WEATHER – As much as people think we do or we should, we don’t control the weather. Simply be prepared for the worst, and hope for the best. EatLoco rarely cancels the market due to bad weather. Our best vendors alway have a plan B. That is to perhaps operate without a tent when the wind is bad, bring less product, reduce your setup, bring hand-warmers, etc. Remember, a NO-SHOW is not acceptable, as you will be fined and may be asked not to return. You always have the option of cancelling the market by our deadline (Wednesday at 9PM).
MARKET MANAGERS – Our Market Managers will be easily identifiable in bright colored vests. If you need assistance, especially during setup, don’t hesitate to ask them.
ARRIVAL TIME – Arrive no later than 8:15 AM at the market. During the market, please don’t ask to switch spaces. If you encounter any issues, please message us directly after the market, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your needs.
DON’T BE LATE – It’s important you give yourself plenty of time in the morning so you’ll be set up and ready to sell no later than 8:45 AM. All vehicles must be OUT of the market space by 8:45 AM. NEVER under any circumstances should a customer or vendor move any of the orange cones or road-blocks blocking off the market road so they can bring their vehicle into the market. If the road cones are not in place at 8:30 AM for whatever reason, vendors are still not allowed to bring their vehicles into the market after 8:30 AM. Vendors showing up after 8:30 AM will have to park their vehicle in the remote parking lot and hand-carry everything over to their spot for setup. No exceptions. Moving the cones will get you suspended from our market(s) permanently.
ORANGE SAFETY CONES – Never, ever, move one or more of our orange safety cones for any reason. They are there for the safety of our vendors and customers.
TRAILERS/FOOD TRUCKS – Must arrive no later than 7:15 AM so we can better fit you into your space before others in your row arrive.
TENT WEIGHTS – Tent weights are mandatory at all EatLoco Farmers Markets, regardless of the season or the weather. 50LB weights on each leg are ideal, but at least 25 pounds per leg are required at all times. Dumbbell weights are not allowed. Inexpensive nylon bags filled with sand that can be velcroed to each tent leg are a great option. This market gets very windy, and we have seen customers (children, too) get hit by flying tents more than once. Vendors that do not comply with our tent weight policy may be asked by our Market Managers to take down their tent immediately.
SAMPLES AT THE MARKET – Samples are allowed at the market. However, we suggest keeping samples covered at all times. In addition, samples can only be handed out within a few feet from the front of your tent. Walking around the market or anywhere not within 3-4 feet from your tent, is not allowed. Please respect your fellow vendors by staying in your own area during market hours.
SMOKING AT THE MARKET – Smoking at the market is strictly prohibited. If a vendor must smoke, they must do so no less than 50 yards from behind their tent, for not more than 5 minutes, and no more than twice/market. It is preferred they find someone to watch their tent and their products while they are away.
WE ARE GUESTS – As with all our venues, we are their guests. Please take extra time at the end of the market to pick up every scrap of paper or food in and around your assigned space. It only takes a minute. The community trash receptacles are for CUSTOMERS ONLY. Vendors must bring their own trash with them back home to dispose of it there. This goes for water and ice as well. They are NOT to be dumped on the ground, in the sewer, or on the grass. Please bring buckets with lids to transport liquids back home with you.
TIME TO GO – Vendors cannot begin to put away their items or knock-down the tables or tent until 1:00PM. Even if you sell out, you must remain until the end of the market completely setup. At 1PM, you must knock everything down BEFORE going to get your vehicle, including your tent. Once everything is in a neat pile, you can walk over to the Park-and-ride parking lot, grab your vehicle and drive it back into the church parking lot to pickup your things.
DROP-INS – If you drop-in to the market and you are not on the schedule, you will be billed for that day, and cannot use one of your credits on file.
HOT FOOD VENDORS
TEMP FOOD PERMITS – Hot Food Vendors MUST post your temp food permit at eye level on your left tent post for the Health Dept. Inspector to see. Reminder – If you arrive at the market without a “hardcopy” of your Loudoun County Temp food permit, you will be asked to leave.
PROTECTIVE MATS – Hot Food Vendors MUST have a 10×10 mat under your entire tent. We don’t want anything to drip or stain the venue parking lot.
FIRE EXTINGUISHER – must be in plain sight at all times for our Hot Food Vendors and be visible to the Fire Marshal.
GENERATORS – Any vendor that requires a generator, must have either a “quiet” generator or something that muffles the sound of your generator. Power is supplied at the MetPark location(s).
PROPANE TANKS – must be set in a box or milk create during the market to prevent it from rolling around or getting kicked accidentally.
