Cotton Mill Farmers Market
VENDOR INFORMATION
Vendor Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Accepted applicants may participate during current calendar year
and until the end of March the subsequent year
WHO CAN BE A VENDOR?
Vendors at the Cotton Mill Farmers’ Market must produce their items in Carroll County, Georgia or an adjoining county, including Haralson, Paulding, Douglas, South Fulton, and Heard counties in Georgia, and Cleburne and Randolph counties in Alabama, OR within a 50 mile radius of downtown Carrollton.
All applications are subject to approval by the Market Board. The Market is operated by and for its members, who are the original producers of the items being sold.
The market is designed to support local, small-scale farmers, and gardeners with extra produce, by providing a marketing opportunity for their produce and farm-related items. Second hand and flea market type items are not allowed. No produce or other items of any kind may be purchased from another source by a member to be resold “as is”. The producers themselves, their family members or farm/garden workers are expected to be present at the market to sell their items.
Sustainable and organic farm practices are encouraged but are not required to be a vendor at the market. It is the responsibility of the customer to inquire as to the farming practices and the application of any synthetic chemicals by a particular vendor. All products must be raised, harvested, prepared for resale, packaged, and displayed in accordance with proper local, state, and federal regulations
Please follow these steps to become a vendor at Cotton Mill Farmers Market
Because no insurance is provided at Cotton Mill Farmers' Market, Inc. concerning vendors, each vendor must carry his or her own personal and product liability insurance. All vendors must show proof that this insurance is at least $1 million per occurrence/$2 million aggregate that covers them at farmers markets. Furthermore, vehicle liability insurance is required to cover any damage caused to persons or property by a vendor’s vehicle.
2. Complete the Vendor Application
The summer season begins the first Saturday in April and runs through the end of September. This is when we run the SNAP/EBT program.
Our winter market continues through March. Approved vendors for the previous year may continue through March.
Approved vendors for the CURRENT year may start as soon as they are approved.
The weekly vendor fee for a 10’ by 10’ booth is $25, and all vendors must be able to show proof of carrying personal liability insurance of at least $1 million per occurrence/$2 million aggregate that covers attendance at the farmers market.
The application for vendors is now available online for you to fill out and submit along with the $25 application fee. Our Market executive board considers and votes on all completed applications. Please allow at least 3 weeks for your fully completed application to be processed.
For an application to be “complete” the $25 fee must be paid, and any licenses must be submitted. That includes Food Sales Establishment License, Cottage Food details, Organic Certificate, Egg Candling License or Mobile Meat License; plus proof of insurance.
You may send required documents to cottonmillfm@gmail.com.
We encourage you to visit the market and speak to the market manager and vendors about any questions you may have.
Both the application form and the Market rules can be found at:
https://www.cottonmillfarmersmarket.org/vendors
If you want to participate as a vendor earlier than April, please make a note of that in the description field.
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New rules governing Cottage Food Regulations
From Georgia Department of Agriculture:
"Effective July 1, 2025
No license will be required or issued by the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA).
In lieu of the current address labeling requirements, you may register with GDA for an identifier to be placed on your product labels.
Licensing inspections will no longer be conducted by the GDA. Inspections of consumer complaints and illness investigations may be conducted.
No licensing, renewal, or registration fee will be collected by the GDA.
It’s important to note that although no license is required starting July 1, 2025, cottage food operators are required to adhere to the cottage food regulations, up to and including.
Water Source - if you are on a private system you will need to have your well water/private water system tested for Total Coliform, and Fecal Coliform annually, DPH does the testing and we’ve included a link to the guidance document for your convenience Non-Public Water Testing Guidance.
Completing an ANSI Accredited Food Handler Courses
Properly labeling your products in accordance with the cottage food directives and FDA labeling standards Food Labeling Requirements"
"Food products made with cooked vegetable products do not qualify under the Cottage Food Regulations. Manufacturers of cooked vegetable products like salsas and tomato sauces must meet significant federal and state training and licensing requirements. Cooked vegetables, whether fresh or canned, usually are made from a combination of low acid and acidified foods, and are considered a Potentially Hazardous Food. Cooked vegetables must be held either hot (above 135°F) or cold (below 41°F). They can't be stored at room temperature, which makes them ineligible for production in a cottage food operation."
"Rule 40-7-19-.05 Cottage Food Limitations
Cottage Food Operators:
(1) May only produce non-potentially hazardous foods. Examples of these foods include:
(a) Loaf breads, rolls, and biscuits;
(b) Cakes (except those that require refrigeration due to cream cheese icing, fillings, or high moisture content such as tres leche);
(c) Pastries and cookies;
(d) Candies and confections;
(e) Fruit pies;
(f) Jams, jellies, and preserves (Not to include Fruit Butters whose commercial sterility may be affected by reduced sugar/pectin levels);
(g) Dried fruits;
(h) Dry herbs, seasonings and mixtures;
(i) Cereals, trail mixes, and granola;
(j) Coated or uncoated nuts;
(k) Vinegar and flavored vinegars; and
(l) Popcorn, popcorn balls, and cotton candy. "
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