How it works:
- Each week you will post available products and specify the dollar amount you want to receive for each item.
- Retail customers will see a price that is 16% higher than your base price. This 16% uplift will cover the bare bones of software fees, transportation, and operating costs.
- Wholesale customers will see a price that includes a 12% uplift.
- The Food Hub retains 3% of your sales to cover basic administrative costs.
- Our software will generate a pick list for you when ordering closings. You’ll bring those products to your nearest aggregation site within a designated drop-off window.
- After all the producers have dropped off, boxes are packed for inter-island transport.
- Food Hub personnel assemble customer orders and host curbside pick-ups on Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan.
Below are steps needed to sell in SJIFH:
Step 1
Read the Market Manual, review the forms, and prepare to print, complete, and return them by scan or mail when requested. Note that producers from outside San Juan County will be invited to apply as non-voting members with a different fee structure.
Step 2
Click APPLICATION below and provide basic producer background information.
Step 3
SJIFH Board reviews your application and makes a decision on approval.
Step 4
When approved, you will be invited to submit completed forms from the Market Manual and pay your one-time purchase of membership stock or non-voting member fee. All documents must be on file with SJIFH before we can activate your account.
Checklist for New Applicants
To participate in the San Juan Islands Food Hub, a producer must:
- Sign and return the Equity Agreement with $250 one-time purchase of one share of stock (out of county non-voting members pay $100 and sign this form)
- Sign and return Producer Commitment
- Provide copies of the applicant’s Master Business License and any required Specialty Licenses, as per the WSDA Small Farm and Direct Marketing Handbook
- Print, sign, and return a W-9 form for the current year
- Provide proof of insurance for a $1M liability policy listing the SJI Food Hub as additional insured: San Juan Islands Food Hub, P.O. Box 1945, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. Tel: (503) 922-1492. Ask about the farmers market vendor insurance.
- Provide a Direct Deposit Form
- Submit proof of any required and/or relevant certifications such as Produce Safety Alliance (required for all produce growers), nursery, dairy, egg handling, GAP, and organic. Please reference the market manual for more information on what’s required. If you need to acquire Produce Safety Alliance training, the Food Hub is able to reimburse members to attend.
- Value-added producers selling wholesale through the Food Hub must provide a copy of their WSDA Food Processor License or Cottage Food Permit. Value-added producers wishing to sell retail should contact SJC Environmental Health Specialist Kirk Sato, SJC Department of Health and Community Services at (360) 370-7507 or kirks@sanjuanco.com to determine if they qualify for value-added production under an SJC Temporary Food Establishment Permit.
Step 5
The Market Manager will send you an email invitation to create a password and log into your new Local Food Marketplace Producer Account. (The login link is always available in the dropdown menu under “I Want To Sell”.)
Step 6
The Market Manager will meet with you for a tutorial on the market cycle and use of Local Food Marketplace software.
Once we have received all of your documents and have tested your product set-up, you’ll be ready to sell in the next week’s market.