Rules and Regulations
2026
​​
General
-
The market season begins on the last Saturday in April each year and ends on the Saturday of the Thanksgiving weekend (April 25th to October 10th)
-
The market hours are Saturday from 8:30 AM until 12:30 PM.
-
The aim of the market is to sell homemade, home baked, homegrown or wild foraged products created or foraged by the vendor.
‘Homemade’ means products must have no less than 50 percent home-made content. No products, produce or crafts are to be bought then resold by the vendor. Used goods may only be sold if they have been thoroughly modified and have become part of a new product. -
The market provides space for up to 70 vendor spots. On special occasions (special themed markets), this capacity may be extended to a maximum of 76 vendor spots. The number of season vendors is capped at 50 to provide opportunities for new day vendors to experience the market.
Fees -
The fee for one 10’x10’ stall is $25 for a single market day or $350 for the season and must be paid at, or prior to the first market attended by the vendor. The fee for a second (and third) stall is $20 per market day or $250 for the season. By the fourth market of the season the vendor must choose to either become a seasonal vendor (and pay the balance owing for the summer) or remain as a day vendor and pay the daily rate until the season ends. Payment for markets by day vendors is due before the market day or at the beginning of each market day. Fees will be collected by market staff. Payments are made preferably by e-transfer but can also be made with cheque or cash.
Tuesday markets are not included in the seasonal fees. -
On occasion, vendors may be allowed to share booth space. This will be allowed through a ruling of the market manager on a case-by-case basis and is not a given. Both vendors will pay 75 percent of the total booth cost. (A total of 1.5 of the vendor fee rather than simply double the fee.)
-
The Armstrong Farmers’ Market is not responsible for collecting or remitting taxes.
Attending the market and cancellations -
Seasonal vendors are expected to inform the Market Manager if they are unable to attend before Thursday 6 PM. Drop-in vendors must let the Market Manager know if they would like to attend the market before Thursday 6 PM.
-
All vendors must be in their stall by 7:45 AM or their space may be given to another vendor for that day. No vendor will be admitted to the Market after 8:15 AM unless special permission has been granted by the Market Manager. Earlier arrival is strongly recommended to facilitate easy setting up of the Market. Vendors are not to set up until the ropes are in position.
-
If vendors are occasionally unable to attend the market themselves, they may have a member of their family or staff work at the stall. The market manager must be informed of this prior to that market day.
-
No Vendor is to begin to dismantle their stall until after the close of the Market. Occasional exceptions may be made to vendors who have received approval from the Market Manager.
Requirements for vending at the market -
Those who have a store front operation (exclusive of farm gate sales and home-based businesses) are NOT permitted to sell at the market. Persons operating a franchise business are not permitted to sell at the Armstrong Farmers’ Market. A franchise operator is defined as a person acting as an agent/vendor for another company’s product or brand.
-
Vendors selling at the Armstrong Farmers’ Market must reside within a 70 km radius of the market. This area includes Kelowna, Malakwa, Cherryville, and Monte Lake. At the discretion of the Market Board, vendors from outside this area may be permitted, provided they do not compete with vendors located within the designated region.
-
Applications shall be either approved or declined by the Approval Committee. The Committee reserves the right to prohibit the sale of any product listed on the application form, and its decisions shall be considered final and binding. In assessing applications, the Committee is guided by the range of products already available in the market and the principle of maintaining balanced competition.
-
Live animals (including fowl) may be sold outdoors if restrained and kept 35 meters (100 ft) away from food products.
-
For all vendors selling low-risk food[1] a valid FoodSafe Level 1 certificate is required. A copy of this certificate must be provided to the market manager at the time of application and be displayed at the vendor’s booth.
-
Next to a valid FoodSafe Level 1 or MarketSafe certificate, vendors selling high risk food1 and vendor concessions must also have a Letter of Approval and Confirmation from the Interior Health Officer. This letter must be displayed at the concession, and a copy must be filed with the Market Manager.
-
A specific Letter of Approval from the Interior Health Authority is required for the sale of farm-fresh eggs.
-
Vendor food concessions are allowed provided that the main item on the menu is made by the vendor selling the product. All items to be sold by a vendor concession must be listed on the application form.
-
Alcohol vendors must have valid Market Authorization from the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB).
-
All vendors selling cosmetics are required to submit a Cosmetic Notification Form, as mandated by Health Canada and the Armstrong Farmers’ Market. Cosmetics include any substance or mixture of substances manufactured, sold, or represented for use in cleansing, improving, or altering the complexion, skin, hair, or teeth, and include deodorants and perfumes. A copy of the completed notification must be provided to the Market Manager at the time of application. There is no fee associated with the cosmetic notification process. All vendors selling cosmetics are required to submit a Cosmetic Notification Form, as mandated by Health Canada and the Armstrong Farmers’ Market. Cosmetics include any substance or mixture of substances manufactured, sold, or represented for use in cleansing, improving, or altering the complexion, skin, hair, or teeth, and include deodorants and perfumes. A copy of the completed notification must be provided to the Market Manager at the time of application. There is no fee associated with the cosmetic notification process.
-
Only vendors holding valid organic certification, and able to present documentation upon request, are permitted to advertise their products as organic.
-
Vendors selling by weight must employ the use of scales certified in accordance with provisions of the ‘Weights and Measures Act’ Canada.
-
Non-profit groups are invited to attend the market three days during the season to advertise
their work, display posters and brochures as well fundraise. They may, however, only sell
merchandise on one of these occasions. Coordination of these visits is the responsibility of the
Market Manager. -
The Armstrong Farmers’ Market reserves the right to limit the sale of any commodity, the
distribution of literature, political or religious material or any article deemed not in the best
interests of the market. The decision of the Market Board of Directors is final. -
Vendors may be subject to a home visit by AFM Board Members to verify that all products being
sold are produced or made by the vendor.
Care for the market and cooperation with other vendors and the Market Manager -
The Armstrong Farmers’ Market is a place of business and a public forum. Polite and
professional behavior as well as fair and honest business practices are expected. -
Vendors are reminded that their neighbors have paid for their own space and should not
trespass uninvited into another vendors booth. -
Hawking is not allowed at the Armstrong Farmers Market. This practice involves vendors shouting at visitors to draw attention to their products.
-
Weights must be always used on tents. Minimum weight required is 9 Kg (20 Lbs) for
EACH leg of the tent. Vendors are responsible for damage caused by their booth or items in it.
(Canopies may also be anchored to a vehicle. This qualifies as weights for two corners if
secured to the vehicle at two corners.) If you arrive without weights, we will supply this one time. If it happens again, you will be required to go home and get your weights. -
Generators must be no louder than 65 decibels.
-
Signage (for example, sandwich boards) have to stay within the allocated booth area (10’x10’ space).
-
Consumption of alcohol (other than from licensed vendors), smoking or vaping is not permitted within 35 meters (100 feet) of any vendor stall.
-
The market day manager is hired to enforce rules and regulations of the market. Should a vendor disagree with the manager they are asked to respect the atmosphere of the market and quietly approach the Market Manager or an AFM Board Member with their complaint.
-
Complaints must be presented in writing. A challenge of a vendors’ inventory must be submitted to the Board of Directors.
-
Vendors are responsible for leaving their area clean.
-
The market is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged articles.
-
The Armstrong Farmers’ Market recommends that vendors have their own personal insurance. The Market’s insurance does not carry coverage for individual vendors.
-
These rules and regulations were updated and approved on October 2025.
Market Contact Information:
info@armstrongfarmersmarket.ca
Post Office Box 682
Armstrong, BC V0E 1B0
Market manager (Arnold Hoogenboom):
Please phone, text or email before 4:00pm Friday evening before a market if not sooner.
info@armstrongfarmersmarket.ca or phone or text (preferably) to 250-307-8336.
No calls Friday after 8:00pm or Saturday morning please.
Board of Directors (in alphabetical order):
David Dickson
Arnold Hoogenboom (Pure)
Cathy Mitchell (Herons Landing Farm)
Cathy Moore (Eagle Rock Pottery)
Donna Spada (Spada Farms)
Eileen Tomlinson (Muffins ‘n More)
Jennifer Smith-Dickson (Okanagan Cliffs Homestead)
Glossary of Terms
Board of Directors: The group overseeing governance of the Market. This group is comprised of a President, Treasurer and a maximum of seven (7) board members all of whom are members of the Armstrong Farmers’ Market Society. Elected positions are for a two-year term.
The election takes place at the Annual General Meeting once a calendar year.
Market Manager: A person contracted by the Board of Directors to oversee the physical operation of the market on the day of the market. The Market Manager has the authority to make decisions for the wellbeing of the Market and the implementation of all rules and regulations of the Armstrong Farmers’ Market.
Day Vendor: A person wishing to set up and sell at the Armstrong Farmers’ Market who chooses to pay the daily rate as specified on the registration form. Day vendors will move around at the market as needed to fill empty spots and should not expect to have the same booth location from week to week.
Seasonal Vendor: A person wishing to set up a stall and sell at the Armstrong Farmers’ Market who chooses to pay the seasonal rate as specified on the registration form. They may qualify to become a Designated Stall Holder once they have met certain requirements (see Designated Stall Holder). Until so designed their placement at the Market is at the discretion of the Market Manager.
Designated Stall Holder: A person who has attended a minimum of 20 markets per year. Those who have attended the market the longest have priority. Designated Vendors who fail to advise the Market Manager if they are unable to attend the market three times in a season will lose the right to their designated stall.
Family: Father, Mother, spouse, son, daughter, brother or sister of the person who signed the registration form for that season of the Armstrong Farmers’ Market.
[1] See: Guidelines - Sale of Foods at Temporary Food Markets , page 8 and 9, for examples of low and high risk foods. The guidelines are also available through the market manager.
​