Growers & Artisans Agreement

Welcome to Living Well Farmers Market
Thank you for your interest in becoming part of Living Well Farmers Market (“The Market”).

We are excited to partner with you in providing healthy, sustainable foods and products to our community. To keep everything running smoothly, we’ve created these simple guidelines.

Please read carefully before submitting your application. If approved, use these as your guide as a Grower/Artisan.

Guidelines for Participation

• Farms and farm products must be produced within a 200-mile radius of our Suwanee, GA location.

• All vendors must focus on sustainable production of local foods.

• We are a GMO-Free Market — no GMO ingredients or animals raised on GMO feed are allowed.

• You must sign a Non-GMO pledge as part of your participation.

• For processed foods, use local ingredients whenever possible. Some non-local ingredients may not be permitted.

Fruit and Vegetable Production

• Synthetic chemical free — no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Land treated with chemicals must remain free of use for three years before producing for the Market.

• Certification is not required, but we encourage following organic or Certified Naturally Grown practices.

• No produce grown from GMO seeds is allowed.

• All products sold must be grown on your own farm.

• Wild-harvested products may be accepted if gathered legally — please confirm with us first.

Processed Foods

• State law requires that processed foods have the appropriate licenses.

• The Cottage Food License allows production of specific non-hazardous foods in home kitchens. Examples include:

  • Loaf breads, rolls, and biscuits

  • Cakes, pastries, and cookies

  • Candies and confections

  • Fruit pies

  • Jams, jellies, and preserves

  • Dried fruits

  • Dry herbs, seasonings, and mixes

  • Cereal, trail mix, and granola

Baked Goods Ingredients
These ingredients are not allowed:

• Refined white sugar

• High fructose corn syrup

• White (bleached) flour

• Refined or hydrogenated vegetable oils

• Margarine

• MSG

• Hydrolyzed vegetable protein

• Artificial flavorings or colorings

• Aspartame

We encourage the use of unrefined or minimally processed sweeteners, such as:

• Organic cane sugar

• Raw cane sugar

• Sucanat

• Turbinado

• Honey

• Maple syrup

Certified Kitchens

• All processed foods must be prepared in a licensed certified kitchen and properly labeled.

• Requirements may include a 3-basin sink, mop sink, and hand washing sink.

• Certified kitchens are regulated through the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

• Items accepted under the Cottage Food License are exempt.

• Please submit your certified kitchen address or Cottage Food License number.

Ingredient Standards

• Absolutely no GMO ingredients are allowed.

• Local and organic ingredients are encouraged wherever possible.

• Organic ingredients must be used for flavored breads (e.g., blueberry muffins, pumpkin bread).

• Artisan breads are not required to use local or organic grains (though encouraged).

• Standards may be updated — feedback is welcome.

Ground Grain
Vendors milling corn, wheat, rye, or other grains must obtain a Milled Products License from the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

Animal Products

Eggs

• Must have a state candling license from the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

• Proper refrigeration during transport is required.

• Producers must keep layers on pasture, moved regularly to fresh grass.

• Feed must be Non-GMO and soy-free.

• Organic grains are not required at this time.

Packaged Meats

• Must comply with all regulations. Contact the Georgia Department of Agriculture for details.

Live Plant Sales
Live plants require a plant license through the Georgia Department of Agriculture.