The information on this page is intended to answer some of the questions that we've been asked most often at the market. If you have a question about IPFM that isn't answered here, please feel free to contact us. The IPFM Market Manager is Kathleen Nelson, and can be reached at (802) 723-4046. You can also email questions to ipfarmersmarket@yahoo.com.
Q: Do I have to sell produce in order to take part in the market?
A: Not at all. Last year, in addition to produce vendors, we had leather goods, yarn, stained glass, maple syrup, baked goods, wood sculpture, and pottery, just to name a few. If you have a handcrafted product that you have made, you can probably sell it at IPFM. Contact us for more information.
Q. Are all of the vendors at the market each week?
A. Not every vendor is going to be at every market. Some of our vendors only come to IPFM a few times each year, while others commit to the entire 18-week season.
Q. I am interested in selling at the market, but cannot commit to coming every week. Can I still take part?
A. Absolutely. Many of our vendors last year, and several of this year's vendors, sign up to sell on a drop-in basis. Drop-in vendors are more than welcome. We do ask that you contact the market manager at least 24 hours before the start of the market.
Q: It's raining! Are you going to hold the market today?
A: IPFM will be open rain or shine. If the weather conditions are truly dangerous, the market manager has the option of cancelling the market or closing early, but if it's just raining, we'll be there. Some vendors may opt-out of attending the market if it is raining, due to the nature of the products they sell, but most remain regardless of the weather.
Q: Is there a restroom available at the market?
A: There is a portable toilet at the market site.
Q: Why don't you have kiwi fruit/tomatoes/watermelons/etc. today? I can get them in any store!
A: Our produce vendors only sell things that they have grown in their fields or gardens. Depending on the time of year, their offerings may vary considerably depending on what is in season. Our region has a fairly short growing season, so we may not have everything that could be found in the produce section of the supermarket, but what we have hasn't been shipped across the country or around the world.
Q: Is there an ATM nearby?
A: There are two ATM locations in the village, one at Lakeside Minimart, and one at Community National Bank.
Q: Why isn't the market set up at the town beach anymore?
A: The decision to move was not an easy one. The spot we had at the town beach was an attractive location, but after three years, we were outgrowing the capacity of the space. At our new location, we will have much more space available to us, access to electricity, and shelter. After some of the severe weather we experienced during the 2007 season, the need to have access to shelter became painfully obvious to us.