Join the Downtown Lakeland Farmers Curb Market
Since 2004, the Downtown Lakeland Farmers Curb Market has become one of Central Florida’s premier farmers markets, welcoming 3,500–5,500 visitors every Saturday and featuring approximately 125–150 vendors each week.
Purpose of the Market
The Downtown Farmers Curb Market (“Market”) is a LDDA-operated program established to:
- Increase public access to fresh agricultural products and locally produced foods;
- Support local farmers, ranchers, food producers, and small businesses;
- Promote economic vitality within Downtown Lakeland;
- Provide residents and visitors with a high-quality, safe, and diverse shopping experience; and
- Encourage products and activities that complement the Market’s agricultural and community-focused mission.
The Market is a curated municipal commercial program. Participation is by application and approval only. Vendor space is limited, and acceptance is not guaranteed.Nothing in these Rules creates a right or entitlement to participate in the Market.
Nature of the Market
The Market is not an open marketplace available to all applicants.
The LDDA intentionally curates the Market to maintain an appropriate mix of products, preserve vendor diversity, support the agricultural mission of the Market, and provide the greatest benefit to customers and participating vendors.
We are committed to offering a carefully curated mix of:
- Homegrown Products
- Handmade Goods
- Homemade Foods
- Artisan Crafts
- Local Produce
Every application is carefully reviewed to ensure the Market maintains a balanced product mix while supporting our Downtown businesses.
Eligible Vendors
Eligible applicants include:
Tier 1 – Agricultural Producers
- Farmers
- Growers
- Ranchers
- Beekeepers
- Plant and nursery vendors
Tier 2 – Food Producers
- Bakers
- Specialty food producers
- Cottage food operators
- Prepared food vendors
- Seafood and meat producers (where permitted)
Tier 3 – Artisan Vendors
- Handcrafted goods
- Agricultural-related crafts
- Home and garden products
- Other artisan products determined by the Market Manager to complement the Market’s mission.
Please Note: Space availability is determined by product category—not by the number of available vendor spaces.
***Applications are closed at this time and will open again on December 1, 2026***
Market Information
| Season | Every Saturday • September through July |
| Location | Downtown Lakeland on N. Kentucky Avenue |
| Hours (Sept–May) | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
| Hours (June–July) | 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM |
Looking for customer information instead?
Visit our Customer FAQ page.
Vendor Selection Criteria
Applications shall be evaluated using objective criteria including:
- Consistency with the Market’s purpose.
- Product quality.
- Local production.
- Originality.
- Seasonal availability.
- Product diversity.
- Balance among vendor categories.
- Space availability.
- Vendor history and reliability.
- Compliance with previous Market rules.
- Required licenses and permits.
Meeting these criteria does not guarantee acceptance. Before submitting an application, please understand that we are not:
- A flea market
- A resale marketplace
- A place for wholesale products
- A location for service businesses to advertise
- A venue for MLM companies
- A location for political or religious organizations
- A place for retail stores to operate satellite booths
- A non-profit showcase
Our goal is to preserve the authentic farmers market experience while maintaining a healthy balance between vendors.
Products Currently at Capacity
To maintain variety, we periodically limit certain product categories.
Closed Category List:
- Jewelry
- Candles & Essential Oils
- Soap & Bath Products
- Crochet
- Resin Art
- Woodworking
- Permanent Jewelry
- Honey
- Coffee Products
- Lemonade & Ready-to-Drink Beverages
- Ice Cream
- Popcorn
- Dirty Sodas
- Tea
- Baked Goods
- Chocolate Products
- Pet Products
- Screen Printed Products
- Sublimation Products
- 3D Printing
Updated: June 2026
Applicants selling these products may still apply, but note acceptance is unlikely unless it fills a current market need.
Activities Not Eligible for Vendor Space
Vendor space is reserved for the sale of products consistent with the Market’s purpose.
The following activities are not eligible for regular vendor space:
- General fundraising.
- Membership recruitment.
- Distribution of literature unrelated to the Market.
- Commercial services unrelated to products sold at the Market.
- Political campaigning.
- Petition circulation.
- Religious outreach.
- General advocacy campaigns.
- Solicitation of donations.
These restrictions apply equally without regard to viewpoint, ideology, or organizational status.
Community Education Booths
The Market Manager may approve a limited number of educational booths that directly support the purposes of the Market.
Examples include:
- UF/IFAS Extension
- Master Gardeners
- Nutrition education
- Florida Fresh initiatives
- Pollinator education
- City-sponsored environmental programs
- City/County departments sharing information relevant to the operations of the community
Educational booths shall not engage primarily in fundraising, political advocacy, petitioning, membership recruitment, or unrelated promotional activities.
Approval is discretionary and subject to available space.
Reservation of Public Forums
These Rules govern participation as a vendor in the LDDA’s Farmers Curb Market only.
Nothing in these Rules shall be interpreted to prohibit lawful expressive activity in traditional public forums, including public sidewalks, parks, or other public areas where such activity is otherwise permitted by law.
Vendor FAQs:
▼ What types of vendors are accepted?
We prioritize vendors offering homegrown, handmade, homemade, artisan, and specialty food products.
▼ How much does it cost?
Shared Marketing Costs (SMC) range from $35–$50 per attendance depending on vendor category.
Produce farmers receive discounted rates.
▼ What licenses do I need?
Vendors are responsible for charging and collecting sales tax for items that require it. Vendors must provide the Market with their Sales Tax Certificate yearly.
Depending on the type of vendor you are and the products you sell you might need to provide us with the following licenses:
- Cottage Food
- Department of Agriculture
- DBPR
- Department of Health
- Plant licenses
Vendors are responsible for knowing what license they need in order to run their business.
▼ How are vendor locations assigned?
Market Management assigns vendor spaces based on:
- Product mix
- Customer flow
- Space availability
- Electrical needs
Specific location requests will not be accommodated.
▼ Can I share my booth?
No.
Each vendor space is assigned to one approved business only.
▼ How long does the process take?
December applications are reviewed in January and accepted vendors are notified mid-January. Once accepted, onboarding and orientation may take 2-3 weeks.
May applications are reviewed in June and accepted vendors are notified mid-June. Once accepted, onboarding and orientation may take 2-3 weeks.
▼ How do I apply?
Applications are accepted only twice per year through our online application. **Applications are closed at this time**
Application Process:
Step 1: Visit the Market
Experience the atmosphere, explore our vendors, and determine whether the Market is the right fit for your business.
Step 2: Review the Vendor Agreement
Read through:
- Vendor Rules
- Shared Marketing Costs
- Insurance Requirements
- Licensing Requirements
Step 3: Submit Your Online Application
Applications are accepted:
- June 1 – June 30
- December 1 – December 31
Be as detailed as possible when describing every product you intend to sell. Incomplete or vague applications may be rejected.
Step 4: Email Product Photos
After submitting your application, email your:
- Product photos
- Booth display photos (if available)
- Process photos showing how your products are made
Email: FarmersMarket@LDDA.org
Subject: Vendor Name – Photos – *Month**Year*
Step 5: Approval Process
If approved, you’ll receive:
- Acceptance email
- Orientation scheduling
- Vendor Agreement
- Deposit invoice
- Required paperwork
- Insurance instructions
- Welcome Packet
Only vendors who complete all onboarding requirements may begin selling.
Quick Facts:
✔ Applications Open Twice Per Year
- May
- December
June accepted applicants begin attending in September; December accepted applicants begin attending in March of the next year
✔ New Vendors Start as Part-Time
All approved vendors begin as part-time vendors before being considered for full-time placement. Part time vendors are allowed to request Full time status once they have completed a full contract year at the Market.
✔ Product Changes
Approved vendors may not add new products later without submitting them for review.
✔ Market Management Curates Product Mix
Acceptance is based on quality, uniqueness, and current market needs—not simply available space.