Starting a Farmers' Market in New York City: City Permitting Overview
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Starting a Farmers’ Market in New York City: City Permitting
Overview
This document provides an overview of the necessary steps as well as suggested considerations and resources
for starting a farmers’ market on municipal land. Steps include obtaining a permit, sorting out transportation
logistics, and incorporating healthy food access programs.
I. To obtain a permit to start a farmers’ market on municipal land, first determine which agency your
market must be permitted with, which is based on location.
o If the proposed farmer’s market site is on a street, sidewalk or pedestrian plaza, see Section 1
for information about obtaining a permit with the Street Activity Permit Office.
o If your proposed farmer’s market site is on or adjacent to City Parks Department land or within
a GreenThumb community garden, see Section 2 for information about obtaining a permit with
Department of Parks and Recreation.
If you cannot identify which agency has jurisdiction over the proposed site of your
farmer’s market, you may contact the appropriate City Planning Borough Office for
assistance. Contact details for each borough office can be found here:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/about/location.shtml
II. For inquiries regarding reserved parking signage, contact the Department of Transportation. (For more
information, see Section 3)
III. Additional information regarding suggested considerations and resources for farmers’ markets in New
York City is provided in Section 4.
*Please note that it takes approximately 30 – 90 days from the date that the application was submitted
to receive approval. Applications, however, should be filed as soon as possible to allow for additional
processing time which may be required by the Street Activity Permit Office or the Department of Parks
and Recreation.
Section 1. Permit Process: Mayor’s Street Activity Permit Office (SAPO)
A street activity permit must be obtained from SAPO to operate a farmers’ market on a City-owned street,
sidewalk or pedestrian plaza. SAPO defines a farmers’ market as open-air markets where products are grown,
raised, caught, baked, etc. locally and are available to the general public for purchase. In order to obtain a
SAPO permit, applicants should complete a SAPO application and submit it 90 days prior to the event date
(i.e., the first day the farmers market will be open). There is a one-time $25 processing fee ($25.75 online).
Applications may be submitted online or manually:
1. Submission of Online Application
To apply for a SAPO permit online, the applicant must first enroll in e-apply by clicking the following
link: https://nyceventpermits.nyc.gov/cems/Login.aspx
Create an account and complete the registration enrollment form.
Choose the type of event you would like to apply for (i.e. Farmers’ Market).
Fill out the entire questionnaire with as much detail as possible (attach documents if necessary),
and pay processing fee ($25.75) by credit card.
Once the processing fee is paid, the application is electronically transmitted directly to SAPO and
the appropriate community board.
1Submission of Paper Application:
Paper applications may be obtained at SAPO, located at 100 Gold St, 2 nd floor, NY, NY 10038.
Paper applications may be hand delivered or mailed with a money order for $25.
Applications that are hand delivered or mailed to SAPO will be delivered to the appropriate
community board by SAPO.
2. Community Board Process
Applicants are responsible for following-up with SAPO and the community board to verify the submission
of their application. Application approval obligates adherence to all requirements and guidelines of the
local community board. More information about local community boards and their contact information
can be found here: http://www.nyc.gov/html/cau/html/cb/cb.shtml. The local Community Board shall
recommend approval or denial of a farmers’ market application. Application denials by the Community
Board may be appealed to SAPO. More information on SAPO and community board permitting rules,
including the community board denial appeals process, can be found here:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/cecm/downloads/pdf/sapo_rules.pdf
3. Fees
If the intended market will be located within a Community Block Development Grant (CBDG) eligible area,
there will be no daily operating fee. For those markets outside of these areas, a fee of $15 per day will be
assessed. To check CBDG eligibility (Indicated in the “CD Eligibility” Field), visit:
http://gis.nyc.gov/dcp/at/f1.jsp. If the market is CBDG eligible, the applicant is responsible to present
qualifying proof to SAPO, and the daily fee will be waived. Qualifying proof includes a printed copy of
location-specific CBDG eligibility (see previously listed web address), which may be: mailed to 100 Gold St,
2nd floor, NY, NY 10038; faxed to (212)-788-7887; or scanned and submitted as an electronic attachment
with the online application. SAPO may require additional documents prior to issuing a permit.
For information or questions on SAPO farmers’ markets permit process call 212-788-7657 or contact
Christie Huus at CHuus@cityhall.nyc.gov.
Section 2. Permit Process: Department of Parks and Recreation
A farmers’ market permit must be obtained from the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation if the market
will operate: (1) on or adjacent to City Parks Department land or (2) within a GreenThumb community
garden. Markets located on or adjacent to City Parks Department lands that also fall in a Community
Development Block Grant Area (CDBG) must obtain a specific CDBG farmers’ market permit.
1. Farmers’ Markets Located On or Adjacent to Parks Department Land
Farmers’ markets on or adjacent to Parks Department land must obtain proper permits to do so. The
permit process depends on whether or not the market will be located within a CDBG area. To determine
whether a market falls in a CDBG census tract (Indicated in the “CD Eligibility” Field), visit
http://gis.nyc.gov/dcp/at/f1.jsp.
If the farmers’ market will fall in a CDBG area, complete a farmers’ market application available at
http://www.nycgovparks.org/ (click the services link view all park permits Farmers’ Market
Permits). Daily permit fees are waived for farmers markets operating in these CDBG areas.
If the farmers’ market will not fall in a CDBG tract, fill out the Special Events Permit application
available at http://www.nycgovparks.org/ (click the services link view all park permits Special
Events Permits).
2Applications for markets on or adjacent to Parks Department land (including CDBG and non-CDBG, but not
applicable to GreenThumb applications) should be completed, printed out, and mailed or delivered to the
borough-specific address in which the market will operate (listed below for details). A $25 application fee
must accompany the application. Following submission, the appropriate borough office will contact the
applicant to verify application approval.
Bronx Brooklyn Staten Island
Ranaqua Litchfield Villa Greenbelt Recreation Center
1 Bronx River Parkway Prospect Park 501 Brielle Ave
Bronx, NY 10462 Brooklyn, NY 11215 Staten Island, NY 10314
Manhattan Queens Citywide
Arsenal West, 5th Fl. OFFICE LOCATION (For visitation The Arsenal
24 West 61st Street purposes only) Central Park
New York, NY 10023 Passerelle Building 830 Fifth Avenue
(across from outdoor Tennis New York, NY 10065
Courts)
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
MAILING ADDRESS
Attn: Special Events & Permits
New York City Parks & Recreation
Olmsted Center
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Flushing, NY 11368
Borough-specific information can be obtained by calling one of the following numbers:
Manhattan 212 – 408 - 0226
Brooklyn 718 – 965 - 8912
Queens 718 - 393 - 7272
The Bronx: (Van Cortlandt Park, Pelham Bay 718 - 430 - 1890
Park, and Orchard Beach ONLY)
The Bronx: (All other Bronx parks) 718 - 430 - 1848/1849
Staten Island 718 - 667 - 3545
Citywide Special Events information 212 - 360 - 1319
2. GreenThumb Community Garden Farmers’ Markets
If the farmers’ market will be located in a licensed Parks Department GreenThumb community Garden, a
letter of permission, which will serve as the market permit, must be obtained to operate the market. This
may be acquired by contacting Edie Stone at Edie.Stone@parks.nyc.gov. Information on GreenThumb
community gardens can be found here: http://www.greenthumbnyc.org/gardensearch.html
For additional information on Parks department farmers’ markets, contact Karen Becker, Director of
Government Relations, at 212-360-1386 or Karen.Becker@parks.nyc.gov.
3Section 3. Parking Signage Request Process: Department of Transportation
If reserved parking spaces are sought for the farmers’ market, the market applicant should contact the
appropriate Department of Transportation (DOT) Borough Commissioner’s Office (see below). The applicant
will need to supply the Borough Commissioner’s office with their farmers’ market permit that lists the
approved location and hours of operation. The Borough Commissioner’s Office will then work with
operational units at the DOT to determine whether or not it is feasible to reserve parking in the selected area.
This decision will be based on safety and feasibility and will be determined within approximately two weeks
following request receipt.
1. Obtaining Signage
For reserved parking spaces, the market applicant should contact the appropriate Department of
Transportation (DOT) Borough Commissioner’s Office (contact numbers listed below). The applicant will
need to supply the Borough Commissioner’s office with their farmers’ market permit, showing the
approved location and hours of operation. The Borough Commissioner’s office will then work with
operational units at the DOT to determine whether or not it is feasible to reserve parking in the selected
area. This decision will be based on safety and feasibility and will be determined within approximately two
weeks following request receipt.
Obtaining Signage
If the DOT determines that it is possible to reserve parking spaces and it does not present a safety issue to
provide these spaces for the hours of the farmers’ market, the DOT will request that its sign shop make
these signs. The signs are custom made, and the process should take approximately eight weeks from the
time of sign request to posting. If the DOT determines that it is possible to reserve parking, but the
farmers’ market needs the signs before eight weeks, the farmers’ market operators may contact their local
police precinct to obtain temporary no parking signs.
Borough-specific DOT signage inquiries can be made by calling one of the following Borough
Commissioner’s offices:
Bronx 212-748-6680
Brooklyn 718-222-7259
Lower Manhattan 212-839-7250
Manhattan 212-839-6210
Queens 212-839-2510
Staten Island 212-839-2400
General Questions 212-839-6423
For additional information on the Department of Transportation parking signage process, contact
Jessica Wurwarg at 212-839-6423 or JWurwarg@dot.nyc.gov.
Section 4. Additional Considerations When Starting a Farmers’ Market
Healthy Food Access Programs
New York City promotes healthy food access to all citizens. Accordingly, Market Operators are encouraged to
promote and accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits via the Electronic Benefits
Transfer (EBT) Program as well as Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) fruit and vegetable vouchers.
The Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) program also provides supplementary nutritious food
4vouchers to beneficiaries of WIC or seniors enrolled in the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP).
Additionally, the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene offers two farmers' market-based programs
designed to promote healthy food access for low-income families and nutrition education: Health Bucks and
Stellar Farmers' Markets.
1. Accepting Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Payments: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP, formerly “food stamps”) is the nation’s primary hunger-reduction and nutritional assistance
program. SNAP benefits may be accessed by customers engaged in this program through the Farmers'
Market Wireless EBT Program, provided by the NY State Department of Agriculture and Markets and the
Farmers' Market Federation of New York. This program utilizes EBT cards that function like bank-issued
debit cards; they are operated by swiping the card and providing personal identification numbers at the
point-of-sale terminals of specified locations within farmers’ markets.
The Farmers' Market Wireless EBT Program provides market managers with a wireless EBT terminal, 1000
serialized, market-specific EBT wooden tokens, EBT logs, a vinyl banner to display at the EBT sales booth,
"Tokens Accepted Here" signage for farmer booths, as well as training and technical assistance (free of
charge). In addition, a media kit, with promotional materials in both English and Spanish, is distributed to
help each market promote the availability of the EBT terminal in their market. To find out how to
participate, visit: http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com/work-shop-programs/ebt.html
For additional information on EBT program participation, contact Diane Eggert at
deggert@nyfarmersmarket.com.
2. WIC Fruit and Vegetable Vouchers: New Yorkers receiving WIC fruit and vegetable vouchers may spend
their monthly allocations on fresh farmers’ market produce if the farmers participating in the market have
registered to accept these allocations in advance. For more information on the WIC Fruit and Vegetable
voucher program, go to http://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/nutrition/wic/index.htm
Registration information for farmers may be obtained by contacting Jacqueline Follain at 518-457-
7076.
3. Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program (FMNP): Farmers' Market Nutrition Program provides vouchers to
members of the Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) and to seniors in the Commodity
Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) for the purchase of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables. The
fresh fruits and vegetables can be purchased with checks at farmers' markets during the summer and fall.
The program officially runs from June - November 15 and is accepted by all NYC farmers’ markets. To find
the local WIC or CSFP agency near you, call the Growing Up Healthy Hotline at 1-800-522-5006. Additional
information about the FMNP program can be found here:
http://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/nutrition/fmnp/index.htm
For more information on WIC and CSFP FMNP programs, go to:
WIC: http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/FMNP/FMNPfaqs.htm
CSFP: http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/SeniorFMNP/SFMNPmenu.htm
FMNP is administered through the State Department of Agriculture & Markets. To learn more about
obtaining state FMNP certification, go to http://www.agriculture.ny.gov/ or see p.163-174 of the following
document http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com/NYFM_Training_Manual.pdf
Additional information may be obtained by contacting Bob Lewis at 718-722-2830,
bob.lewis@agmkt.state.ny.us or Jonathan Thomson at 800-554-450,
jonathan.thomson@agmkt.state.ny.us.
54. Health Bucks are $2 coupons that shoppers can redeem for fresh fruits and vegetables at participating
farmers’ markets. Markets that participate in the program are provided with Health Bucks coupons to
distribute to SNAP recipients who use their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) debit card at the farmers’
market. For every $5 spent in SNAP benefits at the market, a $2 Health Bucks coupon is provided to
purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at the market. Participating markets receive Health Bucks coupons,
signage and SNAP/EBT promotional materials. To find out how your market can participate in the Health
Bucks program, please contact: farmersmarket@health.nyc.gov Or go to:
www.nyc.gov/health/farmersmarkets.
5. Stellar Farmers’ Markets provides free nutrition workshops and cooking demonstrations at select farmers’
markets. The goal is to provide low-income New Yorkers with practical, cost-effective tips for eating more
locally-grown fruits and vegetables. To find out if your market is eligible, please contact:
farmersmarket@health.nyc.gov Or go to: www.nyc.gov/health/farmersmarkets
Farmers’ Market Liability Insurance
Farmers’ market operators may wish to obtain liability insurance, and may also require participating farmers
to obtain liability insurance. Market liability insurance provides coverage for your market, the owner of the
property your market is located on, and organizations affiliated with the farmers' market. Market insurance
can be obtained through the Farmers Market Federation of NY and the market insurance provider is Farm
Family Casualty Insurance Company. Market liability insurance typically costs an average of $500-600 per year.
For more information on farmers’ market liability insurance, go to:
http://nyfarmersmarket.com/membership/insurance/market-.html.
For additional information on liability insurance see p.18-20 of the following document
http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com/NYFM_Training_Manual.pdf or contact Diane Eggert at
deggert@nyfarmersmarket.com.
Vendor liability insurance covers farmers— including rural farmers, community gardeners, school gardeners
and urban farmers—who will sell fruit, vegetables, and value added products at farmers' market. An option
for vendor liability insurance which covers farmers as well as any other type of market vendor can be
purchased through The Farmer’s Market Federation of NY. For more information, go to:
http://nyfarmersmarket.com/membership/insurance/vendor.html.
Additional Resources:
Just Food – City Farms Markets Information:
http://justfood.org/city-farms/city-farms-markets
Farmers’ Market Federation of NY:
http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com/
Farmers’ Market Training Manual (Farmers’ Market Federation of NY):
http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com/NYFM_Training_Manual.pdf
Considerations for Selecting Farmers’ Market Locations:
http://www.grownyc.org/files/gmkt/locationsuggestion.pdf
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