Black and white illustration of a table with a loaf of bread, a steaming cup, a potted plant, and a handwritten sign on the wall that says "Make Bake or Grow."

Become a Vendor

At EFM we are constantly impressed by the talent and expertise of the vendors that join our little community. Everything from dedication to reducing waste, sourcing locally from fellow vendors, and volunteering their time to support the market outside of their time as vendors.

Thank you for being a part of this community, or, if you are new, considering joining us!

As members of the BC Association of Farmers Markets (BCAFM) all vendors must abide by the made, baked, or grown in BC policy.

All of our markets are on a single application form. If you are unsure if your product is eligible, please send us an email inquiry and describe your products so that we can advise you accordingly. If you are a Youth Vendor (under 18) please refer to the Youth Vendor Page.

Policies and Procedures
Market Fees
A man at the Esquimalt Farmers Market wearing a blue Los Angeles Dodgers champion hat smiles and holds a sign that reads 'Frozen Tamales One X 6 Six Pack 33'.

  • All prospective vendors must read and agree to our Policies and Procedures. By completing an application you are confirming that you agree with everything contained within.

  • Check out our Vendor Required Certifications Document here.

  • Click here to view our online application. A $15 application fee is due upon submission.

  • Applications are processed on a rolling basis by our team, throughout the year. If we have questions about your application, we will contact you. Approval notices will be sent via email.

  • You will be sent an invoice for the dates that you are accepted for. You can download the Marketwurks App to view your approved/waitlisted dates and view/pay your invoices.

  • All EFM vendors are required to have liability insurance to vend at the market.

    We require this because you are liable if someone slips and falls while you are making a sale, someone trips over your things or in your tent, someone has a reaction to your food/products, or the wind raises your tent and injures a passerby or hits a car.

    See below for some recommendations to help you find appropriate and relevant insurance for your business.

    Insurance must be uploaded to your application and the expiry date entered in the relevant field.

Vendor Application Process.

Apply Here
Fresh vegetables including rhubarb bunches, cauliflowers, radishes, and leafy greens displayed at a farm market stand. A black chalkboard sign reads 'Coming Soon - Eggs, Plant starts'.

Getting Started

  • 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 Officerto 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 annual insurance rates and relevant plans for their Vendor Members. You can find out more about Western Financial vendor insurance here. They also offer members discounted group rates through duuo.ca. with 150 day plans that are valid at multiple markets.

    • For non-BCAFM members, Duuo.ca offers single-day and multi-day coverage. Policies are only valid for a single market location so you may need multiple policies. Please note if you opt for single day coverage you will need to send a new policy before each date that you attend. This option is not appropriate for vendors unless they are occasional/drop-in.

    • Find more information in this handy info sheet.

  • 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.

Support.

Approved vendors will have access to the following additional resources & support:

  • 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.

Questions about becoming a vendor?

Please review all of the information found on this page and under the vendor resources tab before submitting an inquiry. Please provide as much detail as you can about your business and/or products so that we can advise you accordingly.