Click Here for the 2024 Farmers Market Application

Food Vendors-Download Board of Health Application here.

Click to download Farmer’s Market rules.

2024 Dedham Summer Farmers Market Rules & Regulations

General Information

• All vendors will grow, produce or make their own items in Massachusetts or other parts of New England. Cheese, honey and maple syrup must be made from the producer’s homegrown resources. Bakers must produce their own baked goods and should use best efforts to source ingredients locally. On a case by case basis and at its total discretion, the Dedham Square Circle (DSC) may allow vendors to offer items for sale on behalf of other local producers who would otherwise comply with this section (“supply producers”). Labeling of product and signage must clearly indicate the supply producer.

• The Dedham Square Circle will oversee the market and will determine if vendors can be part of the Dedham Farmers Market to ensure an appropriate mix of products in the space available.

• The Dedham Farmers Market is run by the Dedham Square Circle. The market is NOT affiliated with the Town of Dedham. The individual designated Market Manager by the DSC is responsible for all activities at the market; all vendors will comply with his/her requests. Vendors who do not comply with market rules and Market Manager requests will be subject to dismissal from the market at the sole discretion of the Dedham Square Circle.

Applications, Vendor Fees, Permits and Insurance

• All vendors, both new and returning, will submit an application to the Farmers Market and include all items to be sold at the market. Only approved items can be sold at the market.

• Vendors are accepted first come first serve. The market limits the number of vendors of similar types of products.

• Each vendor must sign a statement that they have read, understood, and agreed to abide by the rules and regulations of the Dedham Farmers Market.

• Health and sanitation are priorities at the Dedham Farmers Market. Vendors bringing items to market from a supply producer will ensure that all relevant permits are obtained relating to those items. All vendors will adhere to all federal and state health regulations, subject to oversight by Kylee, Sullivan, Dedham Health Director.

• Once your application to be a vendor at the market has been approved, you must submit the following:

o If you plan to sell processed foods (such as jams, baked goods, or ready to eat food), you must secure a health permit (an additional fee) from the Town of Dedham 3 weeks prior to attending the market. Contact info for Board of Health: Dedham Board of Health, Kylee Sullivan, at ksullivan@dedham-ma.gov or 781-751-9220.

o (for processed food vendors) email a copy of their Residential, Commercial or Wholesale Kitchen Permit to the Market Manager

o If you are certified organic, please include a copy of your certification*

o A minimum deposit of 3 weeks of vendor fees (or payment in full if attending less than 3 weeks) is required for all vendors and must be paid within 2 weeks of your application being approved. This deposit holds your spot at the market and will be used toward payment of your vendor fees. If you fail to send in your deposit, you risk losing your spot. For vendors paying in full or paying in installments, your partial or full payment for the market is due one month before the market start date. Checks should be made payable to “Dedham Square Circle”.

o Proof of general liability insurance* is required for all vendors selling items for human or pet consumption, anything applied to any part of the body of a human or pet and flammable items. This is not a complete list. Proof of general liability insurance may be required for vendors of other products.

o Insurance Waiver* (for artists and makers only) Artists and Makers may attend the market as long as they sign a waiver. This exception applies only to vendors who will not sell, give away or sample: candy or food items, anything edible for pets, items to be put on pets or the human body including but not limited to lotion, oils, hair care, perfume, soap, cosmetics and lip balm. Waivers are located on the Dedham Farmers Market page of the Dedham Square Circle website.

*You may scan and email these items to dedhamfarmersmarket@gmail.com.

• Vendor fees are used to pay for market licensing and insurance, market management, advertising and promotions, and special events at the market. Vendors must be current on paying vendor fees.

• All vendors will allow the market to use their business names, logos, and other public information in print and electronic advertising and other promotions for the benefit of the market.

At The Market

• The market will be held Wednesdays from 2-6pm beginning June 12, 2024 and ending October 30, 2024.

• All vendors are expected to attend every week for which they have registered.

• It is extremely important that you call Market Manager if you are unable to attend in a particular week. Vendors who do not attend on days for which they have registered, without approval by the Market Manager, may be subject to full vendor fees and excluded from future market days, at the sole discretion of Farmers Market staff.

• Vendors may not cancel because inclement weather. Only in the event of severe weather conditions will we cancel the market. Should this happen, the Market Manager will contact vendors the morning of the market to notify them.

• Market setup locations will be assigned by the Market Manager. Displays must be kept within space allotted and maintained to ensure public access.

• Vendors provide their own tables, chairs, tents and must have tent weights. Tent stakes are not allowed. Colorful signage, tablecloths and pleasing displays are encouraged.

• Vendors are responsible to clean their areas and remove all trash at the end of the market day. Please sort trash from recyclables in the appropriate containers provided.

• The market will carry liability insurance for personal injury coverage.

• All vendors will arrive within the hour (please, no earlier) before the market opens to set up their space in an inviting way. Our liability policy only covers specific hours for setup, operation, and breakdown.

• All vendors will wait until 2pm sharp before any sales are made. This allows healthy competition on a level playing field between market vendors as well as customers. You should plan to bring sufficient product to remain open for business until the close of the market at 6pm.

• All items offered for sale shall be clearly labeled and priced. Prices may not change after the market has opened for the day. This includes end-of-day “deals” to dump product.

• All items must be of the highest quality or must be clearly marked as “seconds.”

• Produce may be measured and sold by the pound, bunch, piece, or measured container and must be marked with appropriate signage.

• All scales should have a current seal from the Department of Weights and Measures.

• All prepared foods must be under cover, may not be handled with bare hands, and must have an ingredient label, an address of origin, and a net weight, according to MA regulations. Perishable items, including but not limited to meat, eggs, and dairy products, must be maintained in an appropriately chilled container, subject to approval and inspection by the health inspector. Approved food handling guidelines for the market are available to vendors from the Dedham Board of Health. Should further questions arise, you may contact Dedham Health Director Kylee Sullivan at

ksullivan@dedham-ma.gov or 781-751-9220.

• To ensure sanitary conditions, hand washing stations will be located at the market.

• Vendors must keep their hands clean at all times, including washing them after using the restroom and smoking.

• All vendors will agree to an on-site visit by the Market Manager or other market representative, if requested. This visit is meant to help anticipate your inventory, observe crops, and to help with promoting each vendor and the market as a whole.

• To protect the meaning of the word “organic” you may only label your produce organic if you are certified organic. You are encouraged to discuss your organic practices with your customers, so they know how your food is raised.

• Public restrooms are available in the Registry of Deeds building caddy corner to the market.

• No smoking anywhere at or near the market.

• The market may participate in the Farmers Market Coupon Program. All vendors with eligible produce and foods should be aware of coupon guidelines, and should contact David Webber, Program Coordinator at 617-626-1754 to be certified to receive WIC and SENIOR coupons. Every effort should be made to assist coupon holders to select fresh, nutritious food.

• The market accepts SNAP benefits (formerly known as food stamps). All vendors will agree to sell eligible food and plant items under this program, including acceptance of “Dedham Dollars” and “SNAP Match” dollars on market day with reimbursement checks from Dedham Square Circle to follow monthly. Detailed guidelines and procedures for SNAP can be found on the Farmers Market page on the DSC website.

• No plastic single use plastic bags. The Town of Dedham has a plastic bag ban. Farmers can use plastic “produce” bags.

• Vendors are strictly prohibited from displaying any campaign (protest related, political, etc.) material, including but not limited to clothing and signage, at the market. Any vendor in violation of this policy will be asked to immediately leave the market, forfeit any future vendor fees, and will be banned from any and all future Farmers Markets and Dedham Square Circle events.

Should you need additional information or have questions, please don't hesitate to contact us: Dedham Farmers Market at dedhamfarmersmarket@gmail.com or Dedham Square Circle at dedhamsquarecircle@gmail.com

Food vendors must submit an application and permit fee by May 17, 2024 to be eligible for the first market on June 12, 2024. For vendors submitting applications for start dates after June 12th, they are required to complete applications at least two weeks prior to their anticipated start date.

Board of Health Memo & Application

Contact for questions:

Kylee Sullivan, MPH, REHS/RS, Health Director, Town of Dedham, 450 Washington Street, Dedham, MA 02026. 781-751-9220

A minimum deposit of 3 weeks of vendor fees (or payment in full if attending less than 3 weeks) is required for all vendors and must be paid within 2 weeks of your application being approved.

This deposit holds your spot at the market and will be used toward payment of your vendor fees. Vendor fees must be pre-paid before attending the market each week.

Farmers, local artists, makers/hobbyists, specialty food vendors and Square businesses cost for 10x10 space is $35/week if all market dates pre-paid or $40/week if paid in installments. Sign up for all weeks and get 1 week free.

Large businesses/commercial (non-Square businesses) rate is $100 per week for 10x10 space and must be paid in full for all market dates.

To make an online payment via PayPal, click here.  Be sure to include the name of your business.

Checks should be made payable to “Dedham Square Circle” and mailed to Dedham Square Circle, PO Box 593, Dedham, MA 02027.

Artists and Makers are no longer required to have liability insurance as long as they sign our waiver. This exception applies only to vendors who will not sell, give away or sample: candy or food items, anything edible for pets, items to be put on pets or the human body including but not limited to lotion, oils, hair care, perfume, soap, cosmetics and lip balm.

Link to Waiver