Become a Vendor

Thank you for your interest in joining Nourish Knoxville’s community of farmers markets! With four markets serving the Knoxville area, we’re proud to connect local farmers, food producers, and artisans with our community.

Our markets focus on local food, farm products, and value-added prepared foods. To support this mission, craft vendors make up no more than 40% of market booths on any given day. All products sold must be grown, raised, foraged, caught, harvested, or created by the applicant within a 150-mile radius of Knoxville, Tennessee.

Nourish Knoxville also serves as an incubator for small businesses, including farms, cheesemakers, bakeries, jewelers, woodworkers, and more. We’re excited about the possibility of working with you and supporting your business as it grows!

Important Policies to Note:

No Resale Allowed: Only items you have personally made, grown, or produced are permitted for sale at any Nourish Knoxville market.

Prepared Foods: All prepared food products must be made in a licensed and inspected kitchen. Please note, the “Domestic Kitchen Exemption” under the Food Freedom Act does not apply, as our organization adheres to more rigourous requirements.

Non-Refundable Application Fees: Double-check your eligibility and application before submitting, as application fees are non-refundable.

What Businesses Can Apply?

Farm & Agriculture

Local farms are the heart of our markets. Nourish Knoxville prioritizes farmers and producers who grow and raise food for our community while helping strengthen East Tennessee’s local food system.

To qualify, products must:

Be grown, raised, foraged, caught, or harvested by the vendor

Be produced within 150 miles of Knoxville, Tennessee

Prepared Food

Prepared food vendors bring fresh, ready-to-enjoy options to the market, from baked goods and specialty foods to hot meals and beverages made with care by local food entrepreneurs.

To qualify, products must:

Be prepared by the vendor in a licensed and inspected kitchen with applicable licenses

Must be significantly artisanal in nature and made from scratch by the vendor

Artisan Crafts

Our markets also feature a limited number of skilled artisans whose handcrafted goods add creativity and character while complementing the food-focused mission of the market.

To qualify, products must:

Be handmade by the vendor, from raw materials to the final product

Reflect original design and high-quality craftsmanship

Application Process

Follow the steps below for a seamless application process. Please keep in mind that vendor spots are competitive, so while being well-prepared can help strengthen your application, it by no means guarantees acceptance.

STEP 1: Determine Your Eligibility

Review the criteria outlined in the 2026-2027 Vendor Handbook to ensure you meet all requirements. Only eligible vendors will be considered.

Key Sections of the Vendor Handbook to Review:

Product Standards & Eligibility Criteria: Find detailed information about our agriculture, prepared food, craft, nonprofit, and other vendor definitions & governance as well as unaccepted products and categories.

Please note: while we strive to address most potential product types in this section, these are not an exhaustive lists. If your product doesn’t seem to fit within any of these categories or descriptions, we encourage you to contact us before applying to discuss your eligibility.

STEP 2: Review Market Rules & Regulations

Familiarize yourself with all rules and regulations in the applicable Vendor Handbook to ensure you can and will fully comply before submitting your application.

Key Sections of the Vendor Handbook to Review:

Market Schedule, Location, Booth Descriptions, & Fees: Find detailed information about each of our markets to determine the best fit for you and your business.
At-Market Operations, Materials, & Responsibilities: This section covers important topics such as booth assignments/dimensions, market amenities, setup and breakdown instructions, booth operations, signage, product storage and packaging, crisis management, and safety at market, as well as solicitation guidelines.
Legal Responsibilities: Learn about key legal considerations, including privacy policies, Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, workplace harassment, violence and discrimination, vendor conduct and communications, insurance requirements, and property loss or damage protocols.
Payment Procedures: Review the procedures for booth fees, late fees, infraction fees, refunds, and accepted payment methods to ensure smooth transactions at market.
Money & Alternate Market Currency Programs: Discover which alternate market currencies you can accept. Note that all vendors must accept U.S. currency and any applicable Nourish Knoxville-sponsored alternate currencies. Vendors are not required to accept credit cards or personal checks.
Cancellation Policy: Familiarize yourself with the policies regarding cancellations to understand the protocols in place.
Infraction Policy: Review the guidelines related to infractions to ensure compliance and avoid potential penalties.

A complete copy of the 2026-2027 Vendor Handbook can be found below:
2026-2027 Vendor Handbook

STEP 3: Ask Questions

Before reaching out, check our FAQ section at the bottom of this page to see if your question has already been answered.

If you still have any uncertainties or need clarification about the application process, product eligibility, or market operations, we encourage you to reach out to us! We’re here to help you navigate the application process and ensure you have all the information you need.

Email:
Send us an email with your questions or concerns using our contact link or by emailing markets@nourishknoxville.org directly. Because our market staff schedules vary, email is the best way to receive a timely and complete response from our team.

Phone:
Give us a call at 865-805-8687 during our office hours: Tuesdays 12 PM-3 PM, Wednesdays, 10 AM-1 PM, and Thursdays, 10 AM-1 PM, and our team will be happy to assist you.

STEP 4: Gather Documents

Gather all necessary permits and certifications required for your application. A complete application is essential for review, so be sure to follow these guidelines:

Identify Required Documents:
Depending on the nature of your products, you may need specific permits or licenses. Common documents include:

Agricultural Certifications: Required for farmers and producers, which may include: Organic Certification, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Certification, Certified Naturally Grown Certification, Retail Meat Permit, Plant/Greenhouse Certifications, Honey House Inspections, etc.

Prepared Food Certifications: Required for vendors selling prepared foods, which may include: Pet Food Licensure, Kitchen Health Inspections, City of Knoxville Mobile Food Unit Permit, Farmers Market Food Unit (FMFU) Permit, Food Manufacturing Permit, Better Control School Certification, Commissary Kitchen Agreement Form, etc.

*** Important Note: All prepared food products must be made in a licensed and inspected kitchen. The “Domestic Kitchen Exemption” under the Food Freedom Act does not apply, as our organization adheres to more rigorous requirements. ***

Verify Document Validity:
Check that all your documents are current and valid. Expired permits or licenses can lead to application delays or denials. If a delay in obtaining new or renewed permits is due to the permitting authority, you may be required to provide documentation proving that the delay was beyond your control.

Not sure if your product requires specific permits or licenses? Contact us!

STEP 5: Apply

Market Square Farmers Market – Winter 2026-2027 Season

Agricultural Vendor Applications: OPEN
Prepared Food Vendor Applications: OPEN
Please Note: We are currently at capacity for coffee vendors. New coffee vendor applications will not be considered at this time.
Craft Vendor Applications: OPEN
Please note: The Craft Vendor category is highly competitive due to limited space and the need to maintain a balanced farmers market. Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance. At this time, we are also at capacity for bath & body product vendors. As a result, new applications primarily featuring bath & body products will not be considered at this time.

New Harvest Farmers Market – 2026 Season

Agricultural Vendor: CLOSED
Prepared Food Vendor: CLOSED
Craft Vendor: CLOSED

Market Square Farmers Market – 2026 Season

Agricultural Vendor: CLOSED
Prepared Food Vendor: CLOSED
Craft Vendor: CLOSED

If you require assistance filling out a digital application or need a paper application mailed, please contact our offices at (865) 805-8687.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to participate in every Nourish Market?

No. You apply to each Market (New Harvest, Market Square, Winter) separately. All vendors reapply for each Market every year. Acceptance into one Market does not guarantee acceptance into another.

Do I have to participate every date the Market is held?

No. You can select specific dates on which you would like to participate when filling out the application. Priority will be given to applicants who select all/a majority of dates.

How much does it cost?

Refer to the 2026-2027 Vendor Handbook for a list of fees for each Market. Booth fees are per day, per space. All our Markets also charge a non-refundable application fee.

What if I select dates and want to change them after submitting the application?

You will need to email us with any requested date changes. Once you submit your application, you cannot manually change your own dates.

What if I can’t attend a date that I am approved for?

We have a 1-week cancellation policy. To receive credit for booth fees, please email cancellations at least one week before your selected date at markets@nourishknoxville.org. Please refer to the Cancellation Policy section in our Vendor Handbook for more information.

Do you provide tents and tables?

No. Each vendor provides their own setup. While tents are not required, they are strongly recommended. If you use a tent, Nourish Knoxville requires at least 25 lbs of weight per leg (100 lbs total), with weights securely fastened to the tent.

Do you allow prepared food made in a domestic/uncertified kitchen?

No. Nourish Knoxville requires all prepared food to be made in a kitchen that has been inspected and permitted by either the TDA or local health department. At this time, we do not allow prepared food vendors operating under the “Food Freedom Act” or domestic kitchen exemption.

Do I receive a refund if there is inclement weather at an outdoor market?

No. All Markets are held rain or shine. If Nourish Knoxville cancels a market due to dangerous weather, vendors will receive credit or a refund for that date.

Will electricity be available?

Yes, but only in select locations and in limited quantities. If you require electricity, please make a note in your application. We will not be able to accommodate all requests for electricity. A generator may be required for food trucks operating at the New Harvest Farmers Market, as access to power at this location is limited.

Before Applying

Important Policies to Note:

What Businesses Can Apply?

Farm & Agriculture

To qualify, products must:

Prepared Food

To qualify, products must:

Artisan Crafts

To qualify, products must:

Application Process

STEP 1: Determine Your Eligibility

STEP 2: Review Market Rules & Regulations

STEP 3: Ask Questions

STEP 4: Gather Documents

STEP 5: Apply

Frequently Asked Questions

Start typing and press enter to search