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“L

ocally made, locally grown.” That’s been the charm behind Oriental’s Farmers’ Market and what our customers have come to expect since the market began in 2007.

“Locally made, locally grown” is also the simple standard for what can be sold at the market. If you grow or raise something or bake it or make it — here in Oriental, or close to Pamlico County — you are welcome to sell it at the Oriental Farmers’ Market

A steering committee of the Oriental Farmers’ Market — Janet Alexander, Sandie Beal, Susan Kent, Flora Moorman, Melinda Penkava and Gail Wallace — has drawn up some guidelines aimed at clarifying operating procedures as the market attracts more vendors and customers. As you will see, the basic spirit of the market remains — keeping things local.

We continue to welcome new vendors to our market, and hope that the following proves helpful in learning how to become part of the Oriental Farmers’ Market.

Oriental Farmers’ Market Guidelines

1. LOCALLY MADE, LOCALLY GROWN: Items sold at the Oriental Farmers’ market, must be locally grown or locally made.

2. PRODUCE: The emphasis of the Oriental’s Farmer’s market is on fresh, locally grown produce. Priority is given to produce grown within a 50-mile radius. Produce sellers are encouraged to display, with signs, the town of origin where the crops were grown.

3. VENDORS are responsible for assuring that the sale of their goods complies with local, state and federal laws.

4. PREPARED FOODS & BAKED GOODS: Any prepared food and/or baked goods sold at the market must comply with NC Department of Agriculture regulations. NCDA requires a kitchen inspection for those who prepare foods that are sold at a farmers’ market. All the prepared food sold at the Oriental Farmers’ Market must come from NCDA inspected kitchens regardless of whether the baked goods and prepared foods are sold for-profit or not-for-profit, such as a charity bake sale. (To arrange an inspection, contact the NC Department of Agriculture at its Raleigh office — 919-733-7366 — and let them know you’d like an inspection here in Pamlico County, and they’ll guide you to the form to fill out and schedule you in for a visit from one of their inspectors.)

5. ARTISANS’ WORK & CRAFTS: The Oriental Farmers’ Market welcomes artisans and craftspeople from our area. Individuals (as well as non-profit organizations) selling crafts may have a table up to six-feet long at the market. A limited number of non-profits are welcome to be part of each week’s market.

6. PLANTS may be sold at the market in accordance with NC law, which says that individuals may sell bedding plants that they have grown from seed. True seed may also be sold. Selling plants that don’t fall in to those categories, such as perennials not cultivated from seed, may require a Nursery Certificate. (David Pearce in New Bern is the Plant Pest Specialist with NCDA in our area and conducts the inspections for Nursery Certificates. He can answer any questions on the subject and may be reached at 252-636-3796.)

7. FINDING THE REGULAR SELLERS: There are designated areas of the market for regular vendors, and unless they notify the market that they will not be present one week, their space is reserved for them. Among vendors new to the market, priority is given to the produce sellers.

8. NO FEE for selling at the Oriental Farmers’ Market. At the moment, there is no charge at all — no annual fee, no weekly fee — to sell at the market. (Our vendors had been paying a percentage of their sales each Saturday to the owner of the property where the OFM takes place — 5% for craft sellers and 3% for produce, food and plant sellers. But as of Spring 2011, no fee is being charged.)

9. NO LIVESTOCK: At a meeting of the vendors on January 28, 2012, a majority voted to ban livestock – live animals — at the market for the time being.

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