Is This a Fit?
Milk Lady Markets is a curated farmers market network built around local farms, handmade goods, and transparent sourcing.
Before applying, please review the criteria below to make sure our markets are the right fit for your business.
2026 Market Applications Now Open – Early Bird
Applications for the 2026 Derwood and Shady Grove markets are now open. The Early Bird period runs through Thursday, January 15, and is limited to full-time, weekly vendors, rotating food trucks at the Shady Grove market, Young Entrepreneurs, and grandfathered alternating vendors with more than three consecutive years of participation. Returning vendors receive 50% off application fees during Early Bird. Additional application phases will be announced.
This is likely a good fit if you:
- Produce or make your products yourself
- Operate from a licensed, inspected kitchen (for food vendors) or personally handcraft your goods (for craft vendors)
- Source your primary ingredients locally or through direct relationships with farms or producers
- Value clear rules, consistent standards, and community-centered markets
This is not a fit if you:
- Operate under the Maryland Cottage Food Law
- Source primary ingredients from grocery stores or national distributors
- Sell resale, mass-produced, imported, MLM, cosmetic, or supplement products
- Are looking for flexible exceptions to established market policies
Ingredients
We look for on-site food makers using simple ingredients, and we do not allow mainstream soft drinks made with artificial additives. Milk Lady Markets prioritizes food makers, including smoothie makers, bakers, and chocolatiers, who use recognizable ...
Milk Lady Markets applies the same standards to all vendors to ensure fairness, transparency, and a strong experience for customers, farmers, and makers alike. If this sounds like a good fit, we’d be glad to review your application.
Thank you for your interest in participating in farmers’ markets operated by Milk Lady Markets. We manage the Derwood, Gunpowder, Fulton, Shady Grove, and Wheaton markets.
First-Time Vendors
If you are applying to Milk Lady Markets for the first time, please carefully review the Farmers Market Guidelines and the Vendor Meeting Video below before applying. These materials fully explain our standards, expectations, and operating procedures.
First-time applications must be submitted with all required documentation. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Returning Vendors
Returning vendors are expected to be familiar with Milk Lady Markets’ policies and procedures. Before applying, please review any updated guidelines or materials provided for the current season.
Applications must be submitted in full, with all required documentation. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Fees
There’s no registration fee until you’re accepted.
Registration fees are $50 for returning vendors before January 16, and $100 thereafter, and $100 for all new vendors. A single registration fee applies regardless of the number of Milk Lady Markets you are accepted into.
The space fee is $35 per day, billed monthly in advance. Monthly invoices are due by the 24th of the month prior. Vendors who habitually pay late are subject to a late fee of $25 per week, or part thereof, for each week the late payment runs past the 24th.
At the Wheaton market, the Montgomery County Parks Department charges vendors $50 per month (or any part of a month). This fee is set by the County and collected in your invoice by Milk Lady Markets.
Upon acceptance, vendors are invoiced for the applicable registration fee and the first month’s market fee. Payment is due on receipt of acceptance. All fees are non-refundable.
Food Vendors
Vendors must have a Food Handling certificate, operate from a licensed, inspected kitchen (commercial or approved home kitchen where permitted; Maryland Cottage Food operations are not accepted), provide current inspection documentation, and source their primary ingredients locally rather than from grocery stores.
Food Truck Operators
Before you apply, first select your dates in the scheduler, then enter them in your application.
Craft Vendors
Milk Lady Markets welcomes vendors who personally create the items they sell. Only truly handmade goods are accepted—resale, mass-produced, imported, cosmetic, supplement, or MLM products are not permitted.
Tents & Weights
Vendors are responsible for providing all necessary equipment, including a canopy tent and tables.
A canopy is required for all vendors. Only 10’ x 10’ straight-legged tents are permitted. Tents measuring 12’ x 12’ or larger are not allowed without prior written approval.
Each leg of your canopy must be secured with a minimum of 25lbs of weight, firmly attached to the tent leg, and resting on the ground.
Signage & Booth Display
Vendors are required to display a banner or sign measuring at least 3’ x 5’ with their farm or business name clearly visible.
- Your business name should occupy approximately 40+% of the sign area to ensure visibility across the market.
- If helpful, we can share photo examples of effective banners upon request.
- We are happy to share our local market sign maker: Kamran, 240-408-2288.
Vendors who arrive without required equipment or signage may be asked to adjust their setup or may be unable to vend that day.
Booth Display
We encourage vendors to create a booth setup that feels abundant, well-organized, and visually inviting.
- Use varying display heights to add dimension
- Avoid clutter or flat, one-dimensional layouts
- Aim for one clear focal point rather than many competing elements
Setup Times & Arrival Policy
Vendor setup windows by market:
- Derwood Market: 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
- Shady Grove Market: 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
- Wheaton Market: 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Vendors must arrive and set up within the designated setup window for their market.
On your first market day, please arrive at least 90 minutes before the market opens to confirm your space assignment. This process typically takes 15–20 minutes and helps ensure a smooth setup. Early arrival is strongly recommended.
Space Assignments & Late Arrival
Market setup is coordinated to allow for safe vehicle flow, consistent spacing, and a balanced market layout. Setup timing is not determined by how quickly an individual vendor can unload.
Seasonal vendors are assigned a space for the season. Assigned spaces are held until 45 minutes before the market opens.
To maintain market flow and avoid disruptions:
- Vendors arriving after this cutoff will not be permitted to drive into the market area.
- Late vendors must unload from the market entry and carry goods to their space.
The goal is a complete, uninterrupted market presentation with no gaps or empty spaces.
Communication & Repeated Late Arrivals
Vendors who anticipate a delay should call the market manager in advance. If the assigned space remains accessible, we will make reasonable efforts to accommodate.
Vendors who are frequently late or whose arrival disrupts market operations may be reassigned to a location less sensitive to setup timing.
Vacation & Schedule Policies
Milk Lady Markets values vendor participation and recognizes that time away is sometimes necessary. To support reliable market operations for everyone, the following policies apply to vacation requests, schedule changes, and absences.
Vacation Requests & Planned Schedule Changes
Vendors are expected to plan ahead and, when possible, arrange coverage for their booth.
- Schedule change requests must be submitted through your application profile.
- Requests for the upcoming month must be submitted by the 15th of the current month.
- Fees for the upcoming month are due by the 24th of the current month.
- Refunds are not offered. Approved schedule changes may receive a credit as outlined below.
Credits & Fees for Schedule Changes
- Requests submitted by the 15th of the prior month and approved will receive a credit.
- Requests submitted after the 15th that are approved will incur a $20 administrative fee.
- Refunds are not available under any circumstances.
Emergencies
We understand that emergencies occur.
- Each vendor is allowed one emergency absence per season.
- Emergency absences do not qualify for a credit.
- Repeated last-minute absences may result in loss of your assigned vendor space to ensure overall market reliability.
No-Shows
Vendors who do not notify the market and fail to appear for a scheduled market day will be removed from the market for the remainder of the season.
Milk Lady Markets applies these policies consistently to maintain a balanced, dependable market experience for customers, vendors, and staff. Thank you for your cooperation and professionalism.
Tax ID Number or EIN
Most vendors provide a Tax Iden fica on Number (EIN) on their applica on. A Social Security number may also be used if you do not have an EIN.
If you need to obtain an EIN, you can do so immediately and at no cost through the IRS website
Privacy note: Tax ID and Social Security numbers are used only for administra ve and compliance purposes and are not shared beyond what is legally required.
Liability Insurance Requirement
If you sell food, skin care, farm products, candles, or glass items, you must carry liability insurance at the required levels before vending.
Insurance Policy: All food vendors, farmers, skin care product vendors, and any vendors selling poten ally hazardous items (such as glass, candles) are required to carry liability insurance with the following minimum coverage:
• $1,000,000 per occurrence, and
• $2,000,000 aggregate (umbrella) coverage
Vendors are ...
Insurance Resources
Market vendors commonly use the following providers:
• Farmers Market Coalition
Offers affordable liability insurance plans for vendors.
Contact: Larry Spilker
Phone: 800-730-7475 ext. 203
Email: [email protected]
• Food Liability Insurance Program (FLIP) hps://www.fliprogram.com
• Bundled Coverage Options
Your home, rental, or auto insurance provider may be able to offer competitive rates by bundling an additional policy.
Smoking & Vaping
Smoking and vaping are prohibited in vendor tents and within 50 feet of any market area. In accordance with NCI and Johns Hopkins University campus policies, Milk Lady Markets enforces a smokefree environment on market sites during all market hours. Vendors who leave the premises to smoke must wash their hands thoroughly before returning to the market.
Apply Here
Apply Here
If you agree with the guidelines above, Apply here.