The Arlington Farmers' Market begins its 30th year in 2009. Because we value you as purveyors of fine produce in Arlington, we want you to know the latest rules and regulations.

• Producer Only Rule
  The Arlington Farmers' Market was founded on the producer-only principle: all products sold must be raised or made by the producer. The market has flourished under this rule. The producer-only rule nurtures local farmers and insures the freshest and highest quality foods possible for our customers. NO RE-SALE OF ANY PRODUCT IS ALLOWED, EVER.
• Eligibility
  Who is eligible to sell in the Arlington Farmers' Market? Producers of any kind must come from within a 125-mile radius of Arlington, VA. Our producers come from as far south as Hanover, VA (near Richmond) and north to the fruit-growing region of SE Pennsylvania, as well as west to the Shenandoah Valley. The radius limit helps support local farmers by providing them a direct market opportunity. At the same time, it insures a longer harvest season for our customers. In an effort to introduce new or under-represented farm products to our customers, the market may choose to extend the radius limitation.
• Space Availability
  At present, there are no spaces available for new producers. When spaces become available, they are filled on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration products already available in the market, and customer preferences.
• Attendance and Fees
  Once accepted into the market, the producer must attend twenty markets to reserve their space for the following year, provided they are in good standing otherwise. Temporary sales of a few weeks are not allowed. Producers are charged by the season ($370 for the mid-April to December season; $150 for the January to mid-April season). There is a 10% discount for paying the mid-April to December season in advance. This helps instill loyalty among customers by guaranteeing that a particular producer will always be there.  In addition, there may be an additional fee to help cover advertising and promotion costs.
• Hours of Operation
  The market operates every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon during the April to December season and from 9 a.m. to noon during the January through April season. Producers must be in place by 7AM and may use the next hour for set-up purposes. Bagging and selling begins promptly at the market start time with the ringing of the opening bell. Selling ends at noon with the closing bell.
• Products that may be sold include fresh fruit, vegetables, cut flowers and potted plants, herbs, cider, honey, Christmas trees and greens, jams, jellies, pickled produce, breads and other approved baked goods. Approved meats, eggs, cheese, and/or farm-raised fish may also be sold. Canned fruits and vegetables and crafts are not permitted however, permission can be sought for exceptions. Arlington is a growing and diverse urban community. Because of its proximity to Washington, DC, its residents come from, or have lived, all over the world. Producers who grow a wide variety of products which ultimately help satisfy the tastes and desires of our multi-ethnic community are especially encouraged.
• Producers receive assigned spaces for the entire season. More than five consecutive unexplained absences from the market constitute abandonment of the reserved space.
• Producers may give samples to customers, but only if in compliance with Arlington County health department rules.
• Baked goods must be handled in accordance with the rules and regulations described in the Bakers Certificate form. Current kitchen inspection reports through the Virginia or other states' health department are required.
• Applications will not be accepted from producers whose prior season fees have not been paid in full.