Foodchella Food Vendor Application

Event: 2025 Foodchella 8 + Beer Garden

Saturday May 10th, 2025, 3pm-8pm

Rain Dat - Sunday, May 11th, 2025, 3pm-8pm

Location: Slades Ferry Park

Somerset, MA 02726

Vendor Selection Policy

For SOAM Season 2025, we are prioritizing vendors who specialize in a specific product offering. By focusing on businesses with a clear area of expertise, we help each vendor shine in their chosen field. This approach also creates a more cohesive and enjoyable experience for customers.

If your business aligns with this vision, we’d love to welcome you to our market community!

What You Can Expect From SOAM for Your Spot Fee

What You Can Expect From SOAM for Your Spot Fee

1. Marketing & Promotion

• We advertise the market via paid and free channels, including physical signage, sponsored social media, newspaper features, and a bi-monthly email newsletter to 12K+ subscribers.

• Each vendor is showcased in a professionally designed social media post for added exposure.

2. Organized & Stress-Free Vending

• You’ll receive clear setup instructions and booth assignments in advance.

• Our friendly on-site team is available on market day to help with any issues or questions.

3. Curated Community & Support

• Join a thoughtfully selected roster of artisans and makers, attracting loyal shoppers who value handmade and artisanal goods.

• For food vendors, we’ll assist you in obtaining the necessary permits through the Town of Somerset’s Board of Health Department, ensuring a smooth and compliant process.

Rain Date Policy

The SOAM is a “rain or shine” event, with weather closures determined solely at the discretion of SOAM. While we strive to make reasonable decisions, please note that weather in New England can change rapidly. Market dates will only be canceled under exceptional circumstances, such as a forecast predicting 100% rain during market hours within 24 hours of the start time.

Decisions will be made by Friday morning prior to the market. If both the original market date and the designated rain date are canceled due to inclement weather, your booth fee will be fully credited for use at a future SOAM date.

Volunteers and Free Spot Fee Opportunities

SOAM is officially a Non Profit as of July 2023 - EIN: 93-1993655. Even before that IRS designation, we have run our events with a very small but dedicated volunteer team. However, we are always looking for an extra set of hands to help with the physical nature of running the markets. In lieu of a spot fee, if you or your partner/friend/spouse would like to help out with the setup or breakdown hours of the market, please check off the box below and we will get in touch with you. Additionally, if you have a Teenager in need of fulfilling Volunteer Hours, we have plenty of tasks they could help with at the market.

SOAM Guidelines and Policies

Pricing

• Artisan 10x10 Spot: $150

• Food 10x10 Spot: $200

• Food Truck 20x10 Spot: $350

Deposits

A $100 deposit is required upon acceptance to reserve your date. The deposit is applied to your booth fee and is non-refundable.

Vendor Rotation & Curation

You are only permitted to sell the specific products approved in your application. We reserve the right to approve or deny individual products to maintain a curated market experience. If we are not accepting you for all the items listed on your application, you will be notified as to which items are approved prior to your acceptance email being sent out; any items not approved may not be sold without prior written permission from SOAM.

Cancellations & Refunds

Notify SOAM via email at least 14 days before your market date for a refund (minus the non-refundable $50 deposit). Emergency cancellations are reviewed case-by-case.

No-Show Policy

Vendors must notify SOAM if unable to attend. A no-show without any prior communication will result in forfeited deposits and future participation.

Tents & Displays

Vendors must provide a secured 10x10 white tent with 30-pound weights per leg (120 pounds total). Business signage, tablecloths, and tidy displays are required. Items must stay within the tent space unless approved.

Booth Sharing

Booth sharing is prohibited without prior SOAM approval.

Tax ID & Regulations

Vendors must obtain and display a Massachusetts Tax ID Certificate. Vendors are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations.

Market Conduct

• Disruptive or rude behavior by vendors or helpers will not be tolerated.

• Smoking is prohibited on market premises.

• SOAM may remove products deemed offensive, unsafe, or inappropriate.

• Vendors must address safety concerns immediately or risk termination.

SOAM reserves the right to add or amend any reasonable rules and regulations at any time during and prior to the operation of the market.

Indemnification:

Upon submitting this application, Vendors agree to indemnify and hold harmless SOAM, and their officers, agents and employees from and against all liabilities, loss, injuries, damages, and claims arising out of or related in any way to Vendor's participation in SOAM.

For questions, contact the SOAM team.

SOAM is market for Makers founded by Makers. We celebrate all things local!

We champion the creators, the growers, the doers, and the entrepreneurial spirit. 

We are the SOAMily (SOAM+Family). We value community over competition. We are here to lift each other up.  We send out positive vibes to each other and our customers. We use our creations to bridge a connection between ourselves and others. We are moving the local Maker's economy forward. We are stronger when we do this together. Thank you for applying.