Policies & Procedures

MARKET POLICIES & PROCEDURES

ATTENDANCE & CANCELLATIONS

Vendors are expected to notify the Market Supervisor of intended absences by Tuesday 12:00 p.m. before the upcoming Sunday market. Failure to notify the Market Management Staff will result in your credit card being charged and/or cancellation of future reservations. 

Market management understands that occasionally circumstances beyond a vendor’s control will cause a late arrival or a late cancellation. If this occurs on a market Sunday, call the market cell at 561.628.2611 immediately.

VENDOR NO CALL/NO SHOW

No refunds will be issued for vendor no-call/no-shows. If a vendor fails to show three times within a market season, they will be removed from the market schedule and placed on the waitlist.

VENDOR ASSIGNMENT

Vendor booth placement is based on available market space and market needs. Market staff have the right to determine space for approved vendors. A vendor assigned to a booth may not sublease or delegate some or all booth space to anyone at any time without the specific authorization from the Market Management. The Market Manager may move a vendor or decrease market in its sole discretion for reasons including but not limited to total vendors on site, safety concern, set-up/loading issues, etc. 

COMMUNICATION

Email is the primary communication between market staff and vendors. The Market Management sends weekly vendor updates to communicate market news, vendor layouts and site map, and other information relevant to the upcoming market. Vendors are expected to read these communications thoroughly as they contain important and time sensitive information. Vendors should pass on communication to staff working at the market. 

COOKING VENDORS

Vendors who cook on site must have a flame-resistant tent and a 2-A:10-B:C fire extinguisher with current inspection tag, proper pressure, and pin secured in place. Propane tanks must be in a crate at least 10 feet from cooking appliances with gasoline secured. Propane cylinders shall not exceed 20 pounds and must be secured from falling over. Propane bottles, regulators, and fuel gas supply lines shall be in good condition or not be used. 

Vendors who handle ready-to-eat food should adhere to the following U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Food Code:

3-301.11 (B): Employees are preventing cross-contamination of ready-to-eat food with bare hands by properly using suitable utensils such as deli tissue, spatulas, tongs, single-use gloves, or dispensing equipment. 

GOODBYE, STYROFOAM!

Palm Beach Gardens City Council passed Resolution 14, prohibiting the use of polystyrene products at any City events or programs. Polystyrene, better known as the trademark name Styrofoam, is harmful to the environment. This proactive step in the City’s overall sustainability efforts will help protect wildlife and the environment while encouraging the use of reusable alternatives. All vendors providing consumable products must do so without the use of polystyrene containers. Recyclable products are encouraged.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

The Gardens GreenMarket is a rain or shine market. Vendors are permitted at any time to protect merchandise by covering with a tarp or using tent sides during sudden weather changes. In most cases, Market Management will not cancel a Sunday in advance. The Market Manager will make the decision to cancel on site Sunday morning due to inclement weather. Exceptions to the rule may include weather-related or extreme acts of nature, etc. Vendors may call the Greenmarket cell phone on Sundays at 561.628.2611 or email market management to inquire about cancellation. Market cancellations will be posted to The Gardens GreenMarket Facebook page. 

LICENSES, PERMITS AND INSPECTIONS

Vendors are solely responsible for maintaining compliance with relevant state, local, and federal health regulations, codes, licenses, and insurance. The City of Palm Beach Gardens Fire-Rescue Department will perform regular inspections. If a serious violation occurs, the vendor will be asked to leave the market, and no refunds will be issued for failing to comply with the requirements. 

Please note that local and state inspectors do attend the Market unannounced to check for proper permitting/licensing of products.

MARKETING & SPECIAL PROMOTIONS

The City of Palm Beach Gardens will take photos and/or videos of vendors and products for the use of GreenMarket promotions and advertising. Please be aware that these materials are for City use and may be used in City-owned publications, websites, and social media. Vendors are encouraged to use their own social media sites to promote the market to their customers and followers.

The Gardens GreenMarket provides live music every Sunday. Market Management will also organize promotional highlights for shoppers throughout the season, such as activities, demonstrations, or giveaways. If a vendor is interested in participating in a specific promotion, please contact the Market Management.

Occasionally, Market Management will ask vendors to contribute to support these efforts. Vendor support of these efforts is sincerely appreciated. 

FREEDOM SPEECH ZONE GROUPS

Although setting up a table/or station inside the market is not permitted, the groups can be at the market to share their purpose, and/or seek signatures on a petition.

  • Those attending the market on behalf of the organization must follow the same rules of decorum as the public and the vendors of the market.
  • A group cannot impede the traffic flow of the market.
  • A group cannot “hawk”, i.e., yelling out of information.
  • A group cannot place signs in/on the ground.

PRODUCT EXCLUSIVITY 

Vendors may only sell products that were stated on the application and approved by Market Management. The City of Palm Beach Gardens has the right to prohibit the sale of any items not specifically listed and approved on the application, as well as prohibit the sale, or consumption, of any items not in the best interest of market.

PRODUCT CHANGES & ADDITIONS

Vendors may only sell products that were stated on the application and approved by the Market Management. The City of Palm Beach Gardens has the right to prohibit the sale of any items not specifically listed and approved on the application, as well as prohibit the sale, or consumption, of any items not in the best interest of The Gardens GreenMarket. If a vendor wishes to add an item after their application has been approved, they must contact the Market Manager to submit requests and/or changes to items for sale. This type of request shall be limited to one time per vendor throughout the market season and may be subjected to additional fees and jury if vendor classification changes. Continued attempts to sell unapproved items will result in removal from the Market. The sale of flea market resale type items is not permitted.

SMOKING

Smoking is prohibited under all tents. 

SPONSOR

The Gardens GreenMarket is sponsored in good health by the Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center. Free blood pressure screenings are available at their booth throughout the season.