What you need to know

 

Here are the established rules for vendors at the Bonners Ferry Farmers Market.  Current and prospective vendors please take time to read and familiarize yourself with the rules of the market.

 

Bonners Ferry Farmers Market Rules

Revised January 2026

 

  1. All Vendors must apply for space by submitting a Vendor Application. Vendors must pay a $25.00 non-refundable application fee with submitted application. Upon approval, an Annual Membership Fee for each 10×10 space of $125 will be due or a weekly fee of $25 per 10×10 space. This is to offset expenses for advertising, on-site Idaho nursery license & liability insurance, City of Bonners Ferry business license & space rental, market website, signs, market events, printing, postage & more. Fees are payable by cash, check, or PayPal (bfidfm@gmail.com) if paying with PayPal an additional $5 must be paid to cover fees.

The payment and application can be submitted at the Spring Vendor Meeting or by printing it off the website and mailing it to the Farmers Market. No application will be considered without the application fee. Upon approval, the $125 annual season fee will be due and payable prior to first day of set-up. This application will constitute an agreement between the vendor and the Market to abide by the policies and rules of the Bonners Ferry Farmers Market. 1. Market hours are Saturday 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. Setup may begin no earlier than 6:00 am but no later than 7:00 am.

 

  1. NEW vendors are required to submit 3 photos that represent the items they wish to sell with their application. Submissions will be reviewed by the board and applicants notified of approval prior to Opening Day. To be considered for the entire market, applications need to be received by a date posted yearly by the board. Applications received after this will be considered at the next regular board meeting and applicants notified within five days.

 

  1. 3. Vendors who want to use the electricity available at the market must pay an extra $25 fee for the year. Electrical outlets are only available in limited spaces. Vendors must bring their own extension cord with a minimum length of 100 feet. Vendors with electric spots must arrive by 6am to avoid traffic issues and ensure the safety of other vendors since these spaces are easily blocked by vendors in spaces across from them.

 

  1. Each vendor is allotted one 10′ x 10′ space. All vehicles and trailers must be parked off site. The goal is to create a market layout complimentary to all vendors and the market as a whole. You may request a specific space number on the application form. Every effort will be made to accommodate requests, but we cannot guarantee requests will be granted. Any reserved space not filled by 7 am may be filled with another vendor unless prior arrangements have been made by calling the Market Manager.

 

  1. Vendors must be residents of the contiguous counties/province including & bordering Boundary County: Bonner County, Pend Oreille County (Washington), Lincoln County (Montana), southern British Columbia (Canada), all within 50 miles of Bonners Ferry. Boundary County residents will have preference.

 

  1. Vendors shall sell only products that they themselves grow, harvest, create, or produce within 50 miles of Bonners Ferry. No reselling. Selling for others may be considered by the board. No garage sale, flea market or wholesale items are permitted.

 

  1. All products must comply with state and local Health and ISDA rules. Please check their requirements to see how this applies to you. Vendors whose food types require licensing must have their actual farmers’ market stand, equipment, and services (includes kitchen) inspected by an Idaho Health District Environmental Health Officer. Copies of these licenses and inspections must be displayed at your booth before sales can take place.

 

  1. You are responsible for obtaining your own product liability insurance. The Farmers Market has liability insurance that covers accidents only.

 

  1. Vendors must comply with all state & local laws, ordinances, and regulations and those of the Bonners Ferry Farmers Market. The Bonners Ferry Farmers Market works cooperatively with the USDA, ISDA, Panhandle Health Dept, Idaho Tax Commission and the City of Bonners Ferry. Violations of any US, State or local laws or regulations will result in suspension of membership without reimbursement of fees. Any resulting fines shall be the responsibility of the violating vendors. The Bonners Ferry Farmers Market Board of Directors and market vendors will follow the law under counsel of these authorities.

 

  1. All vendors are required to get a sales tax permit. Vendors must register with the Idaho Tax Commission each year before any sales take place. Vendors who make over $5000 in annual sales must collect and pay 6% sales tax to Idaho State. This digital system is new and replaces the ST-124 paper form used previously. To register, go to https://idahotap.gentax.com/TAP/_/scroll down to Sellers and Promoters and click on “Register as a Temporary Seller or Promoter.” Scroll to the bottom and click on “Seller WITH Event ID” and then “Next.” Scroll to the bottom and click on “I am going to an event” and then “Next.” You will then enter the Event ID for BFFM which is on page 1 of this document click “Next” and fill out all your information. Once complete, you will get an email with your TSP attached. Print and bring it with you to each market. Idaho Tax Commission will send us a list the day before opening day and if you are not on that list, you will not be able to set up. You will notice if you plan to be here all season you need to do this twice. TSP are only valid for 90 days.

 

  1. All vendors must obtain a City of Bonners Ferry Business License. Vendors who make over $5000 in annual sales must pay the 1% city sales tax directly to the City of Bonners Ferry. Vendors will collect and pay the tax themselves and will no longer fall under the Bonners Ferry Farmers Market’s city tax umbrella. A copy of the City of Bonners Ferry business license must be displayed at your booth.

 

  1. NO DUMPING IS ALLOWED. Vendors are not allowed to give products away or at unreasonably low prices, thus undercutting potential sales of other vendors. Please take time to know your production costs and set your prices at a fair market value.

 

  1. Vendors must be present during market times. You may substitute a family member or on-farm employee occasionally if the need arises. Vendors must be 18 years of age or older- vendors under 18 must always have an adult over the age of 21 present with them during all market hours.

 

  1. Please take into consideration that you are part of your display and that the market is a family-oriented venue. We aim for a clean, attractive look at the market. Please leave your space cleaner than you found it. No smoking or vaping is allowed in the market area- please be considerate and smoke/vape where no customers or vendors will be impacted by the smoke.

 

  1. WIND-PROOFING YOUR CANOPY IS MANDATORY EVERY MARKET DAY with weights and tie-downs on all 4 legs to protect customers & vendors from blow-overs. Wind or no wind, you are required to have weights and tie downs. Do not release ties until you have enough help to maintain control. Your display must also stay within your 10’x10′ space (including canopy legs) and not block access to other vendor’s spaces. 30-40 pounds per leg is recommended.

 

  1. Safety is of paramount importance at the Market. Please ensure that all cords or tripping hazards are properly taped down. Please ensure that all items in your booth are wind proofed and fall proofed.

 

  1. All animals for sale or display must be contained or on a leash at all times. Vendors are not to have pets at the Market. Per Panhandle Health no food sales shall take place in a booth with animal sales.

 

  1. Consequences of not following the Bonners Ferry Farmers Market rules: a. First Offence: verbal warning from the Market Manager to correct the violation. b. Second Offence: written warning from the Market Manager to correct the violation. c. Third Offence: consequences of action from the board. This will include temporary or permanent suspension from the market for the season at the board’s discretion. Written notice will be provided, and consequences will be enforced. There will be no refund of vendor fees when suspended.

 

  1. Any problems or suggestions may be submitted to the Board of Directors via email to board@bonnersferryfarmersmarket.org. This will ensure a relaxed atmosphere with good communication between all vendors.

 

Food Rules & Guidelines
The rules for selling food products to the public are explained in the Idaho Food Code (IDAPA 16.02.19) and its updates, which are available online at www.foodsafety.idaho.gov or from our local Panhandle Health District, the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, or the University of Idaho Food and Technology Center (www.ag.uidaho.edu/ftc). The Idaho State Department of Agriculture has published a useful manual Starting a Specialty Food Business that may be obtained free of charge by calling (208) 332-8530.

For more information contact our local District Health Department listed below: Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Food Protection Program 450 W. State Street Boise, ID 83720 Tel: (208) 334-5938 Fax: (208) 332-7307 www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov or Panhandle District Health Department 8500 N. Atlas Road Coeur d’Alene, ID 83835 Tel: (208) 415-5200 www.phd1.idaho.gov

 

Share This