Farmers Market at Ho'olako Campus

• Location: Ho‘olako Campus (exact site map and vendor layout will be shared upon acceptance)

• Market Days: Wednesdays and Sundays

• Estimated Launch Date: Sunday, March 1

• Hours: To be announced; tentatively 9:30am - 3:00pm
  (vendors must be set up before opening and remain for the full market hours)

This Market prioritizes

• Locally grown and locally made products

• Small-scale farmers and value-added producers

• Consistent quality, transparency, and food safety

• A respectful, family-friendly market environment

We welcome applications from:

• Produce farmers

• Livestock and protein producers

• Value-added food producers

• Plant and nursery vendors

• Food Truck Vendor
  
  

Local Sourcing Policy:

• Fresh Produce:

  • All fruits, vegetables, and other fresh agricultural products must be grown in Hawai‘i County.

  • No non-local produce may be sold.

• Value-Added Products:

  • Jams, sauces, baked goods, and other prepared foods should use the majority of ingredients sourced from Hawai‘i County whenever possible.

  • Vendors are encouraged to label which ingredients are local.

• Food Truck / Ready-to-Eat Vendors:

  • Food trucks and other prepared food vendors may use ingredients from outside Hawai‘i County.

  • Vendors are encouraged to use local ingredients wherever possible and to highlight local produce in their menu.

The following measures are intended to protect Hawaiʻi Island farmers, maintain market integrity, and build consumer trust—while remaining accessible and respectful of small-scale and traditional farming practices.

• Movement Certificate / Certificate of Ownership
  All produce brought to market must be accompanied by a valid movement certificate or certificate of ownership.

• Farm Location Verification
  Produce farmers must provide a Hawaiʻi Island farm address or TMK as proof that produce is grown within the County of Hawaiʻi.

• Producer-Only Sales
  Vendors must be the grower or an authorized representative of the farm. Resale of off-island or undisclosed produce is not permitted.

• Crop & Volume Consistency
  Products offered must reasonably align with the farm’s size, crops grown, and seasonal availability.

• Farm Documentation (As Needed)
  Market management may request a brief farm profile, photos, or conduct a site or virtual visit for verification purposes.

• Annual Attestation
  Farmers may be required to sign an annual statement confirming that all produce sold is grown on Hawaiʻi Island.

• Clear Farm Identification
  Farm name and Hawaiʻi Island location must be clearly displayed at the booth.
  
  

All vendors are required to have a current General Excise (GE) License as issued by the State of Hawai‘i.

Item descriptionAll vendors are required to carry General Liability Insurance.

• Insurance must meet the market’s minimum coverage requirements.

• This insurance follows the farmer/vendor everywhere (it is not limited to this market only).

Insurance Portal

To make this easy and affordable, the market will provide access to an online insurance portal where vendors may:

• Sign up for General Liability Insurance, or

• Enter and record an existing insurance policy number if already insured

More details, including coverage limits and portal access, will be provided upon conditional acceptance.

Introductory Market Fees (6-Month Pilot)

• Vendor booths (produce, value‑added and ready-to-eat-food):
  $10 per day
  This low introductory fee helps support local farmers and producers as we build community participation.

• Food Truck Vendors:
  $100 per day
  

Post‑Pilot Fees

Vendor Booths (10’ x 10’ space):

• Local fresh producers:
  $20 per day

• Value‑added and ready-t-eat-food:
  $25 per day

Food Truck Vendors:

• $100 per day

By participating, vendors agree to:

• Arrive on time and be fully set up before market opening

• Stay for the full duration of the market

• Clearly label products with farm or business name and location

• Follow all State and County health, safety, and permitting requirements

• Maintain a clean, safe, and respectful booth space

The market reserves the right to remove vendors who do not comply with market rules.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and evaluated based on:

• Product type and quality

• Market balance and product diversity

• Compliance with insurance and regulatory requirements

• Alignment with the mission and values of the market

Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance.