IV. D. 3. Use of Co-Packing Facilities

The use of a co-packing facility appears to contradict our producer-only mission, as the final product is sold by someone other than the maker. As a blanket rule, products manufactured at a co-packing facility are not allowed to be sold at our Markets.

However, as the burden of regulatory compliance continues to limit the ability for local farms to create value-added products, the market may, at its discretion, make exceptions to this rule. There are two exceptions the market is more willing to consider: Market Vendor Collaborations, and the 100% Farm Rule.

Market Vendor Collaborations

On a case-by-case basis, products manufactured as a collaboration between two or more active market vendors may be allowed to be sold at our Markets.

Examples of permitted market collaborations include:

  • packaged chocolate covered kettle corn (collaboration between a packaged food manufacturer and a mobile food unit)
  • packaged chili mix (collaboration between a packaged food manufacturer and an award-winning chili competitor)

Prospective collaborations should be sent to us for review prior to manufacturing; only products which support our core producer-only philosophy will be approved. All collaboration permits are temporary (good for one season) and must be renewed annually; we reserve the right to discontinue this practice if we feel the essence of the market is being harmed.

The 100% Farm Rule

In accordance with our mission to help create sustainable agriculture in our region, we will review on a case-by-case basis products manufactured with co packers under the following conditions:

  • a local farm wants to create a value-added product using 100% of their farm-grown ingredients (basic ingredients, such as water, sugar, salt, etc. are reasonable exceptions)
  • 100% of the finished product is manufactured within our permitted geographical region
  • the farm acquires 100% of the finished product batch from the copacker; the final product is made exclusively for the farm.
  • the customer is 100% certain about the ingredient source and manufacturing processes used.

Target Products

Our goal is to facilitate value-added products such as:

  • a packaged apple cider for where 100% of the apples are from the selling orchard
  • a jerky created for a farm using their protein
  • a tomato sauce made for a farm using their farm-raised tomatoes

Forbidden Products

The following products

  • products created for someone using their secret family recipe (we require either ingredient growth, or direct manufacturing — an idea or marketing effort alone is not sufficient)
  • any private-label arrangement
  • any product manufactured outside of our geographical territory

Co-packed Product Permits

Prospective products should be sent to us for review prior to manufacturing; only products which support our core producer-only philosophy will be approved. All co-packing permits are temporary (good for one season) and must be renewed annually; we reserve the right to discontinue this practice if we feel the essence of the market is being harmed.

Additional inspection fees (to cover travel costs) may be required.