Frequently Asked Questions for Market Vendors
Our family (or a friend and I) want to sell at the KCFMA, do we each need a membership? The mission of the KCFMA is to foster local family enterprises. In general, members of a family or partnership who together produce the products to be sold, will hold one membership. If individuals work separately to produce different products they should each apply for membership.
What is a season pass? How do I get one? A Season Pass is available only to members and is an agreement to be able to use the same selling space throughout the season. A Season Pass is a cost advantage if a member plans to participate in more than 10 selling days at one market site. Holding a season pass makes it easier to plan and create customized displays and for customers to find the vendor at the market. The vendor must occupy the assigned space prior to the opening of each market and has other associated responsibilities. Please see the Become a Vendor page for detailed information.
Can more than one member share a season pass or booth? Yes, as long as this is approved by the Board of Directors (for season pass) or the Market Manager (for booth space for one day).
Can a season pass holder share their booth with another vendor? A season pass holder may not share their booth anyone who has not been approved by the Board of Directors or the Market Manager. A season pass holder may not invite another vendor to use their space when present or absent from the market. In the case when a season pass holder misses a market, the Market Manager may assign the space to another vendor at the market.
Do I need a Tax ID to sell at the KCFMA? When you sell goods to the ultimate consumer in Idaho you must obtain a seller’s permit and report sales tax on your taxable sales. The permit is free and obtained from the Idaho State Tax Commission. If you are selling only occasionally you may be eligible for a temporary seller’s permit. You can get more information at the Idaho State Tax Commission. The Kootenai County Farmers’ Market Association requires that you abide by all government regulations. Before you can sell at the market the manager will issue you a form ST-124 to complete so that the market has a copy on file and one that must be provided to the state.
I’m a local musician, how do I get on your schedule? The KCFMA has a volunteer committee in charge of arranging entertainment at both the Saturday and Wednesday markets. They try to have music scheduled in advance for the entire season. Please contact the Market Manager for information.
May I sell baked goods at my booth? This depends on your status as a vendor, as well as where the product was baked and packaged. In general non-members may not sell baked goods unless they are prepared in a commercial kitchen. Members may use their home kitchen for value-added, non-hazardous baked items (as determined by Panhandle Health). In addition, the baked goods must be described and approved through the vendor application process and pass review by the Artistic Review Committee.
Can my family member/friend/employee sell my products for me? Only persons registered on the membership or vendor application may sell in the space. These should be people who directly experience and are familiar with the production of the items offered for sale.
Can I sell a combination of produce/plants and crafts? Assuming you have both grown the produce/plants and made the craft(s), and meet all other KCFMA criteria, you then need to determine what percentage of your products at the beginning of each market day over the entire season, will be in each category. If at least 75% of your products will be agricultural in nature, you may apply for membership in that category.
Can I sell my neighbor’s cherries (or other produce) for him at the market? In general selling products not produced and harvested/created by you is not allowed. If you are accepted for membership in the market and wish to sell an agricultural product produced locally–but not you own–you may apply, in writing, no less than one week in advance to the Board of Directors for an exception. Only items not well represented at the market will be considered.
How do I become a Food Court Vendor? Food Court Vendors are selected by the Board of Directors to prepare and serve food for immediate consumption on the premises of the market. Please see the Become a Vendor and Food Court Vendor pages for complete details. Food which is prepared at home or in a commercial kitchen and packaged for the customer to carry from the market is considered to be a craft and must, along with the vendor, meet all the accompanying conditions and requirements.
Do I have to sell at every market for the entire season? The KCFMA has no requirement as to the number of market days in which a vendor participates. Members of the market who plan to participate in at least 10 market days usually find advantage in obtaining a season pass. The pass is not available to non-members. A season pass holder does have some accompanying responsibilities associated with occupation and absence from the assigned space if they wish to retain their pass. Seasoned vendors have found that having a regular presence at the market is important to their success.
I have a store for my business, can I still sell at the market? Unless you are a Food Court Vendor you may not sell at the Kootenai County Farmers’ Market if your business has a retail outlet. The market provides opportunity for entrepreneurs who have not established their own retail outlet.
When is opening day? The opening day of the season for the Saturday market is always the Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend. This is usually the second Saturday in May. The Wednesday market opens the following Wednesday. The KCFMA holds a work party to set up the Saturday market two weeks prior to opening day.
