Food Vendor Application

Thank you for your interest in participating as a food vendor at the Fried Green Tomato Festival. Our goal is to provide festival attendees with a safe, enjoyable, and diverse food experience while ensuring compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations.

Please review the following guidelines carefully before submitting your application.

 
Eligibility
Food vendors include any vendor offering food or beverages intended for immediate consumption during the festival, including but not limited to:

• Prepared meals and entrees
• Sandwiches and specialty foods
• Fried foods and concessions
• Baked goods and desserts
• Candy and confections
• Coffee, tea, lemonade, and specialty beverages
• Soft drinks and bottled water
• Packaged foods intended for on-site consumption

The Festival Committee reserves the right to limit the number of vendors offering similar menu items to provide a diverse selection for attendees.

Application Requirements
To be considered, food vendors must submit:

• A completed Food Vendor Application
• Full payment of applicable vendor fees
• A complete menu listing all food and beverage items to be sold
• A copy of all required business licenses
• A copy of current liability insurance 
• A copy of any applicable food service permits or certificates

Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Health Department Requirements

• Food vendors are responsible for obtaining all permits required by the Monroe County Health Department and the State of Georgia.
• Vendors must comply with all local, county, and state health regulations, including temporary food service requirements.
• Copies of permits must be available for inspection during the festival.

FOOD PERMITS
Any vendor preparing or serving food must obtain a temporary food permit from the Monroe County Health Department at least two (2) weeks before the festival. This is the sole responsibility of the vendor. Call (478) 993-3081 for more information.

Food permits are $75 for the first day and $20 for each additional day.
All vendors selling food products must check in directly with the Monroe County Health Department to ensure compliance with current regulations.   Vendors are solely responsible for obtaining any required permits or approvals before the festival.

Menu Approval

• Only food and beverage items listed on the approved application may be sold.
• The Festival Committee reserves the right to approve, deny, or limit menu items to avoid duplication and maintain a variety of offerings.
• No substitutions or additions may be made without prior written approval.

Booth Space & Setup

• Standard food BOOTH vendor spaces 12 x12.
• Food vendors are responsible for providing their own:
• Tents or canopies
• Tables and chairs
• Cooking and serving equipment
• Fire extinguishers
• Extension cords and hoses, if approved
• Handwashing stations, when required
• Trash receptacles for their booth area
• All equipment must fit within the assigned space.

Food Truck Requirements

Food trucks are welcome to apply and are subject to all festival rules, regulations, and applicable health and safety requirements.

In addition to the general Food Vendor Guidelines, food truck operators must comply with the following:

• Vehicle Information
• Food truck applicants must provide the following information with their application:
  • Business name
  • Contact information
  • Vehicle make, model, and overall dimensions (including tow vehicles, trailers, awnings, and serving windows)
  • Electrical requirements, if applicable
  • Generator information (must have a generator)
  • A complete menu listing all food and beverage items to be sold

Failure to provide accurate dimensions may affect booth placement.

Licensing and Permits

• Food trucks & food booths must possess all required licenses, permits, and inspections required by:
  • The State of Georgia
  • Monroe County Health Department
  • Any other applicable regulatory agencies
  • Copies of all permits and licenses must be submitted upon request and available for inspection during the festival.

Food trucks must:

• Operate only within their assigned space.
• Maintain all equipment, awnings, and customer service areas within the boundaries of their designated area.
• Follow all arrival and departure instructions provided by festival staff.
• Remain in place for the duration of festival operating hours unless authorized by festival management.
• For safety reasons, vehicles may not be moved during festival hours without approval from event officials.

• Food truck spaces will be assigned by festival management based on operational needs, vehicle size, utility requirements, and event layout.

   

Power and Generators

• Electric service may be limited and is not guaranteed.
• Food trucks requiring electricity must indicate their needs on the application.
• Self-contained generators are permitted and must:
  • Be in good working condition.
  • Operate at reasonable noise levels.
  • Be positioned to minimize disruption to neighboring vendors and attendees.
  • Comply with all applicable safety standards.

Festival staff reserves the right to prohibit any generator deemed excessively noisy, hazardous, or disruptive.

Fire and Safety Requirements

Food trucks and food booths using propane, open flames, grills, fryers, or cooking equipment must:

• Maintain a current, properly charged ABC fire extinguisher.
• Maintain any required kitchen suppression systems.
• Secure all propane tanks appropriately.
• Comply with all local fire codes and inspections.

Failure to meet fire safety requirements may result in immediate closure of the operation.

Waste Disposal
Food vendors are responsible for maintaining a clean operating area.

Vendors must:

• Provide trash receptacles for customers.
• Remove all grease, cooking oils, wastewater, and refuse from festival grounds.
• Dispose of waste in accordance with all environmental regulations.
• Leave their assigned area clean and free of debris.
• Grease, gray water, and food waste may not be dumped into storm drains, streets, landscaped areas, or portable restroom facilities.

Operating Hours

• Food vendors are expected to remain open during all published festival hours unless otherwise approved by festival management.
• Early departures are discouraged and may affect eligibility for future participation.

Festival Compliance
Failure to comply with festival policies, health department regulations, fire codes, or directions from festival staff may result in:

• Suspension of operations,
• Removal from festival grounds without refund, and/or
• Denial of participation in future Fried Green Tomato Festivals.

Food Safety Practices
Food vendors are expected to:

• Maintain proper food temperatures.
• Protect food from contamination.
• Use gloves or utensils when handling ready-to-eat foods.
• Provide handwashing facilities when required.
• Store food safely and hygienically.

Follow all health department guidelines regarding food preparation and service.
 
Sampling
Food samples may only be distributed in accordance with health department regulations and with prior approval from the Festival Committee.

Unauthorized sampling is prohibited.

Check-In & Operating Hours
Food vendors must check in and complete setup by the deadline established by festival management.

Vendors are expected to remain open during official festival operating hours unless otherwise approved.

Booths that remain unoccupied after the designated check-in deadline may be reassigned without refund.

 
Insurance
Food vendors are required to carry general and/or product liability insurance.

Vendors selling food for human consumption must provide proof of insurance upon request and comply with any additional insurance requirements established by the festival.

 
Prohibited Items
The following are prohibited unless specifically authorized by festival management:

Alcoholic beverages
Illegal substances
Tobacco and vaping products
Fireworks or explosives
Items prohibited by federal, state, or local law
 
Festival Compliance
Failure to comply with festival policies, health department regulations, fire codes, or instructions from festival staff may result in:

• Removal of prohibited items
• Temporary suspension of operations
• Immediate closure of the booth
• Removal from festival grounds without refund

Denial of participation in future festivals

Check-In, Attendance & Cancellations

Vendors must check in and occupy their assigned booth space by the designated setup deadline.  The Fried Green Tomato Festival is a rain or shine nonrefundable event.

SPECIAL NOTE:  Juliette is in a rural area and most cell phone carriers do not have coverage.  If you plan to use an app for credit cards payments you may need to make other arrangements.  AT&T works well, Verizon does not. 
Thank you for helping make the Fried Green Tomato Festival a welcoming, safe, and enjoyable experience for our visitors, vendors, and community.

Terms & Conditions
By submitting an application and participating in the Fried Green Tomato Festival, vendors agree to abide by the following terms and conditions.

Acceptance and Approval
Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance into the festival. The Festival Committee reserves the right to approve or deny any application based on space availability, product diversity, menu offerings, festival needs, and overall event suitability.

Only food items listed on the approved application may be sold during the festival.

Booth Assignments and Food Truck Locations
Booth assignments and designated truck locations are determined solely by festival organizers. Requests for specific locations will be considered but cannot be guaranteed. Vendors may not relocate or transfer their assigned booth space without prior approval.

Setup and Breakdown
Vendors must adhere to the designated setup and breakdown schedules provided by festival organizers. All vendors must be fully operational before the festival opens to the public. Early breakdown or departure is prohibited without prior authorization from festival management.

Area Maintenance
Vendors are responsible for maintaining a clean, safe, and professional booth/truck area throughout the duration of the event. Displays, inventory, and personal items must remain within the assigned booth space and may not obstruct walkways or neighboring vendors.

Weather Policy
The Fried Green Tomato Festival is a rain-or-shine event. Vendors are responsible for preparing for all weather conditions, including securing tents and protecting merchandise. No refunds will be issued due to weather conditions, natural disasters, or circumstances beyond the festival's control.

Tent and Safety Requirements
All tents and canopies must be properly weighted and secured. Vendors must comply with all safety regulations and keep fire lanes, emergency access routes, and public walkways clear at all times.

Electricity and Generators
Electrical access, when available, must be requested in advance and is not guaranteed. Vendors using electricity must provide appropriate outdoor-rated extension cords and equipment. Quiet generators are a must for food trucks.

Cancellations and Refunds

Vendor fees are non-refundable unless otherwise specified by festival organizers. Failure to attend without prior notification may affect eligibility for future participation.

Compliance with Laws and Regulations
Vendors agree to comply with all applicable federal, state, county, and local laws, regulations, ordinances, permits, and licensing requirements, including all Monroe County Health Department requirements and applicable fire safety regulations.

Failure to maintain required permits or comply with inspections may result in immediate removal from the festival without refund.

Insurance
Food vendors are responsible for maintaining any required liability and product liability insurance.

Proof of insurance shall be provided upon request.

Vendors assume full responsibility for their products, operations, employees, volunteers, and guests.

Liability and Indemnification
Participation in the Fried Green Tomato Festival is at the vendor's own risk. Vendors assume full responsibility for their merchandise, equipment, displays, employees, and personal property. No security or guard services will be provided for vendor booths or merchandise. The Fried Green Tomato Festival, its organizers, sponsors, volunteers, the City of Juliette, and affiliated partners shall not be liable for any loss, theft, damage, injury, or claims arising from participation in the event.

Vendors agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Fried Green Tomato Festival, its organizers, sponsors, volunteers, the City of Juliette, and affiliated partners from any claims, liabilities, damages, expenses, or legal actions resulting from the vendor's participation.

Assumption of Risk
Participation in the festival is entirely at the Vendor's own risk.

The Fried Green Tomato Festival shall not be responsible for any loss, theft, damage, injury, illness, accident, weather-related loss, equipment failure, or other unforeseen circumstances affecting the Vendor, its employees, agents, property, merchandise, or equipment.

Food Safety and Fire Safety
Vendors agree to maintain safe food handling practices and comply with all applicable health regulations.

Food vendors utilizing grills, fryers, propane, open flames, or similar cooking equipment must maintain appropriate fire extinguishers and comply with all fire safety requirements.

Festival officials reserve the right to inspect vendor spaces at any time.

Generators and Utilities
Generators must be approved by festival management and operated in a safe and courteous manner.

The festival does not guarantee access to electricity, water, or other utilities unless specifically agreed to in writing.

Prohibited Items
Vendors shall not sell or distribute any prohibited items, including but not limited to:

Alcoholic beverages without authorization;
Illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia;
Tobacco, nicotine, or vaping products;
Fireworks or explosives;
Items prohibited by law; or
Any item deemed unsafe or inappropriate by festival management.

Photography and Promotion
Vendor grants the Fried Green Tomato Festival permission to photograph, video record, and use images of the Vendor's booth, products, employees, and activities for promotional, marketing, social media, and advertising purposes without compensation.

Enforcement and Removal
The Festival Committee reserves the right to remove any Vendor from the festival for failure to comply with these Terms and Conditions, health or safety violations, inappropriate conduct, misrepresentation on the application, or refusal to follow instructions from festival officials.

Removal from the festival may occur without refund.

No Exclusivity
Participation in the festival does not grant exclusive rights to sell any specific food item unless expressly stated in writing by the Festival Committee.

WAIVER: I hereby make application for booth space for sale purposes in the 2026 Fried Green Tomato Festival. In signing this application, I agree to abide by all the rules and regulations previously set forth. I assume all risks associated with this event and hold harmless the Fried Green Tomato Festival, its employees, agents, and volunteers. Having read this waiver and knowing these facts and in consideration of your acceptance of my entry, I, for myself and anyone entitled to act on my behalf, waive and release all sponsors, their representatives, and successors, and any individual or group associated with this event from all claims and liabilities of any kind arising out of my participation in this event, even though that liability may arise out of negligence or carelessness on the part of the persons named in this waiver. I grant permission to all the foregoing to use any photographs, motion pictures, recordings, verbal or written agreements, or any other record of this event for any legitimate purpose including publicity.

Agreement
By signing the vendor application, the Vendor acknowledges that they have read, understand, and agree to abide by these Terms and Conditions, all Festival Rules and Regulations, and any instructions issued by festival management.