Policies & Guidelines
Learn More About the Market
This page includes everything you need to prepare for a successful day at the Santa Fe Community Market. Inside, you’ll find important policies, guidelines, and day-of operational details designed to help create a smooth, safe, and organized experience for everyone involved.
We encourage all vendors and participants to review this information carefully before arriving. Understanding expectations for setup, operations, and market procedures ensures you can arrive prepared, focus on your business, and fully enjoy being part of this vibrant downtown Temple tradition.
Please take a few moments to read through each section prior to your market date.
Guidelines
-
All vendors must submit an online application and pay a non-refundable $25 application fee to be considered for the Santa Fe Community Market. Vendors who operate multiple businesses or who wish to participate under more than one vendor type must submit a separate application and fee for each.
Once submitted, the Market Coordinator will review the application for completeness and confirm that the business and products fit within an approved vendor category. Applications are accepted year-round, reviewed monthly, and are valid only for the current calendar year. Applicants will receive a decision by email.The City of Temple reserves the right to decline any application, and submission does not guarantee a vendor space.
-
All vendors, including returning vendors, must submit a new application and pay the annual non-refundable application fee. Returning vendors are not automatically renewed and will be reevaluated each year to ensure continued eligibility and compliance with market standards.
-
The application processing fee must be paid by all new and returning vendors each calendar year. Please note that this application fee is non-refundable and does not guarantee approval to sell at the Santa Fe Community Market Days. Vendors are required to submit a separate application for each vendor type within their business.
Booth Rental Fees:- $25.00 per Market Day
- $130.00 per Season (6 market days)
- $250.00 Annual Rate (12 market days)
- Market booth fees are accepted online only after the application is completed. Cash or checks are not accepted. All fees must be paid in full before a vendor is assigned a booth space.
-
Booth Regulations
The Santa Fe Community Market consists of a total of 61 booth spaces, with 22 interior and 39 exterior options, each measuring 10x10 feet.
- All booth spaces require tables, are assigned before load-in, and are non-transferable. The booth spaces cannot be rented out or occupied by another vendor for any reason. Vendors may rent up to two adjoining booth spaces.
- Stall assignments are made on a long-term basis, meaning we prioritize maintaining vendor location whenever possible. Assignments may be subject to change based on the following criteria: accommodating vendor changes, weather-related issues, seasonal events, maintaining visual appeal, etc.
- Vendors must remain open until the close of the event, even if a vendor sells out. The City of Temple wants to ensure the safety of both vendors and patrons. Vendors who leave early may not be invited to participate in the next market.
- Vendors are responsible for setting up, maintaining, and keeping their booth neat and attractive. This includes ensuring signage with clear pricing is visible and cleaning up their merchandise and trash throughout the event.
- Vendors may only use their own branding and marketing materials on tents, tablecloths, and booth displays—no logos or brand details from other businesses are allowed. Each vendor is responsible for their advertising and signage.
- Display products and freestanding signs must remain within the vendor’s designated booth space to avoid obstructing customer flow, and only temporary attachments like zip ties, bungee cords, or tape may be used to secure signs to the Santa Fe Community Market property, which must be removed before leaving.
- Vendors are required to bring all necessary set-up items (duct tape, dollies, etc.). The City of Temple will not provide set-up equipment.
Setup/Load in
- Load-in times will be predetermined by the Market Coordinator based on the event. Vendors must check in with the Market team before setting up their booth and must have their booth ready before the Market opens. Vendors will be permitted to utilize the designated zone (as described on the map) for loading and unloading supplies during defined hours only.
- Vendors must keep walkways clear and in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Take-Down/Load Out
- Vendors are not permitted to dismantle their booth before the Market closes. Vehicle/Trailer(s) will not be allowed to drive on, in, or out of the area until designated times.
- Vendors should fully break down their booths before moving their vehicles to the loading zone. For safety purposes, vendor vehicles are not permitted in the Market until it is clear of patrons. All vendors must wait for their designated time to load or unload their items. After the crowd sweep, the Market Coordinator will coordinate vehicle access and notify vendors when it’s time to proceed.
- Vendors must properly dispose of all trash, including cardboard, by taking it to the dumpster (as indicated on the map). Trash cans in the market area are for customer use only. Vendors leaving trash behind may incur a $25 cleaning fee, and any property damage or cleaning costs (e.g., vehicular damage, grease spills, structural damage) will be billed to the vendor.
-
Any vendors distributing food product samples at the Farmers Market must follow the Farmers Market Bill HB 1382.
-
Samples must be distributed in a sanitary manner (for example, using a toothpick for individual servings).
-
Wash any produce intended for sampling with potable water to remove any visible dirt or contamination.
-
When preparing the samples, either wear clean, disposable gloves or observe proper hand washing techniques IMMEDIATELY before preparing samples.
-
Any utensils or cutting surfaces used for preparing samples must be smooth, non-absorbent, and easily cleaned or disposed of.
-
Any potentially hazardous food must be maintained at or below 41 degrees Fahrenheit or disposed of two hours after cutting or preparing.
-
-
If you are unable to attend the market day you applied for, please notify the Market Coordinator at least 24 hours before the scheduled Market Day. Cancellations should be sent via email to sfcm@templetx.gov, and no refunds will be provided for cancellations. Vendors who do not show up without prior notice will not be invited back for future Market Days.
-
The Market will be open rain or shine. Should severe weather occur, the Market Coordinator will decide if the Market will close. Notifications will be posted on the City of Temple’s social media page, and vendors will be notified directly. Vendors will have the opportunity to reschedule their vendor day, if available. However, refunds will not be issued.
-
Q: I am a designer, but my work is created by someone else. Do my items qualify?
A: No, all items must be personally crafted by the maker, so items produced by someone else do not qualify for sale.Q: I design and create T-shirts using vinyl stickers. Can I apply?
A: Yes, but no copyrighted or trademark materials are allowed.Q: I created the recipe for a food item (spices, salsa, rubs, etc.), but my packing facility is more than 100 miles from the Market. Does my item qualify?
A: No, items packaged or created outside the 100-mile radius do not qualify.Q: I make great pickles and other canned items from my home kitchen. Can I be a vendor?
A: Yes, in 2019, Texas changed the law to allow for the sale of canned acidified plant-based foods with a pH value of 4.6 or lower. Vendors must keep pH logs readily available for inspection.Q: I offer lessons such as music, painting, and cooking, but don’t have a physical product to sell. Am I allowed to rent a booth space?
A: Unfortunately, service-only booths are not allowed at the market.Q: I make handmade blankets, but some contain Disney and/or Marvel character fabric. Can I sell items with this fabric at the market?
A: No, all copyright and trademark laws apply to licensed characters, even if you purchase the fabric.Q: Will the Department of State Health Services conduct inspections at the Market?
A: Yes, the Texas Department of State Health Services has the authority to conduct inspections of all food vendors.Q: May I sell my cattle or poultry that I have slaughtered at a licensed and inspected facility?
A: Yes, meat or poultry products must come from animals processed in compliance with the regulations for livestock processing (Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 433), and a temporary food establishment permit is required.Q: May I sell fish and other aquatic species at a farmers’ market?
City of Temple 11 | P a g e
A: Yes, commercial fishermen must possess a license from the TPWD, or the fish and other cultured species must be produced and raised in a facility that has an aquaculture license from TDA, and a temporary food establishment permit is required.