FAQ's for Food & Drink Stallholders
Applying:
When can I apply?
Application dates vary depending on the market location. All application opening and closing dates are posted here. You will only be able to apply for the markets within these dates, via the 'Apply Now' links that will be posted under each city, for applications marked Food only. Application forms are now all the same across the markets, you just need to select 'Food & Beverage Stall ' or 'Food Truck' within the form. Our applications for each market are open approximately 4-5 weeks.
How do I apply?
Simply fill out our online application form with all of your details. Have all your images ready of the product/s you intend to sell. Please remember we cannot accept high resolution images so please ensure they are "saved for web" (email friendly) first, to prevent uploading issues. We aim to have a paper-free business, therefore we do not accept applications via post.
What happens when I apply?
Once you complete your application, you will receive TWO (2) forms of confirmation.
Firstly a message will be displayed once you submit your application on our website, which states your application has been successfully sent. During times of high-traffic on the website, there can be slight delays with this part of the process. Please be patient once you've pressed submit, and allow a couple of minutes for your confirmation. Don't click away or hit refresh.
In addition, you will receive an email advising that your application form has been received by us. Sometimes email servers choose to mark our important emails as Spam. Please check your junk mail if you're still waiting to hear from us just in case that's what's happened. If you do not receive a confirmation you are welcome to contact us via markets@thefinderskeepers.com to confirm that your application has been received.
We receive a LOT of applications to process. Please be patient with us; we believe in giving every application a thorough read through and the time that it deserves.
We endeavour to have responded to all applicants two (2) weeks after the applications closing date. During peak times however, it may take longer, sometimes three to four weeks. All results are sent directly to applicants via email, so it is imperative that your supplied email address is current. If you haven't heard from us please be patient. We will be in touch when results are available. We understand that you are keen to find out, however please do not email us to ask as this creates additional workload and only delays us further.
Please note we reply to every application that has been sent. If you have not received an email reply after four (4) weeks of the application closing date, please email us. Again, for this reason, it is vital that all of the contact details on your application form are 100% correct.
Can I get feedback on my application?
Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual feedback on your application results. To get a broader understanding of the criteria our curators use to assess applications, be sure to read the selection criteria above.
Who can apply and what can I sell at the markets?
Ready to eat, Ready to Drink: Food can be prepared either offsite or onsite. Food is served for onsite consumption, including hot food, sweets, smoothies, baked goods etc. Food can be prepared and heated on site - please note: no BBQ, gas or flame-based cooking is permitted in Melbourne and by approval only in Sydney.
Food and Drink Products: Food and Drink are prepared offsite and packed as a take home product, i.e. relishes, chocolates, muesli, tea, bottled juices, non-alcoholic beverages etc.
Liquor Product/s: Liquor products are prepared offsite and packed as a take home product. Liquor products consist of producers, such as winemakers, brewers and distillers.
Food Trucks: A successful application permits the preparation and sale of food on site, including a variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner options and non-alcoholic beverages.
We prefer businesses that are experienced in trading with food at markets or festivals, or a local businesses aiming to connect with new customers.
Things to consider:
RTE stalls that are cooking onsite are required to have protective walling, roof and flooring under their stall to protect the floorboards
All accepted stallholders will need to follow permit requirements as per applicable City
I got in! What next?
If you are a successful applicant, you will be sent an acceptance email. This email will include all of the necessary details regarding payments, and other information.
Once payment is received in full, your participation in the event is considered fully confirmed.
One of the images from your application will be chosen to announce your involvement in the line-up posts through our media channels, and we will also provide you with promotional tips and collateral to help with your own marketing efforts.
As the event date approaches, you will receive several emails containing very important information. This includes such details as stall allocation, floor plans, bump-in and bump-out process and other details. It is a condition of inclusion as a stallholder to the Finders Keepers that you read, understand and comply with the provided information.
What if I have to cancel my application?
If you need to cancel your application before the approval stage, you may email us to let us know and we will remove your application from our database.
Once an offer to participate in the markets is sent cancellation fees begin to apply.
If offered a position you will have 7 days* to accept this offer. If your offer is not accepted by this time it will be withdrawn and offered to a stallholder on the waitlist.
To accept your offer you will be required to pay a 20% deposit. This deposit is non-refundable. Any cancellations made following acceptance of the offer will forfeit the 20% deposit fee.
Should you cancel between 6 weeks and 3 weeks prior to our event, this will result in a forfeiture of 50% of the stall fees paid by the stallholder. If your stall fees have not been paid you will still be liable to pay 50%.
Cancellations occurring less than three weeks prior, stall fees are non-refundable.
Should you choose not to comply with our cancellation terms, your future applications for stalls at the Finders Keepers will not be considered.
Your Stall
How much is a stall and what is included?
Food Stallholders and Food Trucks receive three (3) days stall hire with additional hours of trading pre-event (for stallholders and onsite staff). Please note: Food stall applications do not include any furniture / walls, marquees and display materials. You are required to supply your own set-up or alternatively, you can hire some items through us. Stall prices vary and can be found on the Apply Page under Options & Fees .
Coolrooms, Power (non-inclusive sites) and Power upgrades can also be hired at additional cost.
We provide seating, fencing, security, cleaning and access to electricity and/or water if requested.
Power requests:
Small Power Package: 1 - 2 outlets (10 amps): $155
Medium Power Package: 3 - 5 outlets (a mixture of 10 and 15 amps): $250
Large Power Package: 6 - 10 outlets (a mixture of 10 and 15amps): $330
Things to consider:
There is no GAS allowed onsite
Food Truck / Ready to Eat (RTE) stalls are not permitted to use gas of any kind or any open flames cooking in their truck or marquee
RTE stalls that are cooking onsite are required to have protective walling, roof and flooring under their stall to protect the REB floorboards
What are the trading hours?
All Ready to Eat, Ready to Drink food stalls and trucks must begin trading prior to opening hours in order to cater for our stallholders and crew. We do not offer half days, or only partial bookings. Applications for each market require the following hours of availability for food trucks. Food product stalls are only required to trade during open and close times of the event.
Food & Liquor product stalls also need to close 30 minutes prior to the event closing time to assist with security, fencing, crowd control etc.
The official event hours are:
Friday 3pm – 9pm
Saturday & Sunday 10am – 5pm
However, our stallholders need to eat too! And they sure appreciate it when they can get in before the shopping crowd arrives. As such we allow food stalls to open early to serve the several hundred stallholders at events. As a result food trading hours differ slightly from event hours, see below:
Food trading hours:
Friday: 3pm - 8:30pm
Saturday & Sunday: 9am - 4:30pm
For food trucks there is no opportunity to bump out at the end of any of the market days until the Sunday evening bump out. Please ensure your truck is fully equipped for the 3 days of the event.
What certification do I need?
To qualify for a food stall, you will need:
Sydney
Temporary Food Stall permit with City of Sydney
Food Trucks only - Certificate of Electrical Safety
Public Liability certificate
Melbourne
You will need to be registered with FoodTrader and have an approved Statement of Trade prior to the event. Please see individual application forms for more details.
Food Trucks only - Certificate of Electrical Safety
Public Liability certificate.
Do I need EFTPOS/Credit Card facilities?
YES. It is to be encouraged that stallholders setup systems required to operate as cashless. Two of the most popular payment gateways for stallholders at the market are Square reader and PayPal Here. You can also organise your own mobile EFTPOS facilities via your bank.
Logistics:
Can I trade for one day only?
Stallholders MUST trade for all hours across all opening days, and be available for all the trading times as stated above.
Is there Wi-Fi access?
Unfortunately we are not able to provide internet access to our stallholders. If you require Internet access for your own purposes, we strongly suggest you bring along your own connectivity solution, which you've tested beforehand.
Can I access power at my stall?
A Medium Power package is already included in your stall fees for all RTE and RTD food stall options (food & liquor take-home products stalls excluded) This includes 3 - 5 outlets (a mixture of 10 and 15 amps): usually $250.
Additional fees may apply to Ready to Eat, Ready to Drink and Food Truck stallholders who exceed the inclusive power limit.
Is there refrigeration or cold storage available?
You can organise Cool Room Hire at an additional cost. This can be selected when accepting your position at the market.
Is there access to running water?
We are able to organise access to water under special circumstances. Please email us regarding your requirements.
The Finders Keepers acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of country across Australia, and their connections to community, land and sea. We pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today and everyday.
