Frequently Asked Questions

Below are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about Hyde Park Farmers Market.

What are market hours?

We are open Sundays, 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM.

Hyde Park Farmers’ Market is a summer market. We open the second weekend every May and run through the end of October.

We are NOT open the first Sunday in October each year. The Hyde Park Art Show is on The Square that day.

When does the market open?

Hyde Park Farmers’ Market opens the second weekend of May every year.

What are HPFM’s farmers’ growing practices?

HPFM maintains a very high bar for vender’s acceptance into the market.

We have many USDA Certified Organic farmers (and give preference to this certification). However, regardless of certification status, all of our vendors follow environmentally responsible production practices.

One condition for admission is employ sustainable and humane practices, with no synthetic chemicals or pesticides being used anywhere on the farm.

Our growers’ focus is on cultivating and nourishing healthy soil.

Where do I park?

City of Cincinnati street parking is free on Sundays

What about bad weather?

We’re open rain or shine. Grab your rain boots, bundle up and come see us!

And community safety is a top priority. Should severe weather require any changes to market hours, we will announce these changes on our Facebook and Instagram pages, and on our website.

Can I bring my dog?

We love our furry friends. We just ask that you be responsible for them. All dogs must be on a leash. Clean up after your dog. And please keep them from making a mess on or around a producer’s booth. We also ask that you keep your companion from disturbing any displays.

Do you accept credit/debit cards?

Each producer decides their own payment options. However, all our producers take cash and credit cards.

Do you accept cash?

Absolutely. In fact, with card-processing fees constantly on the rise, this is the preferred method of payment.

How do I use SNAP/EBT and WIC Farmers Market Vouchers at HPFM?

Unfortunately, we do not offer SNAP/EBT and WIC Farmers Market Vouchers at this time.

We are working on this!

How do I use the Ohio Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) at the market?

Our farmers individually take SFMNP dollars for honey and vegetable sales.

Please stop by any farmer at the market to use these dollars.

How can I sell at HPFM?

HPFM is a very popular market. It is also space constrained. We are currently at capacity, but occasionally have a producer opening. For those rare situations, we take applications for new producers between mid-February and April 15th each year.

However, please review these producer qualifications before applying:

HPFM Prioritizes:

  • USDA Certified Organic, sustainable, regional and regenerative growing and production practices
  • Product offering diversity produced within 100 miles of Cincinnati, Ohio
  • Highest quality produce, meats and food products possible.
  • Offerings prepared in a commercial kitchen.

HPFM Requires:

  • Attendance at every market during the season
  • Producers to maintain insurance and follow federal, state and local laws, including proof of required licenses and permits
  • Accurate and timely information reporting, around revenue, product offerings, etc.
  • Participation in building our community

HPFM Does Not Permit:

  • Non-food organizations, such as craft vendors or non-profit organizations
  • Resellers
  • Hydroponic production
  • Glyphosate usage anywhere on the farm

If you are selected, you will hear from us after April 15th.

To learn more about what is required to become a producer and to apply for next season, look here.

How can I play music at HPFM?

Our community loves live music!

We welcome musicians to apply to join us for a market Sunday performance.

Here are some guidelines for performing at HPFM:

  • Musicians must apply and be approved to perform at HPFM.
  • We are not able to pay our weekly performers, but we allow a tip jar (bring your own jar!) and provide a bag of fresh produce at the end of the market as a token of our gratitude.
  • Performers with merchandise are welcome to set up a small table near their performance area.
  • Musicians perform at the east end of Kilgour park on the grass by the flagpole.
  • There are electrical outlets available for your use. Please bring your own equipment and extension cord.
  • HPFM opens for business at 9:30 AM. We encourage our entertainment to start playing around 9:15 AM as our patrons begin to enter the market.
  • If you would like to drive-in your equipment to your performance area, you need to arrive between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM. We cannot have your car in the market space after 8:45 AM.
  • Musicians generally play from until 12:30 or 1:00 PM. Market selling stops at 1:00 PM.
  • Performers have until 2:00 PM to get off The Square. (We pull the barriers on or before 2:00PM.) Your car can only come into the market space after 1:15 PM.
  • By signing up to perform at HPFM, you agree to allow photos and video to be taken at HPFM and/or music played at HPFM to be used for publicity or other purposes at the discretion of HPFM.
  • By signing up to perform at HPFM, you agree that HPFM, LLC (the “Market”) shall not be responsible for any loss, damage or injury to any of your (“the Musician”) property or any loss, damage or injury to the Musician or Musician’s employees, friends or family from any cause whatsoever. Musician hereby agrees to indemnify, save and hold harmless the employees, contractors or volunteers of the Market from and against any and all costs or expenses, including but not limited to legal fees and costs, losses, fees, liabilities, damages, lawsuits and/or deficiencies, whether threatened or actual, resulting from or arising out of any and all actions, omissions or activities of the Musician, its employees, agents, invitees.The Market shall not be liable for any cost, expenses, losses or damage arising out of or related to personal injury, loss of, or damage to Musician’s property or failure to provide space for an exhibit, or failure to hold an event as scheduled.
  • HPFM has never closed because of weather. However, we understand that some musicians are not able to play in wet weather.

Please sign up here.

 

How can my non-profit or other organizations set up a table at the market?

Hyde Park Farmers’ Market is a food-only market.

Because of this—and the large number of requests we receive annually—we do not allow non-profits or other entities to set up booths, tables, chairs in or around the market.

That being said, we have a “free speech” zone in front of the entrance and exit tents on Edwards Ave. We encourage all those who might like to engage with our patrons to hold individual conversations in this area.

Please note: Tables, chairs and booths are not permitted in the Free Speach Zone area either.

What produce is available?

Our market is known as a seasonal “growers’ market.”

Our produce offerings come from local family farms who employ sustainable and humane practices. HPFM you can buy with confidence knowing how and where the food was raised. Selections available each week reflect what’s in-season and at the peak of freshness.

To help you organize your weekly shopping trip, we post a weekly “Fresh This Week” on our website homepage and on our social media pages (Instagram, Facebook). 

Will you have market bags?

As a market, we are evolving away from plastic. Our first step on this more “earth-friendly” journey was to ask our producers to stop handing out single use “t-shirt” bags. Because of this, we encourage all our patrons to bring their own shopping bags to The Square.

However, if you forget your own shopping bag—or you want to clean out your accumulated shopping bag stash—think of using our “Bring a Bag/Take a Bag” program. We welcome and love to share cleaned, gently used bags.

Going forward, you will see more paper and compostable materials around the market. Our philosophy is that if it is not compostable or the City of Cincinnati won’t recycle it, it has no place in our market.

Which vendors offer preorders?

Preorders are a fantastic way to ensure that what you want is waiting for you each Sunday. And we make it easy for you to find our producers who offer preordering. Take a look here.

Which farmers offer CSAs?

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a subscription-based program that enables members to pay in advance to receive a weekly share of a farm’s produce for an entire season. Along with enjoying fresh and delicious local food, being a CSA member is an excellent way to support and get to know your local farmer.

Here is a list of our farmers who offer CSAs.

Can I volunteer at the market?

Yes, please!

We have lots of opportunities for you as a volunteer with our market team. These tasks range from helping to set-up and/or tear-down the market infrastructure to greeting our patrons and answering questions at our main tent. And volunteers can give as much or as little time as they have. We appreciate it all.

Drop us a note if you are interested in becoming a volunteer.

Have a Question Not Addressed Above?

Contact us here and let us know your question.

And thank you for your interest in the Hyde Park Farmers’ Market.