2026 Matawan FRESH Farmers & Makers Market

Vendor Agreement

1. Participation & Communication

Vendors agree to review and follow all event communications, including setup instructions and updates. Staying informed is essential to ensure smooth operations. Failure to comply may result in denial of entry or future participation.

2. Setup & Space Assignments

Market setup and space assignments may change at the organizer's discretion.

Vendors must follow all load-in directions and be fully set up by the event start time.

Late arrivals may be denied participation without refund or reschedule.

3. Breakdown Policy

Vendors may not begin breakdown before the official event end time. Early breakdowns negatively impact the event experience and may result in removal from future events.

4. Equipment & Safety

Vendors are responsible for providing their own tents, tables, and equipment.

Minimum required tent weights: 50 lbs per leg (200 lbs total).

All structures must be secure and compliant with local safety standards.

5. Approved Products

• Vendors may sell only products approved by the organizer.
• Adding new items requires prior written approval.
• Only original producers and artisans are permitted; resale or brokering is not allowed unless specifically authorized.

6. Power & Utilities

• Organizers may or may not provide electricity. Vendors requiring power must bring their own generators or obtain written approval for on-site power use.
• Generators must be quiet and placed in a location approved by event staff.

7. Space & Setup Requirements

• Space dimensions will be specified before each event.
• Requests for additional space must be made in advance and approved in writing.

8. Insurance

Vendor insurance is not required, but it is recommended. Vendors participate at their own risk and are responsible for their property, equipment, and products during the event. The organizer is not liable for loss, theft, damage, or injury arising from participation.

9. Food Vendors & Health Compliance

• All food vendors must obtain the required permits from local health authorities before participating.
• Vendors must comply with all food safety regulations and maintain valid permits for each municipality where events occur.

10. Local Requirements

Municipal permits, licenses, or inspection forms may vary by location. Vendors are responsible for obtaining and maintaining all required documentation before participating.

11. Code of Conduct

Vendors agree to maintain a professional and respectful presence toward staff, customers, and fellow vendors. Organizers reserve the right to remove any vendor for disruptive or unsafe behavior.

Vendors are required to comply with all cancellation policies and must notify market staff via the designated text number prior to the start of the event if they are unable to attend. Failure to provide timely notice may result in immediate and permanent removal from all Fresh Markets events, without refund, credit, or transfer of any purchased dates.

12. Organizer Rights

Organizers reserve the right to:

Reassign spaces or adjust event layouts as needed.

Cancel or reschedule events due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

Cancel an event if a venue is unable to fulfill its commitment for reasons beyond the Organizer's control. In these cases, vendors will receive a credit to their Fresh Markets account equal to the amount paid for the affected date. Credits are non-refundable, non-transferable, and must be used by the end of the current calendar year.

Deny participation to vendors who violate these terms.

Acknowledgment

By applying or participating, the vendor agrees to abide by these terms and any additional rules communicated by the event organizer.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Cancelations within 24 hours: Vendors are required to comply with all cancellation policies and must notify market staff via the designated text number prior to the start of the event if they are unable to attend. Failure to provide timely notice may result in immediate and permanent removal from all Fresh Markets events, without refund, credit, or transfer of any purchased dates.

2. Organizer Rights

1. How Cancellations and Credits Work

• Vendors cancel through the vendor dashboard: https://convene.markets/dashboard
• After cancellation, the applicable rebooking fee is assessed and the remaining balance is issued as account credit.
• Credits auto-apply to the next invoice for any event on the platform.
• Credits expire at the end of the calendar year. Unused credits are forfeited.

2. Fee Schedule and Eligibility

Timing of Request- What Counts-FeeOutcome

Within 24 hours of purchase

Refunds or date changes for the same booking

$15

Credit issued to account minus fee

15 or more days before event date

Date change

$25

Credit issued to account minus fee.

7–14 days before event date

Date change

$50

Approval required. Credit issued minus fee.

6 days or less before event date

Any change, credit, or refund

Not available

No changes, refunds, or credits

Notes:

• "Date change" includes moving a booked single date or adjusting a seasonal schedule.
• Refunds after 24 hours from purchase are not available for any reason.

3. Seasonal and Monthly Vendors

No refunds, credits, or date changes for missed dates or cancellations on seasonal or monthly plans.

4. Rain Dates

If an event has a pre-scheduled rain date and the vendor cannot attend, no refunds or credits are issued for that rain date.

5. Same-Day and On-Site Communication

For cancellations within 24 hours of the event, vendors must text or call 732-481-4691 with vendor name, business name, and the date(s) to cancel.

On-site managers may not monitor email during events. Use phone/text for urgent updates.

6. Enforcement

• Vendors who do not follow this policy may be denied future bookings.
• Multiple no-shows may result in cancellation of upcoming dates without refund or credit.

7. Contact

• Questions: team@asburyfresh.com
• Urgent within 24 hours of event: Text/Call 732-481-4691

Vendor Code of Conduct

Purpose

This Code of Conduct exists to ensure a positive, respectful, and professional environment for everyone involved. Vendors are expected to act courteously toward customers, fellow vendors, and event staff. The goal is to create a thriving marketplace experience that benefits both vendors and shoppers through cooperation and mutual respect.

Vendor Expectations

As a participating vendor, I agree to:

• Follow all event rules and guidelines provided by the event organizer or marketplace.
• Act with honesty and integrity in all business interactions.
• Treat everyone with respect. Bullying, gossip, rude, aggressive, uncooperative, or disrespectful behavior toward anyone at the event will not be tolerated.
• Avoid deceptive or exploitative practices, including misrepresenting products or event details.
• Begin breakdown and pack-up only after the official event closing time, unless specifically authorized by event management.

Issue Resolution

Vendors are encouraged to communicate directly and privately with event organizers or staff regarding any concerns or conflicts that arise during events.

Compliance

Compliance with this Code of Conduct is mandatory. Vendors who violate the code or engage in inappropriate behavior may be removed from events or denied future participation without refund.

Acknowledgment

By applying for, booking, or participating in events, vendors acknowledge and agree to follow this Code of Conduct, the applicable Vendor Guidelines, and the Cancellation & Refund Policy.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to support local businesses and foster community connections through pop-up markets and events that celebrate creativity, craftsmanship, and local entrepreneurship.

We’re so excited for you to join us for our next Matawan Fresh Market!

First things first, and this is very important: Please save 732-481-4691 in your phone as Fresh Markets. If you need to cancel within 24 hours of a market date, including the morning of, you must text that number with your name, business name, and the date(s) you need to cancel. 

Market Managers do not receive emails while on site, so texting is the only way to ensure your message is received. If you do not show up on the day of the market, your absence will be noted as failure to follow our cancellation policy and therefore will not be scheduled for future dates. 

The event will go on rain or shine. We do not offer rescheduling or refunds for last-minute cancellations. Please review our cancellation policy on your vendor dashboard if you have any questions.

Food Vendors: Board of Health

• All food and beverage vendors must be approved by the Board of Health before participating in our markets. For more information, check the BOH section in the dropdown menu on the left side of your vendor dashboard. 
• Instructions and application info can be found on your vendor dashboard: asburyfresh.com/dashboard

Load in info [please read this carefully]

Matawan Fresh is located at the Matawan Municipal Complex, 201 Broad St Matawan, NJ 

• Load-in is from 8:30 am - 9:30 am. Please park your car at the event location and locate the market manager, who will show you your space. *If you arrive early, please wait until the market manager has completed setting up
• Once your spot is assigned, you can unload your vehicle. Please park your car across the street before you begin your set up.
• If you are not on-site by 9:30 am, our market manager may reassign your assigned space. We do this to avoid gaps in the setup.
•  If you arrive after 9:40 am, you may not be permitted to set up, reschedule, or receive a refund.
• The market begins promptly at 10 am. You must complete your set-up by that time.

‼️If you are running late due to an emergency, traffic, etc you must text the Fresh Markets # so we are aware that you still plan on coming or can no longer make it. 

Parking Information, aka “Where do I park?”:

You can park at the municipal lot where the event is taking place. 

Breakdown Time is 2 pm [please read this carefully]

All vendors must remain at their spot with their display intact until 2 pm. Early breakdown and slow packing are not permitted.  Your vendor agreement specifies clear breakdown times. Packing up early disrupts the experience for shoppers and vendors alike. 

Many vendors see significant sales in the final hours, and early departures can discourage last-minute sales. We know - it’s a long day! If you’re feeling tired or restless, take a walk, explore, and meet your fellow vendors—you never know what kind of connections (and friendships) you might make. 

Please note: If you have an emergency and need to leave early, please see the Market Manager first so they can notify vendors in your area.

All About Your Vendor Space + Dos/Donts

Your space for Matawan Fresh is 10x10 and will be located on the lawn surrounding the municipal lot. 

What should I bring? A tent (10x10 or smaller. Larger tents will not fit in your space). You must bring your own table, chairs, table cloths, banners, etc. 

‼️Every tent leg must have at least 50 lbs of weight attached—no exceptions. Even on sunny, calm days, unexpected gusts can cause serious safety hazards. From experience, we know that 10, 20 or even 40 lbs can not be enough. For additional weight, if you have a heavy bin or cart, bungee it to your frame for added support. 

‼️No proper weights = no setup (and no refunds). Tents and proper weights are not optional; they are a requirement to participate in outdoor markets.

‼️We recommend having a cart and bungee cords to transport your belongings from your car to your spot.

What Can’t I Bring? No large retractable banners and/or flags are permitted. If you have confusion on what you can/can’t bring, please email team@asburyfresh.com in advance. We can help!

FAQs:

Electricity: There is no electricity on site. If you need electricity, we recommend using a portable electric generator. Gas generators are loud and cause fumes, so if you need to bring a gas generator on site, please email team@asburyfresh.com so we can place you strategically. 

Facilities: There are no indoor bathrooms on site. There will be a portable bathroom. 

Making Sales: Creating a balanced market is very important to us—you may only sell items that were pre-approved on your application. Want to add new products? Email team@asburyfresh.com at least 2 days before the market to request approval. Selling unapproved items without permission may result in removal from the market. 

Food and Snacks: Matawan has a few food spots in the area, so we recommend grabbing coffee/meals/snacks etc before arriving on site. You can also grab food/snacks from our food vendors (highly recommended!)

Marketing & Promotion 

Markets grow when we all spread the word!

• Please Like & Share our posts on Instagram and Facebook.
• On market day, tag @asburysfresh & @matawanfreshnj in your Instagram Stories—we’ll re-share to (over 40K+ followers combined!)
•  Vendors only: Join our private Instagram for first access to new pop-ups, updates & more: @freshmarketsfinsta

Please feel free to contact team@asburyfresh.com if you have any additional questions!   

We can’t wait to see you there! 

All food vendors MUST get approval from the Monmouth County Board of Health to sell at our markets.

If you are planning on signing up with us at ANY of our Matawan Markets, then just add a note stating this to the top of the right corner of the application. There is currently no fee for board of health permits in Matawan.

Even if you are an already approved food vendor for previous years, you still have to fill out these applications again for the new year.

Please note that you must submit these applications 7 days prior to the first market date you plan on selling at.

Here is what you’ll need to do in order to sell produce, food & baked goods at Matawan Fresh.

1. Download the Monmouth County Board of Health application:
   Farmers Market Application (You typically will want to use this)
   Food Event Application (Use this ONLY for our specialty 1x month food event)
2. Complete Monmouth County Board of Health application and email to the Health Inspector Matthew Wysokinski at Matthew.Wysokinski@co.monmouth.nj.us

Be sure to bring a copy of the application to the market.