Interested in becoming a vendor at the New West Farmers Market?

Do you have a passion you’d like to turn into a business? Do you want to learn how to join the amazing community environment of a farmers market? Do you want to start your own small business but you’re intimidated by how to begin?

We’ve got your back!

The New West Farmers Market is proud to be a small business incubator where we help new businesses start, grow, and blossom. Our mission is to create an inclusive and environmentally sustainable farmers market that strengthens community and our local economy, increases food security and supports local producers through bringing locally produced food to the community. 

Why Become a Vendor?

• Dedicated and Diverse Customer Base: 
  • We are conveniently located in Tipperary Park, in the middle of the densest city in all of Canada! We see an average of 800 – 1300 customers per market, depending on the time of year and weather.
  • According to Survey data, the majority of customers visit 2-4 times per month, with about 50% spending 25-50 dollars at the market and 26% spending more than 50 dollars.
  • Customers are looking for a diverse array of products, according to survey data, specifically;  vegetables (75%), baked goods and snack items (75%), Fruits (65%), prepared foods (56%), and bread (55%).
  • In 2024, we came in 5th in the province for number of coupons redeemed at our market! If you are a primary producer and able to accept BCAFM Nutrition Coupons, you will do well at our market.

• Accessibility:
  • We’re grateful to be located along multiple major public transportation routes and roadways, and there are tons of cycling options and car-share lots, making the market accessible no matter how you like to get around the city.
  • New Westminster is also one of the most centrally-located municipalities in all of the Lower Mainland. Vendors based in Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Langley, Coquitlam, or Port Moody can all expect to be able to drive to the market in ~30 minutes or less during non-peak hours!

• Cultivated Care:
  • We’re proud to have an incredibly dedicated team of volunteers who are happy to help support vendors however possible. Whether it’s a water bottle refill, a booth-bodyguard for bathroom breaks, or getting that one last pesky tent leg to stay in place – they’ve got your back! 
  • Our customer’s often say that one of their favourite parts of shopping at the New Westminster Farmers Market is the relationships they’ve built with the vendors. With a high amount of regular weekly and biweekly customers, it’s inevitable that you’ll start to make some friends here in New West.
  • Being situated in Tipperary Park, our farmers market is in a serene little nook of greenery amongst the rest of our city’s hustle and bustle. While vendors have reported loving trees flanking either side of the market, we’ve become a neighbourhood hang-out spot. We’ve developed a tradition of picnicking around the market, and our community is especially invested in making this a sustainable, enjoyable experience for everyone – including our vendors. 
  • To ensure that vendors and guests have a comfortable experience at the market, we’ve made sure that we have running potable water, portable toilets, waste bins (garbage/recycling/compost), and various free parking locations available. 

• Marketing: 
  • We have over 15,000 followers across our Instagram, Facebook, and Newsletter, and your name will be advertised in our weekly list of vendors that gets distributed on these three platforms. We also host a series called Vendor Spotlight – in which we showcase vendors that are either regular attendees, customer favourites, unique, or stemming from underrepresented backgrounds. By becoming a vendor at our market, you’ll be able to reach a whole new audience online! 

Vendor FAQ:

• What is the BCAFM and are you a member?
  • Our market is a part of the BC Association of Farmers Markets and it is a part of our mandate to support local business. We only accept vendors who make, bake, grow, or forage their own products in BC. We do not accept reselling and only accept businesses with brick and mortar shops under specific circumstances. The BCAFM supports markets and vendors through providing resources, advocacy and operating the province-wide Nutrition Coupon Program, which increases our customers’ ability to buy fresh produce, honey, dairy, meat, fish, eggs and nuts from our local producers. In 2024, we came in 5th in the province for number of coupons redeemed at our market! 

• How many customers visit the market each week? How much will I sell? 
  • We see an average of 800 – 1300 customers per market, depending on the time of year and weather. Our busiest season is during summer.
  • According to Survey data, the majority of customers visit 2-4 times per month, with about 50% spending 25-50 dollars at the market and 26% spending more than 50 dollars.
  • Customers are looking for a diverse array of products, according to survey data, specifically;  vegetables (75%), baked goods and snack items (75%), Fruits (65%), prepared foods (56%), and bread (55%)

• What type of documents or permits do I need?
  • It depends on what you’re selling! All vendors are required to have insurance. If it’s a food product there are many rules governed by the BCCDC and enforced by Fraser Health to keep in mind. If it’s not a food product, there may be other things you need to keep in mind as well (like cosmetic numbers, for example). You can see a brief overview of what you need to know and do for different types of products through our Vendor Guidelines here. Have questions about your specific product? Reach out here.  

How to join us:

1. Review our Vendor Guidelines carefully here. There is more information about how to apply there.
2. We use Marketspread! Get a head start before applications open by creating a vendor profile HERE.
3. Be patient! We are a small team with lots of applications to process. We will get back to you as soon as we can!
4. If we have dates for you, then purchase insurance (if you don’t already carry it).
5. Is this your first ever market? Make sure you’re ready with enough product, as well as your own tent, table, and chair(s). We do not supply these things. We also encourage a large banner with your business name (consider naming your business something that also explains what you are so that shoppers know why they should stop), obvious pricing signage, and labelled products (for example, don’t make your customers guess what flavours your cookies are!). 
6. Never been to NWFM before? Make a field trip! Come by and check it out so you know what to expect!

Have questions about the market, or your application? Shoot us an email! info@newwestfarmers.ca