Market Umbrella is the non-profit that runs the Crescent City Farmers Markets and a number of fresh food access incentive programs. As market operators, one of our core objectives is to support new and small businesses in our area by connecting them to market opportunities, and also through various technical assistance efforts to support local business development. We are committed to supporting our local culinary scene and bringing products to consumers that they love!

Market Umbrella is seeking to onboard local, prepared food businesses as regular market vendors to sell ready-to-eat foods as well as prepared foods for home consumption at each of our three weekly markets. Prepared food vendors can include: pop-ups, restaurants, catering companies, food trucks, and more.

A qualifying vendor will:

• Be a locally-based business
• Have an Occupational/General Business license in Orleans Parish and city and state sales tax certificates
• Not be a franchise
• Follow all applicable food safety regulations
• Adhere to Market Umbrella’s Rules and Regulations
• Have general and product liability insurance
• Produce in a LDH certified commercial kitchen

We prioritize vendors who:

• Are underrepresented business owners
• Are small, start-up businesses
• Provide foods that are culturally significant to New Orleans and/or Louisiana
• Produce culturally significant products from a diversity of cultures
• Prioritize using local ingredients when possible*

*If you do not currently source from local producers, but are interested in doing so, we can connect you with local producers in our network.

Rules

• You must be the producer of the products brought to market. Reselling products that other producers have made is not allowed.
• You can make your own non-alcoholic beverages to sell at market, but the reselling of prepackaged beverages not made by the vendor is not allowed (i.e. bottled water, Coca-Cola, etc).
• All food production must follow applicable regulations. Prepared foods/beverages do not fall under Cottage Food Law and cannot be prepared in home kitchens.
• Proper signage conveying product pricing is required for all items for sale. Product description with allergens declared is highly recommended for all items.

Market Umbrella will provide:

• A physical market space (see Participating Markets)
• Promotion of your business on social media to CCFM’s 30,000+ social media followers and with market shoppers
• Features in Market Umbrella’s weekly newsletter, the Morsel, distributed to 8k+ people weekly
• Token economy management to allow EBT/SNAP sales at market and vendor technical assistance

Vendor responsible for:

• Electricity/power, if needed (can be provided via truck/cart, etc.)
• Utensils, plates, bowls, boats, cups, etc.
• Labeling and price signage
• Tent, table, and all supplies needed for booth
• Providing a brief bio/business description for MU’s promotional use
• Vendors may accept any payment form they like, but must accept tokens which will be reimbursed by MU
• Illumination (for evening/night markets)
• Sanitary materials for on-site beverage preparation (gloves, PPE, sanitizer, etc.)
• Water for on-site preparation or hand-washing

Market Fees:

$40 per market from October through June, $35 per market July through September

$50 New Vendor Fee | $100 Annual Vendor Fee Renewal

Participating Markets

Uptown | Tuesdays at 200 Broadway at the River
Set up: 6-8 am Market: 8 am - noon

Mid City | Thursdays at 500 N. Norman C. Francis Parkway on the Lafitte Greenway
Set up: 1-3 pm Market: 3 - 7 pm

City Park | Sundays at Tad Gormley Stadium parking lot - Marconi and Navarre
Set up: 6-8 am Market: 8 am - noon

*Our markets are rain or shine. Vendors are required to remain set-up for the entire market regardless of weather.

Submit your Application

After you have read through this one-pager and our Vendor Rules and Regulations, apply to become a vendor here.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, or until markets are filled.

Contact us with any questions

If you have any questions about the application process or about the application, please email us at markets@marketumbrella.org or call us at the Veggie Hotline 504-495-1459.