FAQ: Visiting the Market

When are you open?
NFM as a facility is open 362 days a year.  We are closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year's Day. Some merchants on our Farm Side are open 362 days a year along with the Market House. The Flea Market is open Friday to Sunday year round. Individual merchant days and hours vary greatly and from season to season. Visit our Merchants page to find out more. We occasionally close due to inclement weather-check the television listings, Facebook, and/or Twitter before coming out to Market on days such as that.

How can I get to the Market?
There are a plethora of transportation options to get to NFM. We highly recommend walking, biking, or taking public transportation whenever available—especially on busy Saturday's. Go to our Visit NFM page to get Google Maps directions and click the buttons for mode of transport selected to learn specific information from your location.

Is it free to come to NFM?
For regular Market business there is no entrance fee & parking is free. You simply pay for what you purchase with any of our farmers, artisans, merchants, or restaurants. At times, we do host or co-host special events and/or classes that do require an entrance fee—however, that will be specially posted if during regular market hours or scheduled outside regular business hours. Parking is always free.

How is the market supported?
NFM is supported by merchant fees, venue rental fees & grants. The Market operates on a small budget that must support a large array of operating expenses that includes facility care & maintenance, insurance, permits, licenses, signage, utilities, disposal, site improvements, marketing, a 7-person staff (including 3 maintenance), and more. We meet these needs largely through merchant rental fees.

What kinds of products can I find at the market?
At NFM, you’ll find a locally, regionally, and more grown fruits & vegetables, locally & regionally raised meats, plants, flowers & herbs, farm-fresh eggs & dairy products, baked goods, snacks, spices, international items, and more on our Farm Side. Inside our Market House you'll find (soon to be 11!) restaurants & shops, crafters making handmade soaps & body products, prepared foods, specialty items, and more. On our Flea Market Side you'll find everything from handcrafted pottery & jewelry to home goods to clothing and accessories. Most merchants are at Market on Saturdays but many come other days of the week-most notable Fridays and Sundays. Visit our Merchant pages to find out more.

How do I contact a merchant?
Visit their individual merchant page (start on our Merchants page) for contact information.

How do I find a merchant I'm looking for?
Merchants will always be located in one of 3 areas:

• Farm Side - under the partially-covered farm sheds or in our middle market (in between sheds) closer to Harrison Street & the capitol
• Inside the Market House - inside the interior, fully covered building that houses our restaurants; or
• Flea Market - under the partially-covered sheds closer to Jefferson Street & I-65.

A general rule of thumb is... If it is a grown or made food product it will be either on our farm side or inside our Market House.  If it is a restaurant or "ready to eat" item it will likely be inside our Market House.  And if it is a non-food item that is not handmade it is likely in or Flea Market (ex. sunglasses, t-shirts, overstock items, etc). NFM is home to two Garden Centers at opposite ends of the Market:  DGI on our Flea Market side, and Gardens of Babylon on our Farm Side. For specific merchant information visit their merchant page & post-August 2011 you can do a search for merchants or types of items sold.

How do I know if someone has something I'm looking for?
If it's produce--check the Seasonality Chart to see if it looks like it may be in that time of year. By August 2011 we will introduce a search feature on the website that will tell you who is selling that item so you can contact them directly to determine if that have it on hand. The search feature will cover all areas of the Market. Many people also post queries on Facebook, Twitter, or contact us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to receive guidance.

Why aren't more of your merchants there or open every day?
All of our merchants are small, locally-owned businesses. Generally speaking someone has to plant on the farm, milk cows at the dairy, bake the deliciousness, and more. Some, like berry farmers, have specific, small seasons and when it's up they no longer have product to sell. All are local entrepreneurs running their own businesses; many doing it all by themselves. Add in the desire and need for days of rest and it's simply not feasible for most merchants to be at Market seven days, week every week. Check the merchant pages to see who is open when.  It does change through seasons with more able to come more often during the "peak" season of June to October.

Do you accept credit cards? Do your merchants?
NFM currently accepts credit cards for rent payments from merchants only. By December, NFM is slated to have a credit card system for customer payments for items such as class or event fees, gift cards, holiday items, NFM wear, venue and/or meeting room rental and more. These are the only things NFM itself "sells.' Our merchants are individually owned & operated businesses so some merchants accept credit cards and some do not. All accept cash and many accept checks. There is a Regions Bank ATM located inside the Market House across from Nooley's Cajun Restaurant. International Market also has an ATM on premises. Contact individual merchants directly to find out about their specific tender acceptance.

How Can I Become an NFM Merchant?
Visit our Become a Merchant page to learn more.