The Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market was established in 2004 and enjoys between 3500 and 5500 customers each Saturday (depending on weather and season). The Market currently has 230 vendors on its roster with an average of 125 in attendance on any given Saturday.
The Market is open every Saturday, September through July, on N. Kentucky Avenue. in Downtown Lakeland. Market hours are September – May 8am-2pm; June & July 8am-1pm.
We emphasize handmade, homegrown, wholesome products, with a few exceptions that are carefully controlled. For this reason, not all vendor applications are accepted. Careful consideration is given to the product mix at the Market as well as products that might compete with our Bricks & Mortar Downtown neighbors. Highest priority is given to produce and other high quality packaged food products that support a farmers market atmosphere.
If your are looking for general customer FAQs about the Market, please see the FAQ link.
Space is limited by product category, not necessarily by the Market’s overall space availability. We are not a “flea market” or a place for ordinary resale of products or independent consultants/distributors or marketing of service businesses looking for a place to advertise or collect new clients. Non-food vendors must meet high standards of craft/artisan designation by the Market committee.
The Market is owned and operated by the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority and vendors must undergo a rigorous application and orientation process. Before applying, it is in your best interest to read all of the Frequently Asked Questions below to 1) determine if this Market is the right fit for your business and 2) so that you better understand the process.
What kind of vendors are accepted at the Farmers Curb Market?
The Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market emphasizes homegrown, handmade and homemade items with some exceptions depending on the product type. Non-food vendors must meet high standards of craft/artisan designation by the Market committee. Food vendors are a broad category which includes cottage food items, packaged foods and ready to eat foods.
What kind of vendors are NOT ACCEPTED at the Farmers Curb Market?
We are not a “flea market” or a place for ordinary resale of products or independent consultants/distributors or marketing of service businesses looking for a place to advertise or collect new clients OR a place for retail stores or restaurants/food or drink stores to set up a remote location. We do not accept FOOD TRUCKS due to lack of space but some small trailers may be accepted.
How much does it cost to be a Vendor at the Market?
Vendors pay Shared Marketing Costs (SMC) $35-$50 per attendance. Produce farmers get a discount as long as they exclusively sell their home grown produce. Additional space available at an additional cost.
You can read more details about what is expected and definitions of SMC HERE.
Are sales subject to sales tax?
Yes. Vendors are responsible for charging and collecting sales tax for items that require it. Vendors must provide the Market with their Sales Tax Certificate.
What licenses are needed to sell food at the Market?
Sales Tax License is required for those selling items that are taxable including ready-to-eat foods.
Vendors who prepackaged food items who are not regulated under the Cottage Food Act must be licensed with the Department of Agriculture. To learn more about the requirements contact the Department of Agriculture at 850.245.5520.
Vendors with products deemed Cottage Foods are not regulated by the Department of Agriculture. Read the attached Cottage Food Documents below for more information.
COTTAGE FOOD LAW
Vendors who sell ready-to-eat foods are regulated by the Department of Health and require a license through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and a Food Handlers License. Their contact number is 850.487.1395.
Vendors who only sell at the Downtown Farmers Curb Market are covered by the Market’s Business Tax License with the City of Lakeland. If vendors sell elsewhere they should have their own Business Tax License.
What licenses are needed to sell plants at the Market?
In order to sell plants at the Market, vendors must have either a nursery license or a stock dealer license. Click here to learn more.
Are non-profits allowed to set up at the Market?
Yes, 501c3 organizations with approval of the Market Manager are allowed once per quarter and only as space allows.
How are the locations of the Vendors determined?
The Market Manager determines the location of vendors based on space availability, vendor products, and needs and overall flow of the Market. Vendors do not get to chose their locations.
Can Vendor space be shared by multiple businesses?
No. You may not invite other businesses to be in your space.
How long does it take before a business can begin as a vendor at the Market?
Applications are open June 1-June 30 and December 1 – December 31. NOT ALL APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED. If you are accepted, from the application to your first day as a vendor may take up to 3 weeks. The application process requires the completion of many vendors forms, the submission of any required permits or licenses and insurance required by the products you wish to sell and the completion of a vendor orientation. If you complete the onboarding process in a timely manner, June applications would start in September and December applications would start in March.
How do I apply to be a vendor at the Downtown Lakeland Farmers Curb Market?
Applications are closed but for the open application periods of June and December.
***Applications are open from December 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
BELOW IS A DETAILED BREAKDOWN OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS.
We have met our limit for the following products at the Market at this time. Updated OCT 2024
- Honey
- Ice cream
- Shaved ice, Sno-cones
- Coffee & Coffee Products
- Bottled Juices
- Lemonade – all ready to drink drinks
- Hand crafted wood signs
- Steel cut signs and decor
- Embroidery items
- Crochet items
- Macrame items
- Resin items
- Polymer Clay items
- Screen print items (including but not limited to T-shirts, other clothing, bags, stickers, decals. etc)
- Sublimation items
- Re-sale of herbs/plants
- Popcorn Products
- Candles/Essential Oils
- Aromatherapy
- Soaps/bath products/body products
- Jewelry
- Headbands/hair accessories
- Pet items/treats/apparel
- Fudge
- Baked goods – cupcakes, cakes, cookies, muffins, pastries, etc.
- Hats, bags, purses
- Guacamole
Vendors applying with any of these products will most likely not be accepted.
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There are many products that are not appropriate for the Market including but not limited to:
• businesses who want to advertise a service
• businesses with an existing bricks & mortar (commercial/retail location)
• multi-level marketing products
• mass produced, manufactured items that are re-packaged and/or minimally altered by the vendor
• items that are pre-manufactured such as tumblers, mugs, t-shirts, etc.
• advocacy groups that are not a 501c3 organization – either selling items or dispersing information
• Political groups or candidates
• CBD products
• Supplements
Applications are only open twice per year – June 1 to June 30 and December 1 to December 31. Market staff will review all applications submitted in July (for June applications) and January (for December applications) and notify vendors of their status in July and January – either accepted or not accepted by July 15 and January 15. There is no longer a waitlist.
STEP 1 : Get to Know the Market
Before applying to be a vendor, we suggest visiting the Market to browse the products sold and experience its atmosphere. The Market Manager is on site each Saturday to manage the operations of the Market. She is NOT available to discuss the vendor process in detail on these busy Saturdays, which is why the process is detailed here. You may also want to speak with some of the vendors to get their experiences at the Market. Our Facebook page is another great way to get a feel for what goes on here and get a sense of our community.
STEP 2 : Review the Vendor Agreement and the Rules & Regulations
You can read a generic version of the agreement details at this link: AGREEMENT DETAILS
Vendors do not “rent space” at the Market. Fees are based on the vendor’s rate for Shared Marketing Costs (SMC). You can read about Shared Marketing Costs in the agreement details linked above. Accepted vendors start out as PART TIME. Market staff will evaluate Vendors after a period of time and “invite” vendors to be full time.
QUICK FACTS TO NOTE:
- Vendors do not need a business tax license from the city or county IF THE ONLY LOCATION THEY SELL THEIR GOODS IS AT the Downtown Farmers Curb Market. The Market’s tax licenses cover the vendors at the Market but not other markets or locations that vendors wishes to participate in. Vendors who sell at other locations besides the Downtown Farmers Curb Market, including ONLINE SALES, still need a county and city business tax license to sell at those locations.
- All Vendors who sell taxable foods/goods must have a sales tax ID number. Be prepared to send a copy of your tax ID certificate as part of the required documents. You will also be required to display your certificate at your booth each Saturday.
Food Vendors have different criteria depending on whether they qualify under the Cottage Food Act or require state licensing through the Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) or the Department of Agriculture (see links at the bottom of the page). But all food vendors & some farmers are required to have general liability insurance with the LDDA and City of Lakeland as an additional insured. See the details about this in the vendor agreement details text linked above.
NON-FOOD Vendors require only a sales tax certificate.
STEP 3 : Complete the New Vendor Application Online Form Below during the open application periods: June 1-30 and December 1-31. Be sure to list IN DETAIL ALL the products you wish to sell, including food ingredients such as dairy, vegetables, and meats. This is used to determine your eligibility and the vendor agreement type we send you to complete if accepted. Vague information will automatically be rejected.
You can not change or add to your product list once approved without starting the process over again.
STEP 4 : Submit Your Products’ photos via Email – send to DFCMmanager@gmail.com
Immediately after completing the online vendor application form above, prospective vendors should email the Market Manager with descriptions and photos of what you wish to sell at the Market. The more detail the better. The Market requires creative process pictures or a video for vendors who create their products. You are required to send process pictures or video of you making/creating your product. This needs to include a picture of YOU, not just hands and the pictures must show various stages of the production process.
Maybe you represent a non-profit 501c3 organization and would like a table at the Market to share your information. We allow that on a limited basis, with the approval of the Market Manager. We require non-profits who wish to set up to 1) Provide something of value to the Market’s customers like a small treat along with information and 2) Stay for the duration of the Market’s hours, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., unless prior exceptions have been granted by the Market Manager. 3) Complete the Vendor Application Form Online. If approved you will be sent an agreement to fill out and return.
STEP 5 : Once all applications from the open application period have been reviewed, we will email you. If approved, we will send a series of emails with required paperwork to be filled out and returned along with required licenses, etc. We will also send you an invoice via email for the $30 refundable deposit. See the agreement for the conditions by which the deposit is refundable.
We do not begin processing any paperwork sent to us until the deposit is paid.
You are not eligible to set up at the Market until all required paperwork is turned in, you have completed your over the phone orientation call with the Market Manager AND you have received the “Welcome to the Market” email from LDDA staff.
MARKET APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED UNTIL DEC 1, 2024 AND WILL BE OPEN FOR 30 DAYS UNTIL DEC 31, 2024.
Reference materials:
| Department of Revenue – Apply for a sales tax certificate here | |
| Department of Agriculture Cottage Food Information | |
| Department of Agriculture Food Permit Information
Department of Business & Professional Regulation Department of Agriculture Feed Master Registration Department of Agriculture Fertilizer Registration & Labeling Guidelines |
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| SNAP VENDOR AGREEMENT – Only SNAP eligible food product vendors need this agreement
Do you need a commissary? We know of 1: |