Become a vendor
Our markets are strictly producer-only, meaning you must grow, raise or make from scratch all products you sell. Distributors, re-selling or brokers are strictly prohibited. All produce grown, meat raised and other products made must be within 125 mile radius of Fairfax County.
The Fairfax County Farmers Market vendor selection process is competitive, based on each market's individual needs. Not all vendors that apply will receive a space at FCFMs. Spaces for baked goods vendors and conventional farmers are particularly competitive. This is especially true for our Saturday markets Reston and Burke. We do not allow any mid-season entry or drop ins.
FCFMs only allow the sale of food items, and do not offer space to crafts vendors or other commercial businesses. A community-zone space is available directly outside of our markets for non-profits, political organizations, and community groups to use on a first come, first served basis.
Do you qualify?
In order to qualify to sell at market, your business must be able to confirm all of the following statements.
- My business location is within 125 miles of Green Spring Gardens, in Alexandria, Va.
- I grow, raise, or make all the products that I sell
- I do not sell any hot food prepared or cooked on site
- I do not sell olives, chocolates, or other non-local products with the exception of locally roasted coffee or locally-pressed olive oil
- I am not a craft vendor
If your business is in accordance with all statements please move on to step 2.
- Organic and Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) produce vendors
- Dairies, creameries, and artisan cheese
- Seafood
- Mushrooms
- Value added vendors that feature local ingrediants
- Produce – Vegetables, fruits, microgreens
- Meats – Chicken, turkey, pork, beef, bison, rabbit, sausage, eggs etc
- Seafood – finfish, shellfish, & crustaceans harvested from Chesapeake Bay tributaries
- Dairy – Milk, cheese, butter, ice cream, etc.
- Honey – Bee pollen, beeswax bi-products (candles, body products)
- Baked Goods – Loaves of bread, cookies, cupcakes etc.
- Herbs – Dried herbs, teas
- Coffee – hot/cold beverage, or by the bag using locally roasted beans.
- Oil - Locally-pressed olive oil
- Plants – Vegetable starters, potted/cut herbs, potted/cut flowers.
- Value Added Products – Any product which is processed from its original form. Ex: soups, fermented products, jams, etc.
- Hot food sold to eat on site – food trucks, BBQ, etc
- Olives – except locally-pressed olive oil
- Body products – except those that are a direct byproduct of a farming operation. Ex: honey vendor makes beeswax chap stick with leftover wax.
- Crafts – except those that are a direct byproduct of a farming operation. Ex: Bison vendor sells hide bracelets & wallets
Attend Our Prospective Vendor Meeting
Interested vendors should attend the Prospective Vendor meeting held in January. At this meeting, we will discuss the rules and regulations of the farmers markets, the application process and program updates. Please sign up below to receive an invitation to the January meeting, and to be notified when the application enrollment period begins.
Sign Up Below
Application Process Timeline
LATE JANUARY – Vendor Interest Meeting held & Applications open on www.farmspread.com
FEBRUARY – Applications close
LATE FEBRUARY – Vendor Selection
MARCH – Payments due
APRIL – Insurance paperwork due
LATE APRIL/MAY – Markets begin
Apply
Our application process is done entirely online through our farmers market management system. There are three parts to the application process:
- Review the Rules and Regulations. When you submit your application you will be required to sign a legal agreement that states you have read and understand these rules and will adhere to them throughout the market season.
- Create your online profile through Farmspread.
- Apply to the Fairfax County Farmers Markets in Farmspread. Applications will open in late January and close early February. To stay informed about the application timeline and receive a direct link to the application when it opens, please fill out the form on Step 2.
Create Farmspread Profile
