If you are starting a brand-new food business we recommend the following process:

1. Read the Guideline for the Sale of Foods at Temporary Food Markets to determine if your product is High or Low Risk. If your item is not listed, please contact our local Health Officer to inquire.

2. Use our handy Visual Vendor Guide to Mandatory Certifications to determine what you need to attend.

3. Apply for the necessary documents, permits or certifications.

4. Submit your EFM application

5. Obtain vendor insurance.

1. Food vendors should review the BCCDC Guide Sale of Food at Temporary Food Markets.

2. All vendors should check out our Visual Vendor Guide to Mandatory Certifications. Aternatively, here is a text-only guide.

3. Body Product Vendors should review our Cosmetic Product Specific Guide

If you already have business insurance — all you need to do is add the ‘Esquimalt Farmers Market Society’ as additionally insured.

If you are looking for business insurance:

• The British Columbia Farmers Market Association (BCAFM) offers discounted insurance rates and relevant plans for their Vendor Members. You can find out more here. They also offer members discounted group rates for Duuo.ca for as low as $13 for one day.

• For non BCAFM members, Duuo.ca offers single-day coverage, and short-term flex packages for vendors for about $18 a day. You will need a separate policy for each market location. Vendors must provide a policy that covers all of their confirmed market dates (eg. full-time vendors can not provide daily policies.

• If you already have business insurance, you can likely add the Esquimalt Farmers Market Society to your policy as an additional insured.

We recognize our standard application process requires access to and proficiency with a computer/internet.

If you require assistance with your application please contact us here.

As a BCAFM market, all EFM vendors must abide by the Make, Bake or Grown in BC policies.

The reselling of products at BCAFM member farmers’ markets is not allowed.

Grow means:

● Farm products that are grown or produced in BC

● Nursery products, such as plants, trees, or seeds that are grown and/or propagated by a farm vendor in BC

● Cut flowers that were grown and/or propagated by the farm vendor.

Make means:

● Processed/prepared foods in BC: value added edible product that has been cut, cooked, smoked, canned or otherwise altered from its original/natural state.

● Artisanal and craft products: value added products that are created, sewn, constructed or otherwise fashioned from component materials in a way that makes the item unique. These may include raw component products that were purchased or that originated on one’s farm. Artisan and craft items must show artistic effort and a substantial change from base components. An artist may sell reproductions of their own original creation.

● Services that are provided at the farmers’ market. Examples include knife sharpening, chair massage.

● Priority will be given to makers that source ingredients and components of BC origin.

Bake means:

● Products that are baked from scratch in BC (i.e.:utilizing basic ingredients, not purchased pre-mixed or pre-made components).

● Priority will be given to bakers that source ingredients of BC origin.

Raise means:

● Farm products that are raised onland or waters in BC, with the appropriate permits and/or approvals.

Wild Harvest means:

● Products harvested, caught, hunted or wild crafted from wild lands or waters in BC, with the appropriate permits and/or approvals, including Indigenous communities.

In addition to mentions on our social media posts and e-newsletters, Vendors have the opportunity to submit pictures, stories, recipes, art, writing to be shared with the EFM community.

Our organization is committed to supporting up to 10 businesses, who would otherwise be unable to vend, by offering alternative payment plans.

While a majority of our vendors will still be required to pre-pay for their season, vendors who experience pre-paying as a barrier to participate may apply for a payment plan option.

*this is only available for full-season (not drop-in) vendors.

If pre-paying for the full season is a barrier to participate as a vendor, please reach out.

We understand committing to a weekly stall all season may be a barrier to participate.

We accept drop-in vendors as space allows.

If you are an emerging BIPOC business owner interested in hearing more, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out.