Litchfield Hills Farm-Fresh Market
Vendor Selection Criteria
General Acceptance
Litchfield Hills Farm-Fresh Market (LHF-FM) is committed to creating a diverse marketplace with high quality, locally produced products. LHF-FM will not be bound to apply a particular set of selection criteria in every instance and must reserve unconditional discretion in screening and judging vendor applications.
The following factors will be considered:
Education
- Willingness to engage and educate customers about your local farm product
Agriculture
- Ability to provide adequate supply for each week's market between June 14, 2008 and October 11, 2008.
- Preference will be given to the “local” growers and value-added producers, assuming comparable supply volume and product quality
- Products that are grown or processed by the selling vendor
- Producers who use environmentally responsible growing, breeding, raising and harvesting methods (sustainable agriculture practices)
- Balance of farm-fresh growing methods (natural and organic)
Product Quality and Presentation
- Consistently high quality: fresh, flavorful and ripe
- Clean, attractive and appealing displays that include educational materials
- Courteous, customer service oriented, and product knowledge
- Foster a connection between the farmer/producer and the consumer
Conduct and Compliance
- Commitment to/history of compliance with market rules and federal, state and local regulations
- Commitment to the market's spirit of trust and collaboration
- Vendor conduct toward customers, other vendors, market staff and volunteers
- Timely submission of applications, licenses and responsiveness to Market Master requests
Space Availability
- Admission to LHF-FM is subject to space availability
PROCESSED FOODS
In addition to the factors and criteria for general vendor acceptance, processed food products (value-added processed foods) will be juried. Products are evaluated on the following factors:
Ingredient Sourcing (in order of priority)
- Grown by processor
- Sourced locally (from within CT)
- Not sourced locally
Production
- Value-added products must be processed by the vendor
Quality
- Flavor
- Aroma
- Texture
Market Needs
- Product complements LHF-FM mission, i.e. demonstrates our direct producer-to-consumer values and reflects seasonal availability of products
- Market product balance and space availability
Labeling/Packaging
- Legal requirements (weight, ingredients, etc.)
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