Market Day Operations

The Market’s site is located in and around Wichita’s Farm & Art Plaza in front of The Museum of World Treasures (835 E. 1st St. N. Wichita, KS 67202) at 1st and Rock Island.

Open every Saturday April through the third week in December
(Except Thanksgiving weekend)

April - October: 8am-1pm

November - December: 10am-1pm

Setup begins 2 hours prior to Market opening. All Vendors must be ready for business by Market opening time.

Vendors arriving less than 30 minutes prior to opening are considered late and must receive management approval to set up.

A. STALL SPACE ASSIGNMENT

1. Vendor stalls are assigned by Management and may vary from week to week. Vendors must accept the stall space assigned by Management.

2. Vendor stalls are 10’x10’ each. Vendors may rent up to two stall spaces per Market day. Management from time to time may rent to a vendor more than two stall spaces for the enhancement of the Market.

3. An online interactive map is updated every Thursday and reflects vendor’s stall assignments that week. It is the responsibility of every vendor to check the map before the Market to see where to setup. The map is located on the Market’s website on the “Market Map” page.

4. Due to late cancellations and “No Shows”, changes in stall assignment may occur.

5. Vendors may not sublet or share stall space with other vendors or another company/organization that might be considered an eligible vendor.

6. The number of approved vendor’s stall spaces for each category of products shall be set by Management.

7. Space dimensions and assignments must be respected.

B. STALL APPEARANCE

1. A 10’ x 10’ canopy is required for all Markets. Larger canopies require pre-approval by Management. Vendors are responsible for ensuring that canopies are adequately weighted during inclement weather. Canopies can be rented from the Market; pricing information is detailed in Section 6 of this document.

2. Vendors are required to post an identification sign (at least 12” x 24”) in a prominent place stating the vendor’s business name and location. This is also a state requirement for all food vendors.

3. Signage including product prices, vendor identification, and industry certifications must be clear and visible. All items for sale must be clearly marked with the retail price. Prices may be posted on the product or posted as a list of prices on a large sign or board. False advertising and dishonest marketing strategies are forbidden (as determined by Management).

4. Vendors must display their products neatly and attractively, with consideration for the other vendors and the public. A well thought out display is a great strategy for increasing sales. Vendors shall only display or advertise items that have been approved for sale. All products offered for sale at Market must be pre-approved by Management.

5. Vendors are responsible for keeping their space clean and attractive during Market hours.

6. Vendors operating appliances or equipment that is a potential fire hazard are required to have a suitable fire extinguisher easily accessible in their booth.

7. Every vendor is required to obtain a Retail Sales Tax Certificate which must be uploaded to your vendor application and must be clearly displayed at every Market. This is also a state requirement.

8. Booth disassembly is not permitted until the Market closes, without exception.

9. Vendors must clean up their stall space after the Market closes, including sweeping up any debris and removing all trash. All trash generated by vendors must be removed at the end of the day for off-site disposal. On-site trash receptacles are for customer use only.

Vendor vehicles will be parked for up to eight hours so please be mindful of market customers and area businesses.  

Unless you have been assigned a designated plaza perimeter space that includes a parking spot, the plaza perimeter may not be used for load-in prior to the market.

Parking spaces close to the market site should be considered customer parking and should not be used by vendors. See Vendor Parking Map here. The areas outlined in yellow are approved for vendor parking.

Together, we are the Market. We must work collectively to maintain a professional and engaging sales foundation that works for all of us. Furthermore, it is our combined responsibility to deliver an inviting, friendly, and fun experience for our customers.

Customer interactions and relationships are of vital importance to ensuring that your goals and objectives are met and are equally important to the overall Market’s success. Conduct by vendors that is detrimental to the reputation or operation of the Market is not permitted. Any difficulty experienced with customers or other vendors should be promptly reported to Staff or Management. Vendors who do not comply with the standards of conduct as outlined herein may be subject to discipline as set forth in Section 17 of this document.

A. CONDUCT

1. Vendors will in no way cause detriment to other vendors and are expected to always conduct themselves professionally, behaving courteously toward Market staff, customers, other vendors, and stakeholders.

2. Vendors are not permitted to disparage other vendors or products.

3. Old Town Farm & Art Market does not tolerate targeting, discrimination, intimidation, or harassment of any kind (as determined by Management).

4. No politics or political campaigning is permitted. All signs, clothing, stickers, symbols, etc. that could be deemed to be political or advancing one’s ideology is prohibited. This zero-tolerance rule applies to vendors, products, and guest organizations.

   • The flag of the United States of America is not political. It is the symbol of “We the People” and represents all Americans.

   • The promotion of American liberty, independence, or freedom in general, are characteristics unique to the United States of America and are not viewed as political.

   • Thin Blue Line and Thin Red Line pays homage to police and firefighters and are not considered political.

   • Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard related items/symbols are also not considered political.

5. Behavior such as interfering with other vendor company sales, shouting, fighting, selling products in an aggressive way, or “hawking” detracts from the friendly atmosphere of the Market and will not be tolerated. Hawking can be defined as: yelling, barking, or screaming to promote your product.

6. Any activity considered to be damaging to the Market’s friendly and inclusive atmosphere (as determined by the Management) can result in that person or persons immediate elimination from the Market.

7. Vendors are responsible for the actions of their representatives, employees, agents, and family members.

8. Vendors are not permitted to play radios or use other sound-generating electronics during Market hours.

9. Vendors are not allowed to smoke within the Market area at any time.

10. Tobacco products may not be sold, consumed, or advertised at the Market.

11. Product dumping is not allowed. Predatory pricing or pricing products far below the cost to produce them will not be allowed. Competition is good for everyone, but undercutting potential sales for other vendors could destroy the Market’s viability. Please take time to know your production costs and set your prices at a fair market value. Upon request, Management is available to help you navigate your organization’s production costs and product pricing.

12. Vendors believed to be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol and/or behaving in an unprofessional manner may have their permission to sell at Market revoked.

13. Old Town Farm and Art Market provides Equal Opportunity to all approved vendor companies and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. The Market is committed to the principle of this opportunity for all vendors and to providing our vendors with a Market environment free of discrimination and harassment. This is a zero-tolerance rule of conduct.

B. APPEARANCE

1. Vendors must be neat and appropriately dressed.

2. Individual name tags are required and must be worn at all times during Market hours. Vendors have the option to create and wear their own personalized name tags or the Market will furnish them upon request.

A. CASH AND CREDIT SALES

Vendor companies should have enough small change on hand to accommodate cash sales and should also acquire a point of sale (POS) or point of purchase (POP) system, which allows for credit and debit sales. The Market uses a POS system called Square. Square card readers for smart phones are FREE. Square can be used with a smart phone or tablet and allows you to accept payments easily, quickly, and securely. The Market cannot act as an ATM for vendors or customers.

B. SNAP/EBT SALES

All Vendors, including employees, are required to understand the rules of acceptance for SNAP and DUFB currency. These programs are essential to create greater access to the Market and to increase sales for Market vendors. Sale of ineligible items with SNAP and DUFB currency is illegal and risks the Market’s ability to administer these necessary programs.

• SNAP customers are eligible to use their EBT cards to purchase SNAP tokens at the Information Booth which they can then use to purchase eligible food at the Market.

• SNAP Benefits CAN buy foods such as: breads and baked goods to take home, fruits and vegetables, meats, edible seeds, fish, poultry, dairy products, and plants intended to grow food.

• SNAP Benefits CANNOT buy: Alcohol, any nonfood items, such as: Pet foods, soaps, paper products, household supplies (décor), vitamins and medicines, food that will be consumed at the Market (hot foods, juices, etc.). It is illegal to exchange SNAP tokens for these purchases.

• SNAP eligible customers are able to purchase RED $1 tokens at the Information Booth with their EBT/SNAP cards. These tokens are then used to purchase eligible foods at the Market. Other local markets issue SNAP tokens so be sure to only accept OTFAM’s tokens. If it has another market’s name on the token, OTFAM cannot reimburse you for it.

• $1 tokens may never be given as change for any Market purchases for any reason.

• When possible, please work with SNAP customers to modify purchases to reach a whole dollar value.

C. DUFB SALES

The Market offers Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB), which is a program that doubles the amount of money that SNAP customers can spend to purchase Kansas grown fruit and vegetables at participating markets.

• SNAP customers receive FREE Double-up Food Bucks (DUFB) AQUA tokens with their SNAP token purchase.

• SNAP purchases are matched dollar for dollar up to $25 per day.

• DUFB tokens can ONLY be redeemed for Kansas grown fruits and vegetables with participating vendors.

• Participating vendors must sign a Vendor Agreement before accepting Double-up Food Bucks tokens.

• $1 tokens may never be given as change for any Market purchases for any reason.

• When possible, please work with DUFB customers to modify purchases to reach a whole dollar value.

• Silver and Purple $1 Double Up Food Bucks tokens are no longer accepted.

D. SNAP AND DUFB TOKEN REDEMPTION

Vendors should bring their SNAP and/or DUFB tokens to the Information Booth by the close of the Market for redemption. The Market will not accept token amounts smaller than $20.00. Tokens should be divided separately by $1 SNAP tokens, and $1 DUFB tokens and counted before arriving at the booth. Vendors will receive a receipt for the tokens and reimbursement checks will be hand-delivered to the vendor at next week’s Market. If the vendor is not returning to the Market or upon request, the check will be mailed to the address on file with OTFAM. Any $1 tokens used to purchase ineligible items will be retained by OTFAM without reimbursement.

OTFAM is a rain or shine Market. We will not cancel a Market due to weather unless we determine that it will be unsafe for vendors and attendees. Vendors will forfeit their stall fees if they choose not to participate because of weather. Stall fees will be applied to an alternate date ONLY if the Market does not open because of unsafe weather conditions. (“No Show” vendors will be charged the Cancellation Fee as described in Section 15 of the Rules and Regulations.)

Open air markets are bustling public places that can create a prime environment for suspicious behavior. Below are some basic precautions everyone can take to maximize safety and security efforts.

MARKET SAFETY:

1. Vendors are responsible for ensuring that canopies are adequately weighted to prevent movement in wind and inclement weather.

2. The hours before opening and after closing are particularly vulnerable times for theft. We do not allow people who are not associated with the Market to loiter prior to the Market opening. All suspicious people who seem to be loitering before the Market opens should be reported to staff.

3. Be alert. Know your surroundings and who or what should or should not be there.

4. Trust your instincts. Never enter a situation where you feel unsafe.

5. Do not make judgments about what may or may not be a serious situation and do not assume that someone else is handling it or has called the police. Safety and security are everyone’s responsibility.

6. During your time at the Market, you may be in a situation where you must confront a suspicious person. Tactfully and politely greet the individual and offer your assistance if appropriate. (ie. “Welcome to the Market! Can I help you?”) If the person is there for legitimate reasons, he or she will appreciate the attention that you show them. Someone who is not there for good reasons does not want attention drawn to them.

7. If you feel uncomfortable talking to a suspicious person or if your suspicions continue after making contact, report the situation to Market staff immediately. If you are alone at your booth and do not feel comfortable stepping away, please ask a Market neighbor to assist you in alerting management or reach out by calling or texting the market’s cell phone.

8. Wichita Police Department’s Homeless Outreach Team and Market Management strongly recommend that vendors do not give food and/or items to homeless individuals while attending the Market. Wichita has an abundance of organizations that exist to help people in need. For more information, please see the H.O.T. Brochure which identifies available community resources. Dial 211 for information on thousands of services to find help or to volunteer.

BOOTH SECURITY:

1. Never leave your booth unattended. If one person is operating your business at the Market, ask an adjacent vendor to keep an eye on things while you are away. Keep in mind, they are also working and engaging with customers, so be sure to lock up valuables such as tablets, smartphones, credit card swipers, and your cash box before you leave.

2. Throughout your time at the Market, keep your items organized. Keeping your things organized makes it easier to notice if something is wrong or out of place.

3. Greet each customer. Establish eye contact and remember their general appearance. Good customer service can discourage thieves. This attention to detail conveys control and puts people on notice that they have been observed and can be identified later.

4. It is also important to consider security outside of your booth. Always lock your vehicle and do not leave items in plain view inside your vehicle.

5. If someone makes you feel uncomfortable, notify staff immediately. If you are alone at your booth and do not feel comfortable stepping away, please ask a Market neighbor to assist you in alerting management or reach out by calling or texting the market’s cell phone.

A. ARRIVAL PROCEDURE

1. Arrival and setup begins two hours prior to the Market opening. All Vendors must be setup and ready for business by Market opening time.

2. Vendors who are assigned stall space on Mosley, Rock Island, or in the middle of Farm & Art Market Plaza are expected to quickly and efficiently unload all supplies and products within their designated space, then park their vehicles, and return to unpack products and set up.

3. Vendors arriving less than 30 minutes prior to Market opening are considered late. Late arrivals may not be allowed to set up and must have permission from Management prior to setting up.

4. Vendors are expected to park in the parking lot east of River City Brewery and on the North side of parking lots off of 1st Street, leaving the closest parking for customers. No vendor parking in lots along Douglas. Parking spaces close to the Market site should be considered customer parking and will not be used by vendors.

B. DEPARTURE PROCEDURE

1. Vendors may not break down and/or load up products, materials and equipment before closing time.

2. Booth disassembly is not permitted until the Market closes. Exceptions may be made in case of emergency (see Management).

3. Vendors must clean up their stall space after the Market closes, including sweeping up any debris and removing all trash. All trash generated by vendors must be removed at the end of the day for off-site disposal. On-site trash receptacles are for customer use only.

4. Vendors must vacate the Market site no later than 2:00 PM.

Old Town Farm & Art Market is a professionally operated market. Vendors are expected to understand and comply with all Market Day Operational requirements, Rules & Regulations, and applicable federal, state, and local laws.

When Management believes a vendor has violated Market policies or operational standards, Management may take action as deemed appropriate, including but not limited to:

• Verbal or written warnings

• Required corrective action

• Probationary status

• Suspension of selling privileges

• Removal from the Market

Management reserves the right to condition, modify, limit, suspend, or terminate a vendor’s permission to sell at the Market at any time.

In situations where immediate action is necessary to protect the Market’s reputation, customer health and safety, or the welfare of vendors, staff, or the public, Management may impose immediate suspension, effective without prior notice.

Vendors may request reconsideration of certain Management decisions in accordance with the Market’s Rules & Regulations. The Rules & Regulations govern all disciplinary procedures and are controlling in the event of any conflict..