Food Policy

Food Product Policy (fast foods, canned foods, preserves and baked goods)

Our philosophy is not only to provide foods that contain whole organic and local ingredients, but to clearly inform our customers exactly what they are buying. The following guidelines have been drawn up for vendors:

1. All food products are to meet the Capital Regional District Health regulations. Vendors are required to read and adhere to VIHA regulations as set out in the "Guidelines for the Operation and Sale of Home Prepared Foods at Temporary Food Markets" and a copy of VIHA approval (If needed - For high risk products) must be presented with the vendor application to sell at the Market.

2. The on-site preparation of foods or the operation of a food stand will not be permitted unless the stand is VIHA approval.

3. We encourage the use of organic, unrefined, locally grown ingredients whenever possible.

4. Food products are to be clearly and accurately labelled as to ingredients (in order of predominance), common product name, quantity, date of preparation and name and address of the producer. You may label each item or have labels clearly displayed on your table beside the appropriate food items.

5. Each food product must be reviewed and approved by the Market coordinator and 2 board members prior to being available for sale.

6. All open prepared food must be kept covered at all times and served using appropriate clean tools (e.g. Napkins, tongs).

7. Vendors handling cash must clean their hands before touching open prepared food.

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Please read and sign the Food Labelling Guidelines before applying

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Download the document here.

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Once signed (digitally or on paper), please email it to thesookecountrymarket@gmail.com ​

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Sale of Products

1. The board of Directors, to encourage a direct relationship between the producer and the consumer, requires that all products offered for sale are sold by the producer. Possible exceptions are: sharing of tables by two or more producers, e.g. a vendor selling for another producer who doesn't have enough produce to warrant a table. 75% of the material at the vendor's table must be produced by the selling vendor. Products not produced by the vendors must be labelled as such.

2. All products must be produced locally. Preference will be given to vendors in the Sooke and JDF electoral district.

3. Those products that MAY be sold (but not exclusive to) the following: fruits, vegetables, plants, flowers, food products and original crafts.

4. Those products that may not be sold include (but not exclusive to) the following: used or second hand material, including antiques, commercial products for resale. All food products must conform to current VIHA regulations. The current VIHA pamphlets on the kind of home prepared foods allowed and not allowed is available from the market coordinator. All baked/prepared foods must be covered or sealed and the list of their ingredients available to the customers. Vendors with VIHA approved commercial kitchens must follow the regulations regarding the display and sale of their food products.

5. The onsite preparation of food or the operation of a food stand will not be permitted unless the vendor has a VIHA approved food stand.

6. Provincial and Capital Regional District Health Regulations will apply to all produce and food products permitted to be sold and all vendors shall immediately cease to sell and remove any product upon the request of an official or representative of the VIHA health unit or by the Board of Directors or its agent

7. The decisions as to the suitability of a product for sale at the market shall be at the discretion of the Board of Directors

8. In the event of the suitability of a product for sale during the course of the Market, if at least three Directors are present, their consensual decision as to the suitability shall be binding. If at least three directors are not present, then the Market coordinator's decision will stand until the Board makes a decision.

9. Where the decision of the suitability of a product for sale has been made by three directors, that decision may be appealed by either the selling vendor or another vendor to the full Board of Directors at its next meeting.

10. Each vendor shall, where required, obtain a Social Services Sales tax and GST registration number and shall be responsible for the collection and remittance of any PST or GST and shall provide proof of their numbers to any director upon request.

11. Persons conducting a storefront operation (exclusive of a home based business) shall not be permitted to sell from the market.

12. Guidelines for the participation in special events (e.g. Christmas Craft show) are at the discretion of the organizing committee and will be provided.

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General Conduct

1. Vendors are responsible for keeping the stall space and surrounding area clean and tidy at all times and for clearing up any litter from around their stall at the end of each market.

2. No dogs or other animals will be permitted at the market except under the vendor's control and shall be contained within their space.

3. There shall be no hawking, accosting or badgering of the members of the public.

4. The Board of Directors in their absolute discretion may prohibit any person from renting stall space and may require persons to leave the market in the event that the person fails to or refuses to abide by the rules and regulations or decisions of the Board of Directors.

5. ​Groups promoting political issues or religious perspective are not considered educational/community groups and are not permitted at the market.​​​​