Market Location: The DCFM is located in the Downtown Calhoun City Park (308 North Wall St., Calhoun, GA 30701).
Market Schedule: Every Tuesday and Saturday from 8AM-12PM (rain or shine). Markets will begin on May 23, 2025 and the last market will be September 19, 2025.
1. Market Overview
The Downtown Calhoun Farmers Market (Market) is owned and coordinated by the Downtown Development Authority of the City of Calhoun (DDA). The mission of the Downtown Calhoun Farmers’ Market (DCFM) is to strengthen Calhoun-Gordon County’s agricultural economy by connecting local farmers, food growers, and small businesses directly with the community in an authentic, welcoming space. The market focuses on farm-fresh produce, meats, eggs, honey, jams, jellies, artisan cheeses, baked goods, coffee, tea, fresh-cut flowers and other hand/homemade or craft products.
2. Vendor Selection and Product Prioritization
The Market is an agricultural focused market and maintains a vendor composition of at least 70% agricultural and food products, including produce, plants, prepared foods, baked goods, and farm-based goods. The Market prioritizes the sale of farm-fresh produce, meats and eggs, honey, jams and jellies, artisan cheeses, baked goods, coffee and tea, fresh-cut flowers, handmade or craft products. Agricultural products and fresh-cut flowers receive priority placement. Remaining spaces may be allocated to approved craft vendors. Vendors selling products they did not produce must clearly identify the source of all such products. Vendor selection is based on the following priorities:
- Agricultural producers located within a 50-mile radius of Calhoun, Georgia will receive priority consideration. Vendors selling produce or agricultural products not of their own production may be approved at the Market’s discretion; however, all such products must be grown in Georgia or within a 150-mile radius of Calhoun, Georgia. Vendors must clearly identify the farm and origin of all products not grown by the vendor.
- Prepared food vendors sourcing ingredients from their own farm or local farms (within 150 miles)
- Returning vendors in good standing who apply within two weeks of application opening
- Vendors requesting participation in most or all Market dates
- Market team may also consider product quality and uniqueness, professional display standards, clear signage, prior compliance with Market rules, vendor attendance history, interactions with customers, staff, and vendors
*Arts & crafts vendors are admitted on a limited basis. The following are prohibited: products not made by vendor, consignment items, wholesale/resale items, commercially produced goods, items from commercial kits or molds.
3. Vendor Requirements
Vendors are expected to meet policies related to market day operations, signage and display and attendance:
- Operations
- Submit vendor application and be approved by Market staff prior to setting up at the Market
- Disclose weekly sales data anonymously for Market reporting
- Space assignments are determined by Market management. While efforts are made to ensure fairness and equity in vendor assignments
- All product categories and any required licenses must be listed in the vendor application. Vendors who wish to add a new product category during the season must notify Market staff and obtain any required licenses before selling the new items.
- Vendors must reapply annually
- Must ensure employees/representatives comply with all Market policies
- Sold-Out Vendors: Vendors who sell out of products may leave early. The Downtown Development Authority of the City of Calhoun (DDA) will provide signage for sold-out vendors.
- Cars must stay within the parking lot during market hours due to public safety requirements, as the area functions as a pedestrian-only zone during the event.
- Vendors requiring electricity are responsible for providing their own extension cords and for the setup and breakdown of their power connections. On-site electricity is limited and not guaranteed. Vendors who have access to a small, quiet generator are encouraged to bring it.
- Licenses, Taxes, and Legal Compliance
- Market policies comply with all applicable guidelines issued by the Georgia Department of Agriculture regarding food products sold at events sponsored by nonprofit organizations. No general business license is required for participation in the Market; however, vendors remain responsible for obtaining all licenses, permits, and certifications required by applicable law. DCFM is not responsible for licenses, permits or certificates.
- Vendors are solely responsible for:
- Obtaining all required licenses, permits, and certifications
- Complying with Georgia Department of Agriculture regulations
- Collecting and remitting all taxes
- Vendors who wish to sell eggs and/or dairy must provide their certification number and be prepared to have a copy of their current Georgia Department of Agriculture certification at their booth.
- Vendors must obtain any licenses, certifications, and permits required by law for all products, and may be required to give copies to the Market Manager to keep on file.
- All home-prepared consumable products must comply with Georgia Department of Agriculture rules.
- Display and Signage
- Provide and set up their own tents, tables, and equipment
- Cover tables with clean and presentable table coverings
- Display professional signage identifying the business
- Clearly display all product prices
- Securely weight all tents
- Be willing to display signage showing where products are produced
- Displaying current licenses, certifications, and inspections is highly recommended. At a minimum, vendors should have copies available at their site.
- Attendance
- Vendors shall maintain consistent attendance consistent with dates provided on their application. Absences must be reported to Market staff no later than three (3) calendar days prior to the missed market day.
4. Prohibited Products
The following products are prohibited:
- Live animals, fowl or fish
- Alcoholic beverages
- CBD products
- Herbal remedies or tinctures
- Products making health or medical claims
- Dietary supplements
- Products represented as treating or preventing medical conditions
- Cotton candy
Handmade confections (chocolates, candies) emphasizing quality and creativity, using high-quality, natural ingredients may be permitted at the discretion of Market management.
The sale of live animals, fowl, or fish is prohibited.
5. Vendor Fees
Standard Vendor Fee
- $25 Vendor Fee includes participation in the Market from May through September and one (1) booth space. Additional booth spaces may be purchased for $10 per 10’ x 10’ space.
Food Trucks/Vehicles w/Trailor Hook Up
- Food trucks may occupy a maximum of three (3) spaces.
100% of vendor fees go toward market programming (entertainment, family activities and other programming to support consistent foot traffic). Fees do not pay for staff or market coordination/administration.
Liability Waiver and Release: The market participant does discharge, release and hold harmless Downtown Calhoun Farmers’ Market and the DDA (as well as the City of Calhoun, and any person or organization affiliated with the Market) for loss, theft, damage, destruction or non-delivery of goods, display material or any other effects; or for any injury to himself/herself, or employees in the event area. I also grant permission to the DDA to use photographs taken of my booth during the market for promotion of future events. The DDA reserves the right to remove any exhibitor or vendor causing problems to fellow exhibitors, vendors, the public, or management. The DDA reserves the right to make final interpretation of all rules. The DDA shall have the right to warn and/or suspend a vendor based on the Market Coordinator's observation of a violation of the rules and regulations. The DDA reserves the right to revise the DCFM Rules and Regulations at any time.