VIGA can help you sell at the Market

 We really appreciate the responses to our farm survey and market vendors surveys and we’ve learned a lot about your experiences as farmers on Vashon! We’ve also become aware of some of the blockers that keep growers from joining the Market. While the Market isn’t for everyone, we want it to be accessible for anyone.  With that in mind, we are launching two opportunities that we invite you to take part in.

Insurance Grants

A couple years ago, VIGA’s insurance changed the requirements for our Farmer’s Market vendors. This means that all vendors are now required to carry their own insurance. This can be a huge expense for new or small growers and we want to help!

VIGA is offering a $250 insurance subsidy to growers who meet the following criteria (6 available):

  1. It will be your first year attending the Vashon Island Farmers Market;

  2. You offer EBT and SNAP eligible products; and

  3. You can commit to attending the Market at six times during the Market Season.

We hope this helps you expand your customer base while providing more fresh food to our island community! To apply for this subsidy, please email vicepresident@vigavashon.org with your details.

Collective Table (Staffing Help!)

It can be hard to staff and fill a table each week at the Market. To help with this, we are restarting the Collective Table which will host up to three growers a week. It’s simple:

  1. Become a Market Vendor; (apply here)

  2. Sign up for a date to be part of the Collective Table;

  3. Drop off your goods on Saturday;

  4. Accept payment for your sales and collect your excess goods.

The Collective Table will be staffed by Market volunteers (though we would love for you to volunteer at least once during the Market season if possible!). You will still be responsible for the table fee and insurance (see above for support with insurance!), but we hope this will pool resources to support a wider group of growers. You can sign up for the Collective Table here.