style sign is roughly $25. If done as a group, the rate would come down. You would be responsible for putting it out and taking it down after the event.

WHO ARE YOUR VOLUNTEERS:

Growing Roots Team
Town of Monteagle

WHAT TO EXPECT from the Fresh Mess/Growing Roots Volunteers:

• We will put out the farmers’ market signs that we have (banner and “election-type” sign). The 3 x 6 Banner will be put up the evening before the event.

• We will submit to Sewanee Mountain Messenger to include FM in the Local Food Available section each week.

• Will post to Instagram and Facebook.

• Flyers created and printed and shared with vendors as requested.

• Facebook group and Facebook page created; vendors are encouraged to post.

• Event will be shared to Sewanee Classifieds and appropriate Facebook platforms (feel free to post as well… this will have a bigger reach).

• Press release to local papers prior the event starting in June; we will give you a copy and you can share to a paper in your area.

• A FM volunteer will visit the site each week to help promote the event.

• A FM volunteer will verify with each vendor if they will be participating the next week.

• Posts will be made to the event accordingly.

• Event to be posted on the Tower Bank Marquee.
  

PLEASE CONSIDER VOLUNTEERING…

• We need someone to greet new vendors.

• We need help putting out the cones at the beginning of the event and putting them back at the end.

• Leave your space as clean (or cleaner) than you found it.

• If you have an idea on how to help, let us know.