Vendor Information 

 Our small market is the perfect environment for building relationships with growers and building a deeper relationship with where your food comes form. Spend some time getting to know our fabulous small producers on the web and at the market!

CCFM is  a producer only market- items you retail at the market must be a product of your farm or home. There is no resale of others products.

• Where is this market? Where do I unload?
  • The Winter Farmers Market will be held from 10am-1pm in the concourse of the University Mall at 1237 E Main St, Carbondale. Please use the east side entrance, by Bed Bath and Beyond and the movie theatre. Once vendors have unloaded their vehicles, they are asked to park in the main lot. Meat vendors who need access to freezers in trailers will also need to park their trucks in the parking lot. It is requested that you plan to arrive between 8:45 and 9am to avoid blocking out produce and craft vendors needing to unload. 
• When is set up/tear down?
  • Set up is between 8:45-10am. Please plan to arrive before 9:20am to give yourself adequate time to get set up. No set up after 10am except in case of emergency or unless previously OK-ed with market manager. Please communicate prior to 8:00 if something comes up and you cannot make it so I can rearrange the market to eliminate gaps. If you need to leave early for any reason, please contact the market manager prior to market.
• How much are fees? Do I have to report my sales?
  • Vendor fees are on a sliding scale this season based on sales. This is an honor system. Please be honest and as accurate as possible in reporting your sales totals at the end of the day either to the market manager directly, or though an anonymous reporting slip.
• How much space can I take up?
  • Stall space is approximately 10-12 feet. Two tables in an L shape is the ideal set up for the winter farmers market, as it allows for some space between vendors.
• A customer shows up at 9:30, can I sell to them?
  • The market starts at 10am. No early sales are permitted. If you have made pre-arrangements with a regular customer to pick up a special order outside of market hours, please pre-approve it with the market manager.
• What’s the difference between the wooden nickels?
  • There are red SNAP tokens in $1 and $2 increments. These are only valid on food items and have no cash value. Please do not make change for the red tokens. We also have $5 black credit/debit tokens. These can be used like cash, and change can be given.
  • You can redeem tokens towards the end of the market day, or whenever you have a sufficient amount. The market manager will write you a check for the token value and provide a receipt.
• What is the Link Match program?
  • The Link Match program provides match funds for low income customers using their LINK cards at market. Link Match coupons are only good on fresh fruits and vegetables. Vendors can redeem coupons at the end of market day along with any SNAP or credit/debit tokens they receive.
• There is no smoking allowed in the building or directly outside in front of the mall.
• What is Food Works, and why is it involved with the market?
  • Food Works is a 501c3 non-profit facilitating the development of a regional food economy in Southern Illinois. Food Works’ mission in three fold: educate sustainable farmers; improve access to local food; and create awareness about the value of local food. Food Works’ has been involved with the market since its inception as an advocate, and now as a managing body. Food Works staff provide market management and development that is focused on improving local food access for low income populations, creating a viable market to support beginning sustainable farmers, and fostering community partnerships that sustain the market. 

If you have any questions or want to be added to the vendor contact list please reach out to the market manager, Karen Jensen-Britton, at karen@fwsoil.org