Become a Vendor

1. Obtain a Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) license for selling prepared "cottage foods" at farmers markets, if applicable. Applications can be submitted online.
2. Contact the market manager for the county farmer's market you are interested in joining.  Each market operates independently and is managed by the market master.
3. Become familiar with the County’s permitting requirements and  Farmers’ Market Sampling Guidelines.

For information about the  Cottage Food Law , testing requirements, processing and selling value added food products in Maryland, licensing and other resources, visit facility and process review MDH Office of Food Protection website .

New online course for Maryland Cottage Food Producers & On-Farm Home Processors.

* Please note that the MD Department of Health has revised its listing of approved "cottage foods" - sourdough, banana, zucchini, and pumpkin breads are no longer approved   *

Open a new Farmers Market

Are you interested in starting a new Farmers Market?

1. Contact the  market manager at one of the existing county farmer’s markets. Since they've been successful at doing this, they would be a good resource and have a wealth of information.
2. The Center for Agriculture & Food Systems offers a Farmers Markets Toolkit
3. Visit the  County's Health & Human Services site to ensure the market will be in compliance with any local health requirements
4. MDA Order form for safety products (i.e. portable hand washing station, wash your produce signs, etc.)
5. Consider having your market participate in the Maryland Money Market program

 Online Sales Platforms:

• Webinar: "Online Sales Platforms for Farmers"
• List & Comparison of Online Direct Sales Platforms

Important Information:

• Food Safety and Modernization Act
• Food Donation Tax Credit Program
• Farmers Market Nutrition Program Information
• Maryland Market Money