2025 Cedar Lake Farmers Market Food Truck/Food Vendor Application

Thank you so much for your interest in our 2025 Cedar Lake Farmers Market beginning Wednesday, May 14, 2024 running the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month May thru October, May-Aug 3-8pm and Sep-Oct 3-7pm!  Please fill out the application below if you’d like to participate in our market. Please note, submitting an application does not guarantee that you will be selected. We have a limited number of spaces and a competitive selection process. If approved, you will receive an approval email as well as an invoice on February 1st which will be due by March 31st.

FULL SEASON FOOD TRUCKS/VENDORS: When selecting dates, please be sure to leave out any dates you plan on participating in Lake/Porter County Fairs so we have plenty of time to be sure we have enough food at our event!

May 14 & 28: 3-8pm
Jun 11 & 25: 3-8pm
Jul 23: 3-8pm
Aug 13 & 27: 3-8pm
Sep 10 & 24: 3-7pm (end time changes due to earlier sunset)
Oct 8 & 22: 3-7pm 

NOTE: This is a farmers and artisan market!  All vendors welcome to apply! We’re always looking for local artisans, crafters, food trucks, food vendors, bakers, local farmers, etc.!  If approved, you will be invoiced for the application pricing you chose.  

Electricity is not included.  FOOD TRUCKS: While electric may be provided at times, always have your generator with you and ready to go each market.

Please complete all required answers. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. 

Name
Address
(We are FULL in our food truck category for the 2025 outdoor season) Booth Size & Pricing: Please choose your pricing below for the size booth and invoice option you prefer.
Event Date Selection: (If FULL Season but attending any county fairs, please select FULL and then select the dates you will be with us and leave out the dates at fairs). Please choose ALL dates you are planning on attending if not full season. We use these dates to invoice you and expect you to be in attendance.
Are you a Home-Based Baker or providing us with a health department certificate?
You are required to carry insurance and provide proof you listed us as additional insured as follows: Town of Cedar Lake and Region Social/CLFM at 7408 Constitution Ave, Cedar Lake, IN 46303. I understand I will need to supply this once approved to cedarlakefarmersmarket@gmail.com.
Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload You can upload up to 20 files.
Do you accept payments other than cash? If yes, please check all other payments accepted.
Food Vendors (not available for food trucks): Would you like to apply to park at your booth for an additional $5 per market (NOTE: there are a limited number of these spots available and they are FREE to those who require handicapped accessibility and have a placard)?
Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload You can upload up to 2 files.
Will you be present at the market or sending an employee/partner? If sending employees/partners, you need to share the approval email with them so they know all instructions.
If you have participated with us in the past, have you consistently posted on social media? If the answer is no, are you willing to learn and commit to using social media for 2025?

REGON SOCIAL/CEDAR LAKE FARMERS MARKET TERMS & CONDITIONS

FOOD/BAKED GOODS POLICY:
  • Home-Based Baker products must provide proper labeling on each item packaged to sell according to the most current Lake County Health Department regulations. List product name, town/city product was made in and date product was made. List all ingredients and note that product was made in a non-inspected kitchen.  (Please call for any 2025 additions to this list and to ensure you are following county guidelines at (219) 755-3655. If you have never participated in an event it is best to call the health department to find out how to properly label. They are very nice and helpful and they do want you to succeed.
  • Food Vendors are required to carry insurance and provide proof from your insurance company listing the Town of Cedar Lake and Region Social/CLFM at 7408 Constitution Ave, Cedar Lake, IN 46303 as additionally insured.  Please submit proof to cedarlakefarmersmarket@gmail.com
  • Food vendors must provide a hand washing station, catch bucket, soap, and paper towel within my booth space if it’s a health department requirement for your type of booth.
  • If using a generator, your generator must be quiet with no smell and long extension cords must be used with cones to prevent tripping hazards.
EVENT/PRODUCT RULES:
  • All supplies (chairs, tables, product, etc.) must be contained within the booth space purchased. If my setup exceeds the assigned space, I will be asked to adjust my booth space. Due to safety concerns, no exceptions will be made. All vendor property must remain fully intact until the event has officially ended at 7 or 8p (depending on date). We will make note of any vendors taking down early and may not invite them back. Shoppers stay until we close and it looks unprofessional.  All vendor equipment must be dismantled and removed from the grounds at the conclusion of the event within 90 minutes of the closing time.  If you use boxes of any kind they need to be broken down and taken to the dumpster in the paved parking lot.  All trash MUST be removed from the grounds and your space must be removed of all debris before exiting.
  • A 10×10 canopy tent is REQUIRED to participate if not in a food truck.  Vendors are required to provide their own canopy with 4 weights and 4 stakes, 1 of each on every canopy leg. Canopies must be staked and weighted regardless of wind prediction. Someone from Region Social will be around to check your weights to keep our area safe.  We do have random inspections from the town and need to be ready to show we’re up to par with safety standards to keep canopies from taking off and possibly injuring or damaging.  (Note, an umbrella or camping tent in place of a canopy is NOT allowed).
  • Vendors must provide all supplies needed for set up and to keep their area clean and in good order at all times: (fitted floor length tablecloth, canopy, weights, hammers, stakes, tables, etc./ Suggested: outdoor rug in case of mud/grass clippings, battery operated lighting in the fall months, fitted tablecloths highly recommended outdoor, etc.). Need fitted tablecloths? They can be found here:  https://a.co/d/5M5sd8g
  • No poster boards for booth signs.
  • No political products or flags other than the American flag, can be sold, worn or hung during the market.
  • This is a family friendly event, absolutely no products can have vulgar images or swear words on them. No marijuana leaves or anything drug related.
  • Vendors are required to collect their own sales tax.
  • Pets must be leashed at ALL times (if bringing) and cleaned up after.  DOGS THAT YAP, BARK, NIP OR BITE WILL NOT BE WELCOMED BACK.
  • There is NO SMOKING in the market.  Smoking is allowed in the vendor parking area ONLY.  If your booth is in the aisle nearby, you must still walk to the designated parking area to smoke, not behind your booth!
  • There is no alcohol use permitted within the market for vendors and shoppers.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
  • If vendor cancels for a market that was previously committed to less than 5 days before the market, the vendor will not be refunded, credited, etc.
  • If vendor cancels on a market day or does not show for a market signed up for, his/her/their future booth space and/or remaining paid markets may be forfeited. This affects other vendors who may end up with empty spaces and the open gaps in the traffic flow affects booth neighbor’s attendance.
  • In the event of rain, we will usually remain open, but will close for severe weather.  Booth fees are non-refundable for severe weather or any other reason.  Due to the market being primarily in grass, in the event of heavy or all day rain, we may need to postpone or cancel so cars don’t get stuck.  Please look to the Facebook group for additional weather related info on the day of.
  • In the event the market is postponed or canceled due to circumstances beyond Cedar Lake Farmers Market’s control, booth fees will not be refunded. In the event of government shutdowns, payments will be forwarded to a future date.  If no future date is available, refunds will be given minus the payment and administrative fees.
SOCIAL MEDIA RULES
  • Vendors must share the main Facebook event each market on personal and business pages. We have a strong emphasis on social media and ask that you post fresh info on each market day on either Facebook and/or Instagram on your business or personal pages to help promote personal business at the market. In doing this it helps you and the other entrepreneurs gain more traffic flow. It’s definitely a teamwork effort to get the awesome crowds that we do. We will have step by step information provided for you in our private Facebook group to help you, if this is something new to you. Kelly, the Event Specialist, is also happy to walk you through this over the phone or in person if needed.  Also, reach out to Kelly if you would like information on upcoming classes on using social media to grow your own business.
LEGAL POLICIES
  • I understand this is an outdoor market that runs through 3 different weather seasons which could include cold temperatures or extreme heat.  I acknowledge this fact and I will be prepared for such conditions by bringing portable fans, cooling devices, proper attire, etc.  In the event I am unable to handle these temperatures for health reasons, I will personally reach out to Kelly in advance so she can be prepared.
  • I agree that Kelly Dykstra and/or Region Social/Cedar Lake Farmers Market and/or Town of Cedar Lake and its employees and officers are not in any way responsible for theft/loss/damage.
  • I agree that if I cause any damage to the event space or its property, I will pay for any repairs and/or charges that incur.
  • I agree that Region Social/Cedar Lake Farmers Market may use such photographs of me with or without my name and for any lawful purpose, including for example such purposes as publicity, illustration, advertising, and Web content.

Region Social Events