Food Vending

Thank you for your interest in applying to be a Bass Coast Festival Food Vendor.

Bass Coast takes place from July 9-12, 2027, in Merritt, BC, on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Nlaka’pamux and Syilx people.

Food is integral to the Bass Coast Festival experience, serving 5,500 attendees, along with artists and volunteers. We seek vendors who offer delicious, nutritious options and share our commitment to minimising environmental impact. Please note that priority may be given to vendors who have previously contributed to Bass Coast Festival. To reflect the reduced capacity in 2027, we will decrease the number of food vendors.

STALL PRICES

Full Service Stall: $2,200 + 20% of daily sales + Leave No Trace deposit*, which includes:

• Ten (10) Vendor tickets**
• One (1) Food Vendor parking pass
• Up to ten (10) Enviro Vehicle passes***
• Camping (behind the stall or in General Admission camping)

Beverage / Snack Stall: $1,600 + 20% of daily sales + Leave No Trace deposit*, which includes:

• Six (6) Vendor tickets**
• One (1) Food Vendor parking pass
• Up to six (6) Enviro Vehicle passes***
• Camping (behind the stall or in General Admission camping)

Stall Fees Include:

• Daily potable water hookup
• Greywater removal
• Garbage, recycling, and compost removal from the site
• Power (30 amps or 50 amps)

Not Included: 

• Internet access

Vendors are responsible for contacting their cell or internet provider before the event to confirm coverage. For more info, refer to the application package.

* Leave No Trace Deposit: A $200 deposit is required. It is returned once waste is properly sorted and the site is left spotless.

** Additional Vendor Tickets: Vendors may request to purchase extra tickets. Do not purchase these through basscoast.ca. Approved vendors will receive instructions in May.

*** Enviro Vehicle Passes: These are issued as needed at the Staff Gate on check-in. We encourage carpooling to reduce environmental impact.

KEY DATES in 2027

Jan. 12: Applications closed at 11:59 PM PT
Feb. 1: All successful applicants contacted
May 15: Full payment and liability insurance due
June 1: Additional Staff ticket request deadline
July 7: Food Vendors arrive onsite at pre-assigned time
July 8: Food Vendors must open at 12 PM
July 12: Food Vendors must be off-site by 8 PM. LNT deposit is available upon exit.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Bass Coast is a 19-and-over event, and photo ID is required to enter the festival site. This includes all vendors and staff. No animals are permitted on-site before, during, or after the event.

SUSTAINABILITY

Food vendors must use only compostable, non-bioplastic serving ware. Napkins must be recycled, unbleached material, and all utensils and packaging must be made of compostable paper, cardboard, bamboo, or wood.

No individually wrapped items (e.g., condiments, seasonings) may be distributed. No disposable water bottles, glass bottles, or water in Tetra Paks may be sold on-site. Free water is available throughout the site, and beverages in cans are preferred. Straws must be plant-based.

Vendors are encouraged to source products locally and to support patrons who bring their own reusable serving ware. 

Please see the Sustainability Agreement for full details on sustainability requirements, and take a moment to read our Sustainability Education Series.

ACCESSIBILITY

Please take a moment to read about our Accessibility services.  

CODE OF CONDUCT

Bass Coast is committed to fostering its safe and inclusive community. In order to do so, Bass Coast requires that its team, contributors, volunteers and attendees understand and agree to this Code of Conduct in relation to all activities regarding the Festival.

Please take a moment to read our Code of Conduct.

CULTURAL APPROPRIATION

It is important for everyone to take responsibility for researching and educating themselves on this issue. When wearing or selling items (including clothing, makeup, or stylings) for Bass Coast, consider the following questions:

1. Does this hold traditional significance to a community or culture?
2. Is this intended to express religious beliefs or political statements?
3. Does this designate respect or status within that culture?

If the answer is yes to any of the above, or if there is uncertainty, reconsideration is encouraged.

Bass Coast’s harm reduction strategy includes a commitment to providing a culturally safe environment for the entire community. A culture of mutual respect is a fundamental part of the Bass Coast experience. Even if the intention behind sharing culturally significant items is respectful, other community members may find it insensitive or upsetting.

To maintain a welcoming and comfortable environment for all festival attendees, we ask that participants avoid wearing/selling such items.

Please take a moment to read about our Cultural Respect ETHOS.

ETHOS

Please take a moment to read more about our ETHOS:

• Harm Reduction
• Cultural Respect
• Sustainability
• Towards Equity
• Harassment and Assault Policy with attention to Section 6.1

INTERNET ACCESS & CONNECTIVITY INFORMATION

Bass Coast Coordinates: 50°05'24.0"N 120°47'43.9"W

Wifi is not available. Vendors are responsible for arranging their own internet access to support sales. 

ROGERS NETWORK has coverage throughout most of the festival grounds. Phone calls and texts should work.

TELUS NETWORK completed a new permanent cell tower covering the festival grounds, and coverage has improved as a result.

Data speeds on both networks may slow down during the festival due to high usage. 

Every network can have its challenges, but we've seen good performance from devices on Rogers, Telus, and portable satellite options. We recommend calling your provider ahead of time to confirm coverage in this area, and having a backup option in mind in case of connectivity issues.

PAYMENT INFORMATION

Accepted vendors will first receive a contract from Bass Coast. Once your contract is signed, our accounting department will send an invoice with payment instructions. Full payment is due by May 15, 2027.

Your invoice will include:

• Stall fee + 5% GST
• Leave No Trace (LNT) deposit of $200

PayPal is also accepted. An administration fee applies to PayPal payments.

Please do not send payment until you have signed your contract and received an invoice. Invoices and payment instructions will only come from an @basscoast.ca email address. If a payment request looks unusual, contact us before sending any money.

20% DAILY GROSS SALES

Daily Sales will be tallied with Bass Coast Management daily. The 20% owed to Bass Coast will be due upon the conclusion of sales for Bass Coast 2026. 

LOCATION ONSITE

The Food Vending Market is located in a busy hub near the Merch Store, The Brain Workshop stage, and the popular Cantina Stage & Bar. Vendors are encouraged to create a seating area around their stall. Attendees appreciate when vendors contribute to the artistic landscape.

ENTRY / EXIT

The Staff Gate opens for food vendors on Wed. July 7 from 9 AM to 8 PM (no late arrivals will be accepted.) Each vendor will receive a specific arrival time for placement that day.

Food vendors must be off-site by 8 PM on Mon. July 12. Late departures will result in the loss of LNT deposit.

HOURS OF OPERATION

Food vendors are encouraged to open early and stay open as long as they prefer. 

The mandatory hours for all food vendors are:

• Thurs. July 8: 12 PM to 10 PM
• Fri. July 9 to Sun. July 11: 10 AM to 3 AM

FOOD VOUCHERS

All food vendors must accept Bass Coast-issued food vouchers (given to Bass Coast artists, staff, volunteers, etc). Food vouchers will be $13 face value vouchers (worth $13 cash at food stalls). Bass Coast will reimburse food vendors $10 for each $13 face value voucher.  The voucher types will be clearly communicated to the food vendors in advance.

Bass Coast will reimburse all food vendors by cheque for the vouchers redeemed. The food vendor is responsible for collecting all of the vouchers and submitting them to the designated Bass Coast Food Vending manager. 

WEATHER

Be prepared for all weather conditions, including extreme heat, torrential rain, severe thunderstorms, and/or high winds. It is the responsibility of each vendor to ensure their stall and products are secure and prepared for the elements.

CAMPING

Camping for food vendors is located in the designated area behind each stall. One camper or sleeping vehicle is permitted in this area. Food vending staff may also camp in General Admission Camping.

VEHICLES & PARKING

Food vending stalls include one Food Vendor parking pass, with space for one camper or vehicle to be parked directly behind the stall (no in-and-out privileges). Additional parking requests or arrangements for General Admission camping may be made based on availability. No exceptions.

SECURITY

A strong and professional security team will be on-site, supported by a comprehensive security plan. Security will patrol all areas throughout the event. While every effort is made to ensure safety, theft can occur at festivals, so securing valuables is essential. Stalls are required to have front lighting that remains on throughout the night, even when the stall is closed, to help maintain a safe and secure environment.

WATER

There is one potable water hook-up in the market area. Potable water hoses will be run to the water reservoir in each vendor's stall, but there is no water under pressure. Vendors must provide their own hoses to connect to the supply line. Disposable water bottle sales are not allowed on-site.

GREYWATER REMOVAL

Vendors are required to provide their own pump and hose for greywater removal.

POWER

An electrical cable will be provided to each stall, but exact power needs must be communicated in advance to plan for additional generated power if necessary. Special adaptors for plugs will not be provided, and vendors are responsible for bringing their own adaptors. Additional charges will apply if an adaptor is required. All vendors are responsible for having their own backup generator in the case of a power outage.

REFRIGERATION/REEFER TRUCK

A refrigeration truck is not provided. Vendors are responsible for their own refrigeration needs. For additional refrigeration space concerns, please email info@basscoast.ca.

SITE & ENVIRONMENT

All packaging from goods must be taken to the on-site depot and recycled by the vendor. A $200 Leave No Trace (LNT) deposit is required to ensure that waste is properly sorted and the site is left spotless. The LNT deposit will be returned on-site on Mon. July 12, after the plot has been inspected, approved, and any rented power adaptors have been returned.

INSURANCE

All food vendors must have active liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $2,000,000 in Comprehensive General Liability. Certificates must be submitted on or before May 15.

Additional Insureds: as specified in contract. 

Bass Coast Site Address: 1000 Midday Valley Road, Merritt, BC V1K 1L4

RELEASE OF LIABILITY

Please take a moment to read our Liability Waiver.

PERMIT TO OPERATE

Bass Coast is classified as a “Temporary Food Event,” and all vendors must have a permit to operate. After acceptance into the market, approval from Interior Health Authority (IHA) is required. Vendors are responsible for obtaining this permit. If a mobile unit is not registered with IHA, a permit to operate will need to be obtained. Please review the guidelines below. 

INTERIOR HEALTH INFORMATION

For information on obtaining a permit to operate a food service at a temporary event or festival, please refer to the following links:

• Interior Health Permit Information
• Temporary Food Service Guidelines
• Application for Food Premises

GAS SAFETY

All units must pass a gas and electrical inspection by a safety officer on-site. It is recommended to hire a licensed gas contractor to inspect all equipment before arriving on-site. All aspects of each unit's assembly and safe operation must comply with regulations, including having the proper type and number of non-expired fire extinguishers.

Each unit must display a Certification of Approval decal upon arrival in Merritt; otherwise, operation at Bass Coast Festival will not be permitted.

For more information, contact Wayne Johnson, Provincial Gas Safety Officer Interior South Region, at: Wayne.Johnson@safetyauthority.ca. 

STAFF TICKETS

Additional staff ticket purchase requests must be received by May 15.  These must not be purchased through basscoast.ca, instead, instructions to approved vendors in May.

COVID-19 GUIDELINES

Bass Coast Festival will continue to operate in accordance with provincial and local health guidelines and recommendations.