Learn more about Vendor Information, Benefits and the Market below. 

Before applying to Become a Vendor, review the Vendor types, what they are and the requirements/documents, below.

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Review the Vendor types, toggle through the Required Documents & What Is… each vendor type to be sure you fill out the Vendor Application appropriately.

Required Documents: 

  • Insurance
  • Manufacturing License from State
  • USDA Certification (if Applicable)
  • Sales Tax Permit (if applicable)
  • Galveston County Health District Food Permit (gchd.org)

​Applicants under this category offer:

  • produce that has been grown on the producer’s land (including leased land),
  • meat/eggs/processed meat products from animals raised on the producers’ land (including leased land) & are processed at a USDA-inspected facility
  • products such as cheese, yogurt, or honey sourced from animals raised on the producers’ land (including leased land)
  • Examples: Farmers, Ranchers, Beekeepers

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCER VENDOR REQUIREMENTS

Agricultural producer vendors include:

  • produce that has been grown on the producer’s land (including leased land),
  • meat/eggs/processed meat products from animals raised on the producers’ land (including leased land) & are processed at a USDA-inspected facility.
  • products such as cheese, yogurt, or honey sourced from animals raised on the producers’ land (including leased land)

FOOD PERMITTING:

Produce Farmers/Beekeepers:

Producers vending only uncut fruits and vegetables do not need to obtain any permits to sell at DFM.

There is currently no permitting required of beekeepers, although beekeepers must allow a site visit to at least one of their bee yards.

Ranchers:

Meats require a Galveston County Health District Temporary Food Establishment Permit and all products must be processed and packaged at permitted facilities.

They must be labeled and must meet Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER) for time kept hot or cold as required.

Eggs only:

Require the same Galveston County Health District Temporary Food Establishment Permit and cartons must be labeled with the producer’s name, address, and the word “ungraded.”

Eggs must be kept cooled at 45 degrees or less.

If an agricultural producer wishes to also vend value-added items or prepared foods or artisan goods, they must fill out an additional application and obtain the relevant permitting where necessary. If an agricultural producer wishes to sell soap or yarn in addition to their food products, they are asked to fill out the Non-food Artisan Vendor application.

GALVESTON COUNTY HEALTH DISTRICT (GCHD) PERMITTING RESOURCES:

Additional Resources

COMMON QUESTIONS:

Do I need a temporary food establishment permit to sell food at a farmers’ market?
 A temporary food establishment permit is not required to sell whole, intact unprocessed fruits and vegetables and pre-packaged non-potentially hazardous food/time temperature for safety foods.
A temporary food establishment permit is required to sell all other potentially hazardous food/time temperature control for safe foods.

What is a potentially hazardous food/temperature controlled for safety food (PHF/TCS)?
 A potentially hazardous food (PHF) is a food that requires time and temperature control to limit pathogen growth or toxin production. In other words, potentially hazardous food must be held under proper temperature controls, such as refrigeration to prevent the growth of bacteria that may cause human illness. A PHF/TCS is a food that: contains protein, moisture (water activity greater than 0.85), and is neutral to slightly acidic (pH between 4.6 -7.5).

Required Documents: 

  • Insurance
  • Kitchen Lease Agreement
  • Sales Tax Permit (if applicable)
  • Galveston County Health District Food Permit (gchd.org) 

Applicants under this category offer:

  • Freshly-made food and drinks available for sale and immediate consumption. These products may be hot or cold ready-to-eat foods or drinks.
  • Products should use organic ingredients when available and as many market products as possible & reasonable, with preference given to those vendors who use local products.
  • The certified kitchen utilized must be located within 150 miles of the market attended.
  • Examples: Pakistani take-home meals, iced lemonade, breakfast tacos

PREPARED FOODS VENDOR REQUIREMENTS

Prepared Foods vendors offer freshly-made food and drinks available for sale and immediate consumption. These products may be hot or cold ready-to-eat foods or drinks.

Products should use organic ingredients when available and as many market products as possible & reasonable, with preference given to those vendors who use local products.

The certified kitchen utilized must be located within 150 miles of the market attended.

Products to be sold must be presented for sampling and inspection of labeling before acceptance into DFM. The Board of Trustees may or will request these samples from you– please do not drop off before invited to do so.

FOOD PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS:

All Prepared Foods Vendors must provide proof of the following:

LABELING REQUIREMENTS:

All food items must be clearly labeled according to Texas law and include:

  • Contact information: address, phone number and/or email address
  • Common name of product
  • List of ingredients by weight
  • The eight major food allergens
  • Please read Texas labeling laws here for details

GALVESTON COUNTY HEALTH DISTRICT (GCHD) PERMITTING FAQs:

Additional Resources

Required Documents: 

  • Insurance
  • Food Handlers Certificate or Food Managers Certificate
  • Sales Tax Permit (if applicable)

Applicants under this category offer:

  • products that have changed the form, flavor, blend and/or the substance of raw products using as many market products as available.
  • Products should use organic ingredients when available and as many market products as possible & reasonable, with preference given to those vendors who use local products.
  • The certified kitchen utilized must be located within 150 miles of the market attended. Vendors offering products covered under the Texas Cottage Food Law are classified as Value-Added Foods vendors.
  • Examples: Baked goods, teas, salsa, nut butters

VALUE-ADDED FOODS VENDOR REQUIREMENTS

Value Added foods include products that have changed the form, flavor, blend and/or the substance of raw products.

Products should use organic ingredients when available and as many market products as possible & reasonable, with preference given to those vendors who use local products.

The certified kitchen utilized must be located within 150 miles of the market attended. Vendors offering products covered under the Texas Cottage Food Law are classified as Value-Added Foods vendors.

Products to be sold must be presented for sampling and inspection of labeling before acceptance into DFM. The Executive Director will request these samples from you– please do not drop off before invited to do so.

FOOD PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS:

All Value-Added Foods Vendors must provide proof of the following:

COTTAGE FOOD LAW VENDORS: 

  • Read up on the specifics of the Texas Cottage Food Law here.
  • All product labels must have the following… 
    • Name and physical address of the cottage food production operation;
      1. The common or usual name of the product;
      2. If a food is made with a major food allergen – such as eggs, nuts, soy, peanuts, milk, or wheat – that ingredient must be listed on the label; and
      3. The following statement: “This food is made in a home kitchen and is not inspected by the Department of State Health Services or a local health department.”
  • *As of September 1st, 2019, changes were made to the Texas Cottage Food Law. Before submitting any applications for cottage foods products, please read through this updated fact sheet.

PICKLED ITEMS:

LABELING REQUIREMENTS:

  • All food items must be clearly labeled according to Texas law and include:
    • Contact information: address, phone number and/or email address
    • Common name of product
    • List of ingredients by weight
    • identification of any of common major food allergen ingredients that are present

              Please read Texas labeling laws here for details.

Required Documents: 

  • Insurance
  • Sales Tax Permit (if applicable)

Applicants under this category include:

  • Products that integrate local agricultural products (milk, honey, olive oil, herbs, etc.) with materials sourced outside of the farmers market to create a health/body-oriented product.
  • All eligible products must be created by a local artisan located within 150 miles of the market attended.
  • Products should use organic ingredients when available and as many market products as possible & reasonable.
  • No craft, jewelry or art items will be accepted.
  • Examples: Beauty & skincare products

NON- FOOD ARTISAN VENDOR

Non-Food Artisan Vendors may be eligible for entry into DFM if product materials integrate local agricultural products (milk, honey, olive oil, herbs, etc.) with materials sourced outside of the farmers market to create a health/body-oriented product.

​All eligible products must be created by a local artisan located within 150 miles of the market attended. No craft, jewelry, or art items will be accepted.

​-Examples: Beauty & skincare products

​Products should use organic ingredients when available and as many market products as possible & reasonable. 

Products to be sold must be presented for sampling and inspection of labeling before acceptance into DFM. The Executive Director will request these samples from you– please do not drop off before invited to do so.

​In your application, you must be as transparent and detailed as possible about your operation’s methods, ingredients, and philosophy. We value honesty and a commitment to local, sustainable systems, and preference is always given to organic (uncertified or certified) operations. The vetting of applications is conducted by the entire Board of Directors at our monthly Board meetings and depending on when you submit your application it may take up to 1 month to receive a final response.

Mobile Food Service Operations

FOOD PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS:

All Mobile Food Service Vendors must provide proof of the following:

A food truck vendor is a large vehicle with a kitchen to make and serve food. 

Also under this category would fit, mobile food vendors that make and prepare food in a tent setting with a grill or cook top.

Applicants under this category require the following:

​Office of the Texas State Chemist: https://otscweb.tamu.edu/

Registration and Permit: https://otscweb.tamu.edu/Forms-Fees/Download.aspx

Pet Food & Treats Rule Book:  https://otscweb.tamu.edu/Laws/PDF/PetFoodRules.pdf

Pet food is defined as any commercial feed prepared and distributed for consumption by dogs or cats.

A Community Supporter is a non-profit organization within the Dickinson Community that offers services for citizens, to educate and to be of serve.

example: Keep Dickinson Beautiful, VFW, The Pilot Club, The Optimistic Club, Lions Club, The Library, Animal services.

Required Documents: 

  • Insurance 
  • Sales Tax Permit (if applicable)

A local Artisan is someone that works with their hands to create unique, functional and/or decorative items using traditional techniques. Artisans are masters of their craft and create products such as clothing, jewelry, toys, tools, furnishings.

Applicants under this category include:

  • Window Boxes, Raised Garden Beds, Planter Boxes
  • Bird Houses
  • Pottery
  • Handmade Jewelry whereas beads and other materials are handcrafted locally.

Vendor Handbook