Vendor Newsletter

Spring 2024

In This Issue:

  • What’s New with WWFM

  • Applications open for 2024-2025 Vendors, Musicians, and Volunteers

  • Attendance: It’s Not Just About Sales

  • Event Calendar updated for 2024 (click for details)

Vol. 1 Issue 1

Your friendly neighborhood farmers market Board says hi!

Greetings From The Board!

Happy New Year, vendor community! When we say, “thank you for being part of WWFM,” we mean it! YOU make the difference between a ho-hum market and a great Saturday morning, and we are proud to be a part of this special community. To keep you in the loop with our efforts behind the scenes, we’ve created a Vendor Resource Hub and we’ll be publishing this newsletter quarterly. What would you like us to cover?

The past twelve months have been a period of transition for WWFM, with a lot of change and growth.

From 2022 to 2023, the Market’s leadership team expanded to include vendors, customers, and community members who brought a diverse slate of skills to the table. Merlin has been working closely with our leadership volunteers to strengthen the market, including finding ways to support our base and create a market that works for the vendors as well as their customers.

Since January 2023, we’ve revamped our online presence, partnered with local media and businesses for publicity, streamlined our vendor application process, amped up vendor recruitment efforts, and built active relationships with experts and agencies in the community. 2024, here we come!

Sponsorship & Grant Opportunities

SNAP: Coming Soon!

2023 in Review

WWFM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, which makes us eligible for a variety of funding opportunities. The Board is actively working to find and apply for grants that will allow us to expand the market’s presence, support our current initiatives, and better serve our community. If you come across any grants that seem like they might be a good fit, or know of any businesses we should approach for sponsorships, please share!

WWFM will soon start accepting SNAP/EBT payments for eligible purchases, thanks to a Wake County grant that we were awarded. All participating vendors will receive training in how to handle tokens and receive payment, so keep an eye out for that. Learn more about the SNAP Double Bucks program, find out if your business is eligible to accept SNAP, and reach out to Merlin with any questions.

Volunteers Make The Market Go!

We think we've got a pretty great community here at the market, but the perks of volunteering go far beyond  the fun of hanging out with our crew on a Saturday morning. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with an educational mission, we prioritize providing our volunteers with rewarding, real-life experiences that matter.

We’re looking for enthusiastic, friendly folks who want to be part of their local food community. Opportunities range from one-off event help to ongoing involvement in planning, advisory, or leadership roles. Learn More

Now Seeking Musicians

Do you know a musician who would be a good fit for WWFM? Applications are open for the 2024 season! We’re looking for a diverse, enthusiastic line-up of great musicians who reflect our community and customer base. Learn more and apply here by March 15.

Applications Due Feb. 15

We’re planning for the 2024-25 season, and we need a show of hands! All current vendors must apply with their intended attendance dates to be scheduled for the coming year. 

Please submit your application through our Google Form, and submit your application fee via:

The application fee for new vendors is $36; for returning vendors it is $25. (Full fee schedule here.) Application fees are non-refundable, so please read our Market Rules before applying.

Why Attendance (and Absence) Matters

Absence Affects Everybody

When we approve vendor applications, we lay out the schedule for the season, taking into account product seasons and anticipated attendance/ absences. We balance guests and non-food vendors, recruit to fill product holes, and, of course, advertise. Customers get very disappointed when a vendor is absent, especially when it’s one who was advertised as attending that week. It also makes them less likely to come back to the market next time, which hurts everybody. After all, who visits just one tent when they shop?

We’re Here — Are You?

WWFM is a rain-or-shine market. We’re also a cold-or-hot market. Barring states of emergency, it’s a good bet that we’re here — and that means our loyal customers are, too. If we want them to make us a priority, we have to make it worth their while. All scheduled vendors need to confirm or decline their attendance before 5pm each Wednesday, and to tell us what they’re bringing to market, so that the customers know what to expect.

Establish Realistic Expectations

Communication and consistency are key, but starting with a realistic schedule saves a lot of time. Of course, emergencies can arise, but some things are predictable - winter is cold; summer is hot; spring is wet. If your product is sensitive (or unavailable) or you typically have other obligations at certain times of year, factor that in on your application! Aside from lost sales and unhappy customers, repeated cancellations can affect your vendor fee, since fee tiers are based on attendance. And we know — life happens. If you find yourself needing to adjust your schedule on the fly, please reach out. We’re happy to work with you to find solutions.

Vendor Applications

Market Policies

Community Involvement

Payment Links

Thanks for being part of WWFM!