Farm to Soldier: Market Participation Policy

Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to outline the requirements and guidelines for farmers' markets wishing to participate in the Vouchers for Veterans Farm to Soldier Program. This program supports veterans by providing them, at no cost, vouchers for purchasing from local farmers and food producers at farmers markets in NH and ME. Farmers and food producers receive face value of all vouchers redeemed. To maintain the integrity and effectiveness of this program, participating markets must meet certain standards that benefit both veterans and the local agricultural community.

Eligibility Requirements for Farmers' Markets
To qualify for participation in the Vouchers for Veterans Farm to Soldier Program, the farmers' market must meet the following criteria:

1. Vendor Requirements:
   • Minimum of 3 large fruit/vegetable vendors who offer a variety of produce. 
   • Minimum of 1 large meat vendor who provides ground beef among other selections. 
   • Minimum of 10 consistent vendors present each day Vouchers for Veterans is in attendance. This ensures a vibrant and diverse market experience for all program participants.
2. Accessibility:
   • Plenty of nearby parking, including designated handicap parking spots for those with walking disabilities. This ensures the market is accessible to all veterans, particularly those with mobility challenges.
   • Market is open rain or shine. Farmers' markets must maintain operations in inclement weather to ensure consistency for veterans relying on the program.
3. Liability Insurance:
   • The farmers' market must carry its own liability insurance to protect all participants, including vendors and program participants.
4. Space for Vouchers for Veterans:
   • The market must provide a designated space for Vouchers for Veterans to set up its own logoed tent. Ideally, this space should be located near the entrance of the market for maximum visibility and ease of access for veterans.
   • Vouchers for Veterans will not pay a vendor fee and will not share space with another vendor or nonprofit. This ensures that Vouchers for Veterans maintains its own identity and independence within the market.
5. Market Composition:
   • The market should be no more than 10% non-agricultural craft vendors, unless these vendors are grouped together in a separate area. This ensures that the market maintains a focus on agricultural products, which aligns with the goals of the program.
6. No Competing Veteran Voucher Programs:
   • Vouchers for Veterans will not attend a market that currently operates or plans to operate its own Veteran voucher program. This ensures there is no overlap or conflict of interest between programs.

Enforcement and Consequences

• If a farmers' market falls below any of the stated standards mentioned in this policy or fails to meet the standards to begin with, Vouchers for Veterans reserves the right to deny the market as a partner, leave the market permanently, or until the market can demonstrate it meets all program standards. This ensures that the program only operates in markets that uphold the values of accessibility, diversity, and support for veterans.

Acknowledgement
By participating in the Vouchers for Veterans Farm to Soldier Program, the farmers' market agrees to uphold the standards set forth in this policy and to provide the necessary support to make this initiative a success for veterans and the broader community. Vouchers for Veterans retains the authority to make exceptions to the stated standards at its discretion.

If there are any further questions or clarifications needed regarding this policy, please contact the Vouchers for Veterans Executive Director, Morgan Morani, at [email protected] or (603)969-3121.