Vendor Guidlines
Rockford City Market Goals
- To provide a weekly ritual in downtown Rockford for residents and visitors to enjoy.
- To promote the sale of locally grown or produced products.
- To grow jobs and businesses by offering the opportunity for local entrepreneurs to test and refine their products, thereby encouraging business incubation or expansion of local businesses to downtown Rockford.
- To provide an educational forum for patrons to learn the uses and benefits of quality, locally grown or prepared food products.
Vendor Guidelines
The Rockford City Market is committed to creating a diverse marketplace with the highest quality, locally* grown and produced products available. Rockford City Market will not be bound to apply a particular set of selection criteria in every instance and reserves unconditional discretion to accept or refuse anyone as a vendor and will consider many factors when evaluating vendor applications. Priority will be given to:
- Local* farmers and producers who bring product to the market that is 100% grown and harvested on farmland they own and/or operate.
- Vendors who create high quality, unique or unusual items not already well represented at the Market.
- Businesses with potential for growth into storefronts in local commercial districts, or products with the potential for commercialization.
- Prepared food vendors with limited menus who offer foods made from fresh healthful ingredients. Approved menus must be adhered to unless preapproved by committee.
- Vendors from the previous season whose presence at the market successfully aligned with the market’s mission. They will have the first opportunity to reserve a space for the following season and must submit their deposit by April 1 or forfeit their space.
We strive for the right mix of products to ensure vendor success and to offer a great experience for shoppers. When multiple potential vendors meet these guidelines, final vendor selection will be up to the Rockford City Market steering committee’s discretion.
Vendors are not automatically renewed and failure to abide by the City Market guidelines may result in removal as a vendor.
Non-profit Organizations
The City Market is not a platform for non-profit organizations to fundraise. Very limited participation by non-profit organizations will be considered by the market steering committee when their mission aligns with the goals stated above. Non-profit organizations are approved for one calendar year only with no automatic renewal. We do offer the opportunity for non-profit organizations to man the market gates and promote your organization at the information booth.
*within 150 miles
Applications
Vendor applications and artist applications for the 2011 market season are now available online.
Click here to pay vendor fees online.
Rules & Regulations
If you have additional questions on the Market's rules and regulations for vendors and performers, please contact the market manager at info@rockfordcitymarket.com or 815.964.4388.
