Producer Requirements

The Arlington Farmers' Market begins its 25th year in 2004. Because we value you as purveyors of fine produce in Arlington, we want you to know the latest rules and regulations.

• Producer Only Rule
  The Arlington Farmers' Market was founded on the producer-only principle: all products sold must be raised or made by the producer. The market has flourished under this rule. The producer-only rule nurtures local farmers and insures the freshest and highest quality foods possible for our customers. NO RE-SALE OF ANY PRODUCT IS ALLOWED, EVER.
• Eligibility
  Who is eligible to sell in the Arlington Farmers' Market? Producers of any kind must come from within a 125-mile radius of Arlington, VA. Our producers come from as far south as Hanover, VA (near Richmond) and north to the fruit-growing region of SE Pennsylvania, as well as west to the Shenandoah Valley. The radius limit helps support local farmers by providing them a direct market opportunity. At the same time, it insures a longer harvest season for our customers. In an effort to introduce new or under-represented farm products to our customers, the market may choose to extend the radius limitation.
• Space Availability
  At present, there are no spaces available for new producers. When spaces become available, they are filled on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration products already available in the market, and customer preferences.
• Attendance and Fees
  Once accepted into the market, the producer must attend twenty markets to reserve their space for the following year, provided they are in good standing otherwise. Temporary sales of a few weeks are not allowed. Producers are charged $8 per Saturday they attend. There are no discounts for paying in advance. This helps instill loyalty among customers by guaranteeing that a particular producer will always be there. In addition, there is an annual fee of $80 per producer to help cover advertising and promotion costs.
• Hours of Operation
  The market operates from 8 a.m. to noon all season long. Producers must be in place by 7AM and may use the next hour for set-up purposes. Bagging and selling begins promptly at 8AM with the ringing of the opening bell. Selling ends at noon with the closing bell.
• Products that may be sold include fresh fruit, vegetables, cut flowers and potted plants, herbs, cider, honey, Christmas trees and greens, jams, jellies, pickled produce, breads and other approved baked goods. Approved meats, eggs, cheese, and/or farm-raised fish may also be sold. Canned fruits and vegetables and crafts are not permitted however, permission can be sought for exceptions. Arlington is a growing and diverse urban community. Because of its proximity to Washington, DC, its residents come from, or have lived, all over the world. Producers who grow a wide variety of products which ultimately help satisfy the tastes and desires of our multi-ethnic community are especially encouraged.
• Producers receive assigned spaces for the entire season. More than five consecutive unexplained absences from the market constitute abandonment of the reserved space.
• Producers may give samples to customers, in compliance with Arlington County health department rules.
• Baked goods must be handled in accordance with the rules and regulations described in the Bakers Certificate form. Current kitchen inspection reports through the Virginia or other states' health department are required.
• Charges of $8 per market will be billed bi-monthly. Applications will be accepted only from producers whose prior year fees have been paid in full.