VENDOR RESOURCES
APPLICATIONS
Welcome to Cuyahoga Valley Farmers Market Application process. Cuyahoga Valley Farmers Market (CVFM) is a producer-only farmers market. We are seeking applications from farms and other producers that either raise, grow, cook or produce the product you intend to sell. We do not permit reselling. We are a vendor and community-run market that attempts to marry the needs of the community and the needs of the farmers by providing a vibrant gathering place where we can meet to market our products.
Location, Dates and Hours of Operation:
SUMMER Season:Our Summer Season runs every Saturday, rain or shine, from the first week of May through the end of October. We’re open from 9 AM until 12 PM, with vendor setup from 7 AM to 8:45 AM. Find us at Howe Meadow, 4040 Riverview Rd, in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
WINTER Season: Our Winter Season runs Saturdays, rain or shine, from the first Saturday in November through the end of April (closed Christmas and/or New Year’s Day). Hours are 9 AM – 12 PM, with vendor setup from 7:30 AM – 8:45 AM. Find us at Old Trail School, 2315 Ira Rd, directly behind Howe Meadow.
Exact start-up dates and locations are chosen yearly after discussion by the Board of Directors and Market Manager.
GENERAL INFO ON APPLICATION Fees
$25 Summer and Winter Online Application
$35 Summer and Winter Paper Application
The non-refundable application fee is required each year for application processing for all applications. Your application will not be processed until your non-refundable fee has been received. Paper application fees may be paid by credit card, check, or cash.
Interested vendors are required to apply through Manage My Market. Vendors will need to upload a credit card on file to use as payment for the application. Vendors will have the option to use that card on file to pay for future market fees.
Applications will be reviewed by the Board of Directors (BOD) and Market Staff. Approval is based on providing customers with a balanced and varied product mix, the vendor’s locality, product quality, and sustainability. All accepted vendors will either have a credit card on file or pay a $100 deposit, refundable at the end of the season.
Vendors must be located within 100 miles of Akron, with all products sold at Market produced within that area.
No refunds will be given for vendor fees. If a vendor decides to change the schedule or end their participation in the Market after paying a fee, no refund will be paid to the vendor. The vendor’s signature on the application form indicates that they have read, fully understand, and agree to comply with all the following guidelines.
BOOTH AND SPACE FEES
Each booth space measures 10’x10’ and costs a flat rate of $45 for Summer and $35 for Winter for Market Day with additional charges for extra spaces and electricity (see below).
SUMMER MARKET FEES
The summer market application period will be from January 8th-March 5th 2025 with rolling applications accepted after that time period.
$25 Summer Online Application
$35 Summer Paper Application
Market dates are every Saturday, May 3 through October 25, at Howe Meadow in Cuyahoga Valley National Park (4040 Riverview Road, Peninsula, OH).
- Flat $45 weekly
- $10 per week for each 15 amp electrical plugin
- $10 per additional booth space
- $20 additional Vendor in Booth
The primary vendor is responsible for the standard $45 weekly booth fee. If the primary vendor chooses to share their booth with one or more additional vendors, each of those additional vendors will be charged $20 per week. Each additional vendor must complete a separate application, pay the $25 application fee, and provide proof of liability insurance with CVFM listed as the certificate holder, as well as any required local county health department permits (in the vendor’s home county).
CVFM is a not-for-profit corporation; all proceeds will be used for the benefit of the market. Fee scales may be adjusted every year by the decision of the Board of Directors. Sales Reporting is required and done on the honor system.
The non-refundable application fee is required each year for application processing for all applications. Your application will not be processed until your non-refundable fee has been received. Paper application fees may be paid by credit card, check, or cash.
Interested vendors applying by paper, please email marketmanager@cvfm.org to receive your application.
WINTER MARKET FEES
The winter market application period will be determined at a later date.
$25 Winter Online Application
$35 Winter Paper Application
Market dates are every Saturday from November 1, 2025 through April 25, 2026 at Old Trail School (2315 Ira Road, Bath, OH).
- Flat $35 weekly
- Electricity (limited availability, only as needed) $5 weekly
- Extra Booth $5
- Extra Vendor in Booth $10
The primary vendor is responsible for the standard $35 weekly booth fee. If the primary vendor chooses to share their booth with one or more additional vendors, each of those additional vendors will be charged $10 per week. Each additional vendor must complete a separate application, pay the $25 application fee, and provide proof of liability insurance with CVFM listed as the certificate holder, as well as any required local county health department permits (in the vendor’s home county).
CVFM is a not-for-profit corporation; all proceeds will be used for the benefit of the market. Fee scales may be adjusted every year by the decision of the Board of Directors. Sales Reporting is required and done on the honor system.
Interested vendors applying by paper, please email marketmanager@cvfm.org to receive your application.
GUIDELINES and Regulations
The 2025-2026 Market Guidelines and Regulations are for everyone at the Cuyahoga Valley Farmers Market(CVFM) to have a safe, fun, and successful market experience.
MORE ON SPACES / BOOTHS
Outdoor summer vendor spaces are 10’x10’ spaces.
Indoor winter vendor spaces are 10’ wide and fit an 8’ table.
Winter: Food trucks and trailers may exceed usual space limitations and will be located outside in the parking lot at Old Trail School at the Market Manager’s discretion.
Vendors are responsible for bringing their tables, chairs, signage, extension cords, and weather protection.
Vendor spaces are assigned by number. Booths may not be shared or sublet to another vendor without prior approval by the manager.
Booth disassembly is not permitted until the market closes at 12pm. Vendors who are sold out of product can use the duration of the market as an opportunity for education about their business. Early booth disassembly without prior approval may be subjected to a vendor suspension. If a Vendor has an emergency and needs to leave early, please notify Market Management immediately. WINTER MARKET: All Vendors are required to break down and pack up their booth before bringing the vehicle into the back of the school to load.
Vendors are expected to have their booths completely set up at least 15 minutes before the market opens to present a professional venue and to ensure the safety of customers and vendors. Late-arriving vendors may be permitted to set up as space permits. If the assigned space of the late-arriving vendor has been occupied or is inaccessible, the manager will help the vendor find an alternative location. Late arriving SUMMER MARKET vendors may not be allowed to enter the market with a vehicle to set up if customer safety is put at risk.
ELECTRICITY
Electric Fee: Summer $10 per week for each 15 amp electrical plugin/Winter $5 per week for each 15 amp electrical plugin
Manager approval is needed before a Vendor may use any and all types of electrical outlets (i.e. light poles, power panels, spider boxes) at the CVFM.
Vendors must notify the Market Manager if electricity at the booth is required on their application. Electrical requirements must be outlined on market application that includes the type of electrical appliance and electrical amperes necessary for operation. Sources for electricity are limited. The availability is dependent on the number of vendors requiring power. Vendor space location may be limited to accessible power sources.
ATTENDANCE / DATE SCHEDULING
CANCELLATION POLICY
Once a vendor has been approved in Manage My Market for a Market Day, they are obligated to attend that date unless the vendor cancels their reserved market booth space 36-hours before the Market date. Notice may be given via email, phone, text, or in person to the Market Manager. If notice is not provided 36-hours in advance, the Vendor may be required to pay the booth fee before another will be assigned. Any prepayment of booth fee may not be refunded. Withdrawing the date in Manage My Market is the responsibility of the vendor.
CVFM is a rain or shine event and our policy is to not close the market due to weather unless we declare it is unsafe for our attendees. We rely on the NOAA/NWS, as well as other local weather predictions, to make the best decision for our vendors and attendees. Cancellations by vendors due to weather concerns will be discussed on a case by case basis and the Vendor may be charged for their space.
SCHEDULING DATES
All dates of projected attendance must be selected in Manage My Market. Any and all future date changes must be submitted through Manage My Market.
SNAP/EBT Food Stamp Program
How SNAP/EBT Works
Customers can bring their EBT card to the Market Info Booth to receive tokens to use in place of their SNAP/EBT benefits. Those tokens can be received by any authorized vendor who has signed the previously mentioned SNAP/EBT Vendor Agreement. Tokens come in $1 increments, cash MAY NOT be given in change of the tokens. Vendors can submit their SNAP/EBT tokens with their market fees to the Market Manager at the end of each market day. You will then receive reimbursement via check at the next market you attend.
All vendors must agree to participate in the food assistance programs administered at the Market, including, but not limited to: SNAP, WIC, SFMNP, and Produce Perks. These programs provide customers with alternative methods of payment using a token or voucher system.
REGULATIONS
Market Day Conduct and Etiquette
Vendors are required to clean up their sites after each market day. Vendor waste may not be deposited on site or at the Zero Waste Station at the Market Info booth.
Vendors are prohibited from smoking in their booths.
Vendors shall refrain from disparaging the CVFM or other vendors and their products. Disputes not settled by the interested parties may be brought to the manager or his/her representative for arbitration. The manager’s or his/her designated decision is final. The manager may elect to bring the dispute before the market board for a decision. If the vendor would like to dispute a decision, then the matter must be presented to the market board within thirty days.
Vendors shall not give produce or other products away for free or at reduced pricing to potentially undercut sales of other vendors. Dumping large quantities of produce at low prices is not permitted. This does not include product samples or giving good salable produce to charities such as food banks or homeless shelters. Trading between vendors is permissible.
Vendors are not permitted to hawk their products in a loud or repetitive way that interrupts the sales of surrounding vendors, nor are they permitted to pursue sales away from their assigned vendor site.
Vendors are not permitted to play music during market hours.
Market Day Documentation / Permits / Licenses
Vendors are required to carry their own personal and product liability insurance policy for protection in the event of a lawsuit. The market liability policy only covers Cuyahoga Valley Farmers Market Inc., not the vendor.
Vendors are required to identify their farm or business with a written or printed sign affixed to their table or stand. These signs need not be professionally produced but must include the name of the business or vendor and its location.
CVFM will provide the market venue, vendor or exhibitor screening, market liability insurance, advertising, media contacts and promotion, special musician or performance events, fee collection, coordination, and community outreach as well as representation with local government entities as needed.
Product Guidelines
All products must be listed in the vendor profile in Manage My Market.
The products are subject to approval. If the vendor wants to add a new product during the season, prior approval is required from the Market Manager/BOD, and the vendor will have to upload the product in Manage My Market.
Organic Certification: Vendors using the term “organic” about their products must provide a copy of their certification with their application and post a copy of this certification at their stand on market days. If a vendor would like to state, “chemical-free,” “naturally grown,” or “grown without the use of pesticides,” proof will need to be provided to the manager or market board. Proof of exemption eligibility relating to sales volume must be provided to the market manager.
Cuyahoga Valley Farmers Market Inc. is a producers’ only market. Wholesale or retail purchase of items for resale is not permitted. Goods sold shall be grown, baked or otherwise produced by the vendor. “Carrying” or the sale of up to 10% of local but non-vendor-produced products may be permitted with the prior approval of the market manager under the advice of the board of directors. Product-specific definitions are explained in the Producer-Specific Guidelines Addendum below.
Allowed products include, but may not be limited to:A) Raw or minimally processed farm products including produce, eggs, fresh and frozen meat, honey, herbs, annual seedlings, nursery stock, cut flowers, and maple syrup. B) Cottage foods and non-refrigerated baked goods, jams, coffees, and tea are made from scratch using raw ingredients. Products made from prepared dough and mixes are not permitted, with preference given to those made with ingredients that are harvested from your farm or a farm within 100 miles of the farmers’ market. C) Products that require more stringent inspections, regulation, and usually refrigeration, including acidified foods like pickles and relishes, cheese and other dairy products, kinds of vinegar, and ready-to-eat prepared foods. D) Farm Crafts are produced predominantly from materials grown or harvested by the vendor.
Vendors are expected to be aware of and in compliance with all state and local requirements for their product(s). They must comply with all applicable guidelines, obtain all required inspections and licenses, and meet all labeling requirements. Vendors are solely responsible for being aware of the Ohio Department of Agriculture and local Health Department rules and regulations and must display or produce necessary certificates and licenses at their booth or when requested by the Market Manager or a state or local regulatory agent.
Failure to Follow CVFM Guidelines
First offense: Verbal warning.
Second offense: Written warning and immediate removal from the market for the remainder of the day.
Third offense: Termination of market privileges and forfeiture of any paid site fees.
LICENSEs and LABELs
You are individually responsible for complying with all applicable local (county or city), state, and federal requirements for any approval or certification to produce your product for resale and also any necessary license to sell your product at retail. This may include obtaining a license as a mobile retail food establishment.
Produce or items in violation of CVFM Rules and Regulations or local, state or federal requirements may be removed by the Manager.
A Producer who wishes to sell non-exempt products (for example: poultry, eggs, cheese, and meat) at the Market needs to: be verified as an approved source; meet all labeling requirements; and obtain any necessary license to sell retail from their local (county or city) health department.
For additional information on requirements, contact the Ohio Department of Agriculture, Division of Food, Dairy and Drug, 8995 East Main Street, Columbus, OH 43609