Farmers Market License

Vendors offering consumable goods at an Evanston farmers market are required to obtain a license from the Evanston Health Department. Fresh, uncut, whole, unprocessed fruits, vegetables and raw/unadulterated honey are exempt from licensure or fees described above, with the provision that there is no sampling.

Participating vendors must first register to  become a vendor for the Summer Farmers Market by contacting the event organizer, Katherine Horwitz Martinez, at khorwitzmartinez@cityofevanston.org. Proof of regsitration is requiured as part of the Summer Farmers Market License Applciation.   

HEALTH DEPARTMENT LICENSING

Farmers Market License fee: $150.00 (Per Season)   $75.00 eggs only (Per Season) 
Fees are waived for Evanston Licensed Food Establishments. Please note, Evanston Cottage Food and other Evanston Vendors are not exempt from Farmers Market Fees. 

Application Submission Deadline for the Evanston Summer Farmers Market License Application is March 20, 2026

Please allow ten (10) business days for the review process. If an application is received forty-eight (48) hours prior to the event, a thirty dollar ($30.00) late fee will be added.

CONTACT: hhslicensing@cityofevanston.org or call 847-859-7676

Evanston Summer Farmers Market LICENSE APPLICATION LINK

New for 2023:  In compliance with IDPH we ask that those sampling or preparing food onsite submit a Farmers Market Food Product Sampling Handler Certificate.

Per IDPH: Farmers Market Food Product Sampling Handler Certificate is required to sample your food product at a Farmers Market, without having to get a separate license from the local health department (applies to samples only). The Farmers Market Food Product Sampling Handler Certificate is required for all persons who engage in performing tasks such as unpacking, cutting, slicing, preparing or distributing food product samples. Certificates are not transferrable between individuals and are valid for 3 years from issue date.

For IDPH Guidelines go to: Illinois Farmers Market Guide

If you wish to sell home baked goods at farmers markets in Illinois, an Evanston resident may register with the Evanston Health Department as a Cottage Food Vendor.  

Bake Sales as Fundraisers at Farmers Markets

Non-potentially hazardous foods such as cookies, cakes and fruit pies, which have not frequently been associated with foodborne illness, may be prepared in non-inspected kitchens provided the products are sold or distributed on an occasional basis (e.g., a fundraiser for a non-profit organization) and not a routine business.  It is strongly recommended, however, that this preparation take place in a controlled environment such as a club or church kitchen or licensed food establishment.

Helpful Info: Illinois Department of Agriculture - Farmer's Market