Market Rules

We all hate rules, but some are necessary.

1. The Market adheres to the Public Health Act plus any other applicable civic, provincial and federal legislation. Those not complying will be asked to remove the offending items from sale. Click here for the BC Food Safe Guidelines for Temporary Markets.  
2. Setup and start times - Vendors can set up 1 hour prior to the start time. All tables, tents, etc. must be removed within 1 hour of the end of the market.
3. Stall Rental is $10 per market for a 10’x10’ space. $15 per market for a 10’x30’ space (suitable for vehicles), however, it is FREE the remainder of this season.
4. Payment is due within the first hour of the market starting. Fee will be collected by the Market Manager (or delegate) and receipts will be issued.
5. Parking – Certain stalls (10’x30’) allow for vendors to park their vehicles behind their booth. Those who are in the 10’x10’ spots, must move their vehicles to xyz location to allow for customer parking.
6. Permanent Vendors - Vendors who have attended more than 2 markets in a row are considered permanent vendors. By indicating they will attend the next week (in writing, email or a telephone call to the Market Manager), their preferred location will be held for them.
   Weekly Vendor - tent allocations and placement is based on first come first choice, however Permanent Market Vendors spaces are not open to them.
7. Priority is given to Midway and area vendors. If market demand is not met locally then vendors with products from beyond the west Boundary region will be considered.

Our Market will consider the following:

• Vegetables & Fruit
• Baking and Prepared Foods
• Arts & Crafts
• Meat, Dairy, Eggs
• Other Local Businesses (only 20% of our vendors can be in this category.
  For example, if we have 8 vendors selling Vegetables, Baking, Prepared Food, Arts and Crafts, 2 vendors can sell other items such as Watkins or Books)
  Remember that all items sold at an approved market must be new
• No flea market or garage sale items are allowed.

If you do not abide by the Midway Market Rules, there is a 3 stage process culminating in asking you to refrain from attending future markets.
Step 1 - The Market Manager will meet with the parties (individually) to determine the best solution to the problem.
Step 2 - The solution will be agreed upong and implemented.
Step 3 - If there are still issues, a 3rd party will be asked to help mediate the problem.
Step 4 - If there is still no solution, the party will be asked to refrain from attending the markets.

Market Manager Rules as proscribed by the BC Health Authority

 A market manager (or equivalent) should be designated as being in charge of the overall market operation. Market managers are responsible for ensuring that food vendors have obtained approval from the local Health Authority for the sale of higher risk foods, and not allow sales by vendors unless they have produced a Letter of Confirmation (see examples – Appendix V) or a copy of their Permit/Licence to operate. Other responsibilities of market managers should include:

1. Obtaining approval from local/regional government to ensure compliance with local health, zoning, by-law and business license requirements.

2. Prior to the sale of foods identified in Appendix II and III, it is the responsibility of each vendor to contact the local Health Authority. This includes the submission of  within time deadlines established by the local Health Authority. Generally, applications should be submitted at least 30 days prior to commencement of the market/sales. The Health Authority where the facility is located and produces the food has jurisdiction and is responsible for issuing a letter of confirmation for all approved applications.

NOTE:  Letters of confirmation and copies of Permit/Licence to operate will be honored between Health Authorities and events. Vendor applications, once accepted, are not required to be resubmitted to a Health Authority for additional events/locations. However, it is essential that the letter of confirmation or a copy of their Permit/Licence to operate be shown to each Market Manager as part of the event approval process. Vendors are strongly encouraged to have in their possession a copy of the confirmation letter or a copy of their Permit/Licence to operate and any product documentation during any sales event to verify that the products have been reviewed and accepted by the Health Authority with jurisdiction.

Letters of confirmation or copies of their Permit/Licence to operate do not have an expiry date. However, acceptance is conditional to no changes being made to the process or composition of the approved food(s). Applicants should re-apply to a Health Authority in the prescribed format if any changes are made to the process or composition of the food(s), or for any new foods proposed for sale.

Vendors who sell ONLY fresh whole fruits and vegetables or lower risk foods (Appendix I foods) are not required to submit an application, and do not require a letter of confirmation or a copy of their Permit/Licence to operate. Washing station(s) should, however, be supplied as per Section II.5 if samples are portioned/offered on site.

3. Being responsible for ensuring all vendors are aware of all relevant policies and guidelines,

4. Ensuring no home prepared, higher risk foods are sold or offered for sale,

5. Ensuring each vendor completes a list of foods to be sold,

6. It will be the vendor’s responsibility to provide evidence that a food is a lower risk food if such evidence is requested by their Market Manager or their local Health Authority.

6. Maintaining a written record of all vendors and foods sold, and have such records available for review by local Health Authority, upon request,

7. Being present and on-site at all times the market is in operation,

8. Ensuring each vendor provides an acceptable means of hand and utensil washing (see Section II.5).

9. Are recommended to have completed the FOODSAFE Level 1 Program or the MarketSafe program.