| Frequently Asked Questions by Prospective Vendors |
Q: What kind of Vendors are the Wild West Richmond Farmer's Market Looking for?
A: We are always in need of produce farmers, baked good vendors, prepackaged food vendors, and of course unique is always
welcome! Not sure if your product would be allowed? Keep reading our fact sheet, if your still not sure shoot us an e-mail!
Questions@WildWestWorldInc.com.
Q: What does it take to become a vendor at the Wild West Richmond Farmer's Market?
A: First of all, you will need to send us an email at Questions@WildWestWorldinc.com. You will need to describe to us what you
sell and tell us a little bit about yourself and you business, make sure to include contact information, and where you business/farm is
located! If we feel you are a vendor that our market needs we will email you an application and set up an interview time with you. After
the interview, and hopefully your approval, we will need all the required paper work, (which varies depending on what you sell, keep
reading below for more info. about this topic) and you will be able to sell at our market the following Sunday!
Q: How long does the application process last?
A: Since we are a smaller market we will try to get to you through the application process as fast as possible. The average amount
of time for a Farmer to complete the application process and turn all their paperwork and being selling is 1 - 2 Weeks, depending on if
you need health department approval, this process could take longer.
Q: What are the fees?
A: Because we are a privately owned Farmer's Market we require each farmer to pay a very reasonable annual fee, and a very
reasonable weekly fee, which we collect every Sunday.
Q: Do vendors provide their own table, tents, chairs, etc. Electricity?
A: We provide electricity to the vendors for a small fee. Depending on availability we have 10 x 10 covered spaces, if they are not
available farmers may bring a 10 x 10 tent, but only a table is required. We do require for you to have a business sign at your booth.
Q: Do produce growers and backyard farmers have to be licensed? If not what must they provide?
A: Produce growers do not need to be licensed. If a farmer claims they practice organic growing practices, they must be certified by
the Texas Department of Agriculture.
Q: I am small scale backyard farmer. I grow everything organic and I want the certification to prove it
any advice?
A: If you are planning on selling your produce as organically grown, you would need to be certified as an organic grower by the
Texas Department of Agriculture. For a small grower like yourself, it would not be economically advisable to get certified, as it is very
expensive. However, you can label yourself as a Farmer who uses Sustainable growing methods.
Q: How do organic growing methods differ from sustainable growing methods?
A: Growers using the Sustainable label pledge to use only organic products and practices; however the term Organic is not
permitted to be used in signage since they are not technically certified Organic. Our Market advises consumers to ask these growers
any questions they might have about their production practices, since it is hard to know how closely organic principles are followed.
Q: Do your farmers have to display their growing practices?
A: Yes. All of our growers must post what their growing practices are (Certified Organic, Sustainable, or Conventionally Grown). As
well as the Farm, County and State of were their produce originated from (this is imperative for imported produce) We encourage all of
our customers to talk to the farmers about how they produce their vegetables.
Q: I would like to sell prepared food at the market. What permits do I need?
A: To sell prepared food at the market, you would need a food service manager’s certificate, a food manufacturer’s license, and a
certified kitchen that you work out of. Contact Fort bend County Health Department for approval to sell at our market. Click here to visit
the Website.
Q: I bake cookies out of my kitchen at home, can I sell them at your market?
A: Although we would love to sell your homemade baked goods, the health department will not allow baked goods such as cookies
to be prepared at an at home kitchen and be sold to the public.
Q: I make pickled vegetables. Do I need any additional permits?
A: Yes. In addition to the food service manager’s certificate and the food manufacturer’s permit, you would also need to get a
Canning Certificate from a Better Process Control School. The school needs to be an FDA approved school. The closest school in the
area that meets those requirements is Texas A&M, and it is also the only school in the state that offers the class. Their class is held
once a year in the fall at the AgriLife Extension Better Process Control School at the university in College Station. Currently, their
website is under construction, so any questions can be answered by Dr. Al Wagner at 979-845-7023 or at a-wagner@tamu.edu. If you
would like to get a Canning Certificate from a Better Process Control School, you can search for one at www.gmaonline.org, click on
Education then click on Better Process Control School.
Q: I make salsa. Do I need any additional permits?
A: Yes. If you plan on only refrigerating the salsa, then all you would need is a food service manager’s certificate and the food
manufacturer’s permit. However, if you are planning on having the salsa to only be refrigerated after opening, then you would also
need to get a Canning Certificate from a Better Process Control School. The school needs to be an FDA approved school. The closest
school in the area that meets those requirements is Texas A&M, and it is also the only school in the state that offers the class. Their
class is held once a year in the fall at the AgriLife Extension Better Process Control School at the university in College Station.
Currently, their website is under construction, so any questions can be answered by Dr. Al Wagner at 979-845-7023 or at a-
wagner@tamu.edu. If you would like to get a Canning Certificate from a Better Process Control School, you can search for one at www.
gmaonline.org, click on Education then click on Better Process Control School.
Q: I make Vinegar. Do I need any additional permits?
A: Yes. In addition to the food service manager’s certificate and the food manufacturer’s permit, you would also need to get a
Canning Certificate from a Better Process Control School. The school needs to be an FDA approved school. The closest school in the
area that meets those requirements is Texas A&M, and it is also the only school in the state that offers the class. Their class is held
once a year in the fall at the AgriLife Extension Better Process Control School at the university in College Station. Currently, their
website is under construction, so any questions can be answered by Dr. Al Wagner at 979-845-7023 or at a-wagner@tamu.edu. If you
would like to get a Canning Certificate from a Better Process Control School, you can search for one at www.gmaonline.org, click on
Education then click on Better Process Control School.
Q: What will sell best in this market?
A: Produce that is popular in the supermarkets tends to be popular with consumers; but producing a better version is the trick.
Unusual vegetables are sought after as well, and presentation can be very important in increasing sales. Talking with customers will
also enhance your chance to increase your sales, and also lets you determine customers' wants, and, most importantly, build a long-
term customer base.
Q: What is the best way to ask additional questions about you market?
A: Email us at Questions@WildWestWorldInc.com.
*Remember if you want to sell prepared food or baked goods at our market you must be approved by the Fort Bend County Heath
Department! Click here to visit the Website.
A: We are always in need of produce farmers, baked good vendors, prepackaged food vendors, and of course unique is always
welcome! Not sure if your product would be allowed? Keep reading our fact sheet, if your still not sure shoot us an e-mail!
Questions@WildWestWorldInc.com.
Q: What does it take to become a vendor at the Wild West Richmond Farmer's Market?
A: First of all, you will need to send us an email at Questions@WildWestWorldinc.com. You will need to describe to us what you
sell and tell us a little bit about yourself and you business, make sure to include contact information, and where you business/farm is
located! If we feel you are a vendor that our market needs we will email you an application and set up an interview time with you. After
the interview, and hopefully your approval, we will need all the required paper work, (which varies depending on what you sell, keep
reading below for more info. about this topic) and you will be able to sell at our market the following Sunday!
Q: How long does the application process last?
A: Since we are a smaller market we will try to get to you through the application process as fast as possible. The average amount
of time for a Farmer to complete the application process and turn all their paperwork and being selling is 1 - 2 Weeks, depending on if
you need health department approval, this process could take longer.
Q: What are the fees?
A: Because we are a privately owned Farmer's Market we require each farmer to pay a very reasonable annual fee, and a very
reasonable weekly fee, which we collect every Sunday.
Q: Do vendors provide their own table, tents, chairs, etc. Electricity?
A: We provide electricity to the vendors for a small fee. Depending on availability we have 10 x 10 covered spaces, if they are not
available farmers may bring a 10 x 10 tent, but only a table is required. We do require for you to have a business sign at your booth.
Q: Do produce growers and backyard farmers have to be licensed? If not what must they provide?
A: Produce growers do not need to be licensed. If a farmer claims they practice organic growing practices, they must be certified by
the Texas Department of Agriculture.
Q: I am small scale backyard farmer. I grow everything organic and I want the certification to prove it
any advice?
A: If you are planning on selling your produce as organically grown, you would need to be certified as an organic grower by the
Texas Department of Agriculture. For a small grower like yourself, it would not be economically advisable to get certified, as it is very
expensive. However, you can label yourself as a Farmer who uses Sustainable growing methods.
Q: How do organic growing methods differ from sustainable growing methods?
A: Growers using the Sustainable label pledge to use only organic products and practices; however the term Organic is not
permitted to be used in signage since they are not technically certified Organic. Our Market advises consumers to ask these growers
any questions they might have about their production practices, since it is hard to know how closely organic principles are followed.
Q: Do your farmers have to display their growing practices?
A: Yes. All of our growers must post what their growing practices are (Certified Organic, Sustainable, or Conventionally Grown). As
well as the Farm, County and State of were their produce originated from (this is imperative for imported produce) We encourage all of
our customers to talk to the farmers about how they produce their vegetables.
Q: I would like to sell prepared food at the market. What permits do I need?
A: To sell prepared food at the market, you would need a food service manager’s certificate, a food manufacturer’s license, and a
certified kitchen that you work out of. Contact Fort bend County Health Department for approval to sell at our market. Click here to visit
the Website.
Q: I bake cookies out of my kitchen at home, can I sell them at your market?
A: Although we would love to sell your homemade baked goods, the health department will not allow baked goods such as cookies
to be prepared at an at home kitchen and be sold to the public.
Q: I make pickled vegetables. Do I need any additional permits?
A: Yes. In addition to the food service manager’s certificate and the food manufacturer’s permit, you would also need to get a
Canning Certificate from a Better Process Control School. The school needs to be an FDA approved school. The closest school in the
area that meets those requirements is Texas A&M, and it is also the only school in the state that offers the class. Their class is held
once a year in the fall at the AgriLife Extension Better Process Control School at the university in College Station. Currently, their
website is under construction, so any questions can be answered by Dr. Al Wagner at 979-845-7023 or at a-wagner@tamu.edu. If you
would like to get a Canning Certificate from a Better Process Control School, you can search for one at www.gmaonline.org, click on
Education then click on Better Process Control School.
Q: I make salsa. Do I need any additional permits?
A: Yes. If you plan on only refrigerating the salsa, then all you would need is a food service manager’s certificate and the food
manufacturer’s permit. However, if you are planning on having the salsa to only be refrigerated after opening, then you would also
need to get a Canning Certificate from a Better Process Control School. The school needs to be an FDA approved school. The closest
school in the area that meets those requirements is Texas A&M, and it is also the only school in the state that offers the class. Their
class is held once a year in the fall at the AgriLife Extension Better Process Control School at the university in College Station.
Currently, their website is under construction, so any questions can be answered by Dr. Al Wagner at 979-845-7023 or at a-
wagner@tamu.edu. If you would like to get a Canning Certificate from a Better Process Control School, you can search for one at www.
gmaonline.org, click on Education then click on Better Process Control School.
Q: I make Vinegar. Do I need any additional permits?
A: Yes. In addition to the food service manager’s certificate and the food manufacturer’s permit, you would also need to get a
Canning Certificate from a Better Process Control School. The school needs to be an FDA approved school. The closest school in the
area that meets those requirements is Texas A&M, and it is also the only school in the state that offers the class. Their class is held
once a year in the fall at the AgriLife Extension Better Process Control School at the university in College Station. Currently, their
website is under construction, so any questions can be answered by Dr. Al Wagner at 979-845-7023 or at a-wagner@tamu.edu. If you
would like to get a Canning Certificate from a Better Process Control School, you can search for one at www.gmaonline.org, click on
Education then click on Better Process Control School.
Q: What will sell best in this market?
A: Produce that is popular in the supermarkets tends to be popular with consumers; but producing a better version is the trick.
Unusual vegetables are sought after as well, and presentation can be very important in increasing sales. Talking with customers will
also enhance your chance to increase your sales, and also lets you determine customers' wants, and, most importantly, build a long-
term customer base.
Q: What is the best way to ask additional questions about you market?
A: Email us at Questions@WildWestWorldInc.com.
*Remember if you want to sell prepared food or baked goods at our market you must be approved by the Fort Bend County Heath
Department! Click here to visit the Website.
