If you are a farmer, prepared goods vendor, or artist working in Central Illinois and are looking for a way to share the fruits of your labor with the community, we invite you to consider participating in the Downtown Bloomington Farmers’ Market!

The Downtown Bloomington Farmers’ Market is a producer-only market where reselling is prohibited.

Join us for the 2025 outdoor season of Downtown Bloomington Farmers’ Market.
Applications open on February 1st and close on March 1st. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. 

Links to guidelines and registration forms are provided below.

If you have questions or would like to be added to our email list, please e-mail:
hhorn@cityblm.org or tkern@cityblm.org call: (309) 434-2295

Rules, Guidelines, and Resources

• 2025 Vendor Policies revised on January 10, 2025
• McLean County Health Department Guidelines
• Downtown Bloomington Farmers' Market Currency Guidelines
• FSMA Food Safety Modernization Act
• McLean County Health Department Cottage Foods Guidelines for Farmers’ Markets
• 2025 Community Group Guidelines (bake sales, community information booths, children's activities)
• 2025 Vendor Meeting PowerPoint
• Vendor Guide of How to Apply Through Manage My Market

Approved Vendors Next Steps

All vendors who receive an acceptance email to be a vendor with the Downtown Bloomington Farmers' Market will be required to submit a Vendor Self Service application through the City of Bloomington.  This VSS (Vendor Self Service) application is in place to allow vendors to accept tokens at the market for Credit/Debit and Link (if applicable). The VSS application and information can be found here. 

Music at the Market

Our goal at the market is to gather as much of the community as we can and a huge part of that mission is the atmosphere!  At every market, we host a local musician or music group to accomplish this goal. Varying from jazz, blues, Americana, country, pop, and more we have a ton of local talent joining us at the market every week! 

Apply Here for Music at the Market for the 2025-2026 Season

Community Groups

All those applying as a bake sale, community information booth, or children's activities please see the Community Group Guide above for details on how to apply. Those applying for the bake sale and community information spots in the market must be a non-profit, government agency, or educational institution. Children's Activities can be a local business with a child centric mission but priority will be given to qualified non-profit, charitable, educational, or governmental organizations. 

Apply Here for a Community Group Spot for the 2025 Season

Illinois Department of Agriculture Licensing

If you are selling meat, poultry, dairy, eggs, or pet treats you need to be licensed by IDOA.

• Obtaining a License

Participation in the WIC Program (produce vendors only)

• Guidelines for WIC Participation

Participation in the Senior Program (produce vendors only)

• Call East Central IL Area Agency on Aging: 309.829.2065

Cottage Food Bill Informational Links

• McLean County Health Department Information
• Illinois Stewardship Alliance Cottage Food guide
• Illinois Extension Office Cottage Food Resources

Illinois Business Tax ID Information

• Taxes at Fairs, Festivals, Flea Markets, and Craft Shows : Illinois Business Tax ID
  

Food Safety

• Illinois Farmers Market Food Safety: A Guide for Vendors, Market Managers, and Consumers

Farmers' Market Applications

Only applications filled out online will be accepted, if you require any sort of accommodations please contact the Market Managers by emailing them at farmersmarket@cityblm.org or by calling 309-434-2295. 

Applications for the 2025 Outdoor Season will be open from February 1 to March 1.

Applications for the 2025-2026 Indoor Season open on September 1st and close on October 1st.