Health Department Permit Now Required

PortsEvents will once again obtain the permit for the market as a whole, but Portsmouth Farmer's Market Participants are also required to have permits for each food vendor this year.

If you already have a permit from the Virginia Department of Health, you need not pay the $10 fee, but we still need to have the permit application from each vendor. A copy of the permit and application is attached; you can fill it out and fax it to: 703-783-0053. If you cannot fax the application, please e-mail the following information to terryatwinc@aol.com :

Vendor/Owner Name
Address
Work Phone
Home Phone
A list of all food and beverage items that will be sold at the Portsmouth market.

Please include the following sentence at the end of the listing:

"The above is true to be to the best of my knowledge, and I will comply with the Health Department Requirements, signed [your name and the date]."

I will fill out the applications for signature at the April market for those vendors who cannot fax the application with signature to me.

I look forward to seeing you Saturday--and to getting your permit applications, which should take approximately 5 minutes or less to complete, as soon as possible. I will be taking them to the Portsmouth Health Dept. on Tuesday afternoon, March 30, so I'd appreciate getting them back by noon. If you have any questions or for some reason can't make the Tuesday deadline, give me a call; I can be reached at 757-397-6395.

I'm sorry for the late notice, but at least the form is extremely short and uncomplicated, and the fee is minimal!

Sincerely,
Terry Danaher, happy purchaser of just about everything at last year's market!
PortsEvents Volunteer
phone: 757-397-6395
fax: 703-783-0053
e-mail: terryatwinc@aol.com

April 3rd and May 8th Have Been Added to the Farmer's Market Schedule

We have the opportunity to use the Courthouse Gallery Parking lot on April 3, for the Farmers Market. This will be our first themed market. The theme will be "Going Green in Olde Towne"

Bonsai demonstrations, art exhibits, music, Stealth Mobile Shredding will be here for free shredding Bring what you have and join us for a fun filled Sat. great time to get your legs for our official opening on May 1st.

In addition to our current dates, Sat. May 8th has been added to the schedule. This is the week-end of Gosport Arts Festival and Portsmouth will be buzzing with visitors from everywhere. This is A BIG EVENT!!! Market hours will be 9:00am to 1:00 or 2:00pm. or until you sell out.

The schedule below reflects the additional dates.

If you have suggestions, comments, questions please call Brenda at: 397 2616.

So You'd Like to Participate in the Farmer's Market

If you're interested in participating in the Portsmouth Farmer's Market, contact Brenda at:757 397 2616. Participant's are required to fill out an application and obtain a "Grower's License."

This license is issued by the city of Portsmouth, 801 Crawford Parkway, 1st floor, Commissioner of the Revenue Office.There is no charge for this license. If you need more information about this license, you may call or email Bernetta Walker. Walkerb@portsmouth.gov 757 393 8714 ext 2110.

All others, who are not growers, are required to have a business license. (same address and info above) If you already have a business license from another city that will be acceptable, and you do not need one from Portsmouth.

2010 Portsmouth Farmer's Market Schedule

At last great news has arrived. Brenda, one of the Farmer's Market original organizers, sent participants and other volunteers the following email. It outlines this year's schedule.
"We are delighted to send this mail to you. Olde Towne Business Association (OTBA) promised new and better things for 2010, Farmer's Market will participate in First Friday's. ( the first Fri of each month 5:00pm to 8:00pm). This is a popular event each month that brings many visitors for a fun filled evening, your presence is going to make it even better.
Our permanent location for the Market will be Court Street. This location is not only high visibility, but it affords us the space that is needed.

Below is the schedule for the market.

April 3

May 1, 7, 8, 15

June 4, 5, 19

July 2, 3, 17, 31

August 6, 7, 21, 28

September 3, 4, 18

October 1, 2, 16

November 5, 6, 20

December 4 and to be announced.

Looking forward to seeing all of you in May 2010."

City of Portsmouth Celebrates National Nutrition Month (March)

The Portsmouth Farmer's Market is a way of obtaining in-season, farm/garden fresh produce, herbs, meats, and products. Fresh, minimally processed foods are the best kind. It's what nature intended us to eat. To these ends, the city of Portsmouth VA will be celebrating National Nutrition Month and the Portsmouth Farmer's Market Blog would like to share this information by publicizing their announcement.