Market Charter
The Cohuna Farmers & Makers Market is operated by Cohuna Markets Inc. The Market Manager is Sarah Mostyn (ph: 0407476065)
The purpose of Cohuna Farmers & Makers Market is to operate regular markets for the benefit of the community. The main focus is to bring together local small businesses, farmers, artisans and musicians in order to provide a marketplace for trade, promote local businesses, attract tourists, raise funds for community endeavours and provide a place for the community to gather.
All products for sale must be farmed, grown, produced or made by the stall holder
Regionality – Priority is given to produce that is from the North Central Victoria region.
High standards of quality and freshness are required.
Organic claims must be backed by recognised certification which must be displayed.
Prices must not be excessive and should broadly reflect the local trader/supermarket rates, with premiums being offered for specialty items and second grade produce is to be labeled and discount priced accordingly.
Frequency: Cohuna Farmers & Makers Markets are held in the Cohuna Garden Park on the 4th Sunday of every month. Markets may be held on other dates and locations periodically. The markets run from 9.00am to 1.00pm.
Management: The allocation of sites on any market day will be at the sole discretion of the Market Manager who will ensure that a broad representation of stall/product types are available to customers by limiting the number of stalls selling the same or similar type of product to 2 stalls per market.
Insurance & Claim for Loss: Cohuna Markets Inc. does not accept any claim for loss (however sustained) should (a) the operation of the Market on any particular scheduled day be cancelled, commence later or finish earlier than the published time(s) or be transferred to another venue (b) any advertisement that Cohuna Markets Inc. may insert in a local newspaper or other periodical either (i) fail to mention a particular farmer, maker or producer or products (ii) wrongly describe such produce/products or (iii) incorrectly state the date on which a Market is to be held.
Market Rules & Trading Requirements
The market is open from 9.00am until 1.00pm and stall holders must be set up by 9.00am and stay until 1.00pm irrespective of whether they sell out or not. The market is an all-weather market however in the unlikely event of forecast severe or dangerous weather conditions the market may be cancelled, postponed or altered.
The market is held at the Cohuna Garden Park. Toilets are located at the Gateway Information Centre and rubbish bins are located within the park.
Standard stall fees are $25.00 (payable on each market day) for a 3m x 3m site. Larger sites and access to power is charged at an additional $5 each. New stall holders are required to pay for their first market in advance, in order to be approved.
All stalls must have their own Public Liability and Product Liability (where applicable). A Certificate of Currency must be provided with your stall holder application. Stall holders who do not have their own insurance can, by prior arrangement be covered for the day under the Market's insurance policy for a fee of $10 per day. Please contact the Market Manager to arrange. Restrictions and limitations apply.
It is the stall holder’s (vendor’s) responsibility to comply with all regulatory requirements, including (but not limited to), food handling, liquor licensing, fruit fly prevention and product/public risk insurance as well as abiding by the Cohuna Farmers & Makers Market Rules at all times.
Only stall holder vehicles are permitted on the site. Vehicles must be moved slowly and cautiously at all times. No vehicle movement is permitted during the market opening hours of 9am to 1pm. All vehicles must be neatly parked behind the stall holder’s allocated site. The permit for the venue stipulates that care must be taken not to damage the surface of the park. Vehicle access may be restricted if there has been heavy rain.
Produce sold by each stall holder must be from their own farm or rural business. Reselling of other products is strictly prohibited.
To ensure fairness for all stall holders & a variety of stalls at the market, the total number of same/similar produce stalls is limited to 2 stalls per product type. Additional stall holders can apply for the wait list & will be notified if a vacancy opens up for a particular market. Some categories are limited to 1 stall per similar produce type. These include generic type products such as coffee, bread, olive oil etc. The Market Manager has the sole discretion to curate each market.
The market manager will email all registered stall holders approximately 2 weeks prior to each market to invite stall holders to book for the next market. Sites are not allocated automatically. All bookings must be made no later than the Thursday prior to the market. Last minute bookings may be denied. The allocation of sites on any market day will be at the sole discretion of the Market Organiser / Manager who will ensure that a broad representation of stall/product types are available to customers.
The market is run by volunteers who receive no compensation for their efforts. Any bullying, intimidation, abuse or disrespect towards committee members, stall holders or the public will not be tolerated at any time and will result in cancellation of stall holder privileges.
Each stall holder who sells any type of food stuff must have Public Indemnity cover and a local Shire food preparation permit/approval, this includes registration on “Streatrader”. Food labelling laws must be adhered to at all times.
Stall holders must provide their own equipment including gazebos/umbrellas and chair(s).
All gazebos, umbrellas or other structures MUST be secured by way of either pegging or weights (10kg on each leg). Care must be taken when pegging down to ensure that underground sprinklers are avoided and the grass is not damaged.
The venue is to be left clean and tidy after every market. Stall holders are expected to clean up around their site. Abuse of the venue may result in market membership being cancelled.
Chairs & tables are provided by the market for the comfort of market patrons & to encourage visitors to stay longer. We ask that all able-bodied stall holders please assist with setting up & packing away these market assets. A few minutes time from each stall holder is all that is required.
Provisions re periods of absence:
Newly approved stall holders who haven't attended the market at all in the 3 months since their application was approved will be required to re-apply should they wish to attend at a later date. Upfront fees paid will be forfeited.
Existing stall holders who have not attended for a period of 6 months or more will be required to re-apply should they wish to attend at a later date
The above provisions do not apply to seasonal producers. These provisions are a means of keeping our stall holder register current and allowing new stall holders opportunities when others have decided not to attend any more. Please be mindful that applications at all times are assessed based on the current stall holder mix, so re-application doesn't mean automatic acceptance.
Active stall holders are invited to have a free listing on the Market website.You should provide a brief blurb of your business, contact details, links to social media and up to 5 high-res images to the Market Manager via email.