Steps to Become a Vendor

1. Review rules and regulations

2. Complete online application

3. Pay $25 application fee - Through PayPal

4. The Market Coordinator will review your application and set up a time to perform a kitchen inspection or site visit.

• VALUE ADDED PRODUCTS:  A sample of your product with the label (label requirements found in rules and regulations) is required before acceptance. A kitchen inspection must be performed before you attend the market.

• FARMERS & PRODUCERS: A site visit must be performed before you attend the market.

 

Once the application is received and the vendor is approved, an invoice will be sent for booth fees:

 

Questions:

info@rustonfarmersmarket.org

319-957-1305

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CLICK HERE TO BEGIN YOUR VENDOR APPLICATION

 

Vendor Forms

• RUSTON FARMERS MARKET RULES AND REGULATIONS AND PRICING 2021

• FOOD HANDLING GUIDE

• SIMPLIFIED VERSION OF COTTAGE FOOD BILL

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Sales Tax Information

• Produce, Eggs, Meat*, and Flowers raised by vendor are exempt from all sales tax. (*Basic Meat products, not altered or turned into value added product.)

• Any value-added products, resale, arts/crafts, or flowers in containers are subject to local sales tax.

• Jams, jellies, preserves made from the grower’s own produce are exempt from state sales tax only.

• Food items for home food consumption are NOT subject to state sales tax, but vendors are required to pay parish sales tax on these items.

• Food items for on-site consumption are subject to local and state sales tax.

• By law, vendors must have their certificates available on site. Go to  www.laota.com (click For Taxpayers then Registration, link on the bottom of the page for Local Sales Tax Registration Application Online). Once registered, vendors can pay their sales tax online at parishefile.revenue.louisiana.gov.

 

 

Lincoln Parish Sales Tax Commission: 318-251-8624

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Louisiana State Sales Tax  www.revenue.louisiana.gov  (select Business, Sales Taxes, links for registration and payment of tax are on the left side of the page)

 

Additional Resources

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP): 
The SFMNP provides coupons to eligible seniors to use for the purchase of fresh vegetables, fruits, cut herbs, and honey at approved farmers' markets and farm stands. RFM is an approved farmers market. To accept these coupons, you must become an approved vendor by contacting LADAF at 985-345-9483 and completing a Farmer Participation Agreement. For more information, click here.

Sustainable Agriculture, Research & Education (SARE) in Louisiana:
To learn more about grant opportunities and education for Louisiana farmers interested in sustainable agriculture, visit the Louisiana SARE website.

USDA Operating Microloans Program: 
Microloans are smaller ($35k to $300k) direct farm operating loans with a shortened application process and reduced paperwork designed to meet the needs of smaller, non-traditional, and niche type operations.  For more information, click here.