Food Vendor Information

Thank you for your interest in applying to be a Bass Coast Food Vendor. Bass Coast Festival takes place July 7-10, 2023, outside the city of Merritt, BC on the shared traditional territories of the Nłeʔkepmx and Syilx.


Food is an important part of the Bass Coast experience. 6500 attendees, crew members and volunteers will be on-site for 4 days. We are looking for vendors who offer tasty and nourishing options and are willing to help us fulfil our mandate of minimizing our environmental impact. Bass Coast food vendors are encouraged to source local ingredients and come up with innovative ways to reduce waste on-site.

Important Information: 
  • Food Vendor Applications close on Feb 15, 2023.
  • Please note, some priority is given to vendors who have previously contributed to Bass Coast Festival.
  • All successful applicants will be responded to by March 31, 2023.
  • Only successful applicants will be contacted.

STALL PRICES:
Full Service Stall: $1950 plus 12% of daily sales and leave no trace deposit which includes;

  • 10 staff tickets, camping (behind the stall or general admission camping) and 1 Food Vendor parking pass. 
  • Bass Coast Festival Food Vendors may request to apply for a limited number of additional staff tickets (cost: $419 plus s/c + taxes). 
  • Power is not included*
Beverage / Snack Stall: $1350 plus 12% of daily sales and leave no trace deposit which includes;
  • 6 staff tickets, camping (behind the stall or general admission camping) and 1 Food Vendor parking pass. 
  • Bass Coast Festival Food Vendors may request to apply for a limited number of additional staff tickets (cost: $419 plus s/c + taxes). 
  • Power is not included*

*Power is paid in addition to the vendor package:

  • 30AMP: $200
  • 50AMP: $250

Fees include:

  • Daily potable water hookup
  • Greywater removal
  • Garbage, recycling and compost removal from the site

Bass Coast Food Vendors may apply for a limited number of additional staff tickets. ($419 plus s/c + taxes /ticket)


IMPORTANT INFORMATION

GENERAL INFORMATION

Bass Coast is a 19-and-over event and photo ID is required to enter the festival site. THIS INCLUDES YOUR STAFF. No animals are permitted on-site before, during, or after the event.

LOCATION ONSITE

The Food Vending Market is located in a busy hub near the General Store, The Brain Workshop stage and the popular Cantina Stage & Bar. Vendors are encouraged to create their own seating area environment around their stall. Our attendees appreciate it when the vendors take part in the artistic landscape. 

WEATHER

Prepare for all weather. We may experience extreme heat, torrential rain, severe thunderstorms or high winds. It’s your responsibility to make sure your stall and products are securable and prepared for the elements.

CAMPING

Camping for food vendors is in the designated area behind your stall. You can park one camper/sleeping vehicle in this area. Food vending staff may also camp in General Camping. 

VEHICLES

Each food vending stall will receive 1 Food Vendor parking pass. Each vending stall has space for one camper/vehicle to be parked directly behind it. This vehicle parked behind the vendor will not have in/out privileges. You may request 1 additional parking spot or park in General Admission camping. No exceptions.

ENTRY / EXIT

Staff Gate is open for food vendors Wednesday, July 5 from 9 AM - 8 PM. All food vendors must arrive no later than 8 PM for placement. Food Vendors will be assigned a specific time to arrive for placement onsite on Wednesday, July 5, 2023.

Vendors must be off-site Monday, July 10 at 8PM. Late departures do not get Leave No Trace deposit back.

SECURITY

We have a strong and professional security team onsite and a comprehensive security plan. Security will be patrolling all areas 24H. Unfortunately, theft is a reality at most festivals, so please secure your valuables on-site. We require that stalls have front lighting that is kept on all night, even if the store is not open, to create a safe and secure area.

HOURS OF OPERATION

We encourage food vendors to open early and stay open as late as they like. The following hours are mandatory for all food vendors:

12 PM - 10 PM Thursday, July 6, 2023

10 AM - 3 AM   Friday, July 7 - Sunday, July 9, 2023


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. 

SIGNAGE

Vendors may not include any third-party advertising signage. All vendors will be requested to remove any third-party logos or signs upon setting up at Bass Coast. 

WATER

There is one potable water hook-up in the market. We will run potable water hoses to the water reservoir in each of your stalls. There is no water under pressure. All vendors must provide their own hoses to hook into our supply line. There are no disposable water bottle sales allowed onsite. 

GREYWATER REMOVAL

All vendors must provide their own pump and hose for greywater removal.

POWER

We will run an electrical cable to your stall, however, we need to know your exact power needs to plan for extra generated power if your power needs are greater than our supply. We will not provide special adaptors to your plugs. You are responsible for carrying these adaptors with your stall. There will be additional charges if you require an adaptor.

REFRIGERATION/REEFER TRUCK

We do not provide a refrigeration truck. You are responsible for your own refrigeration needs.

If you require extra space for refrigeration, please contact Steve Sheridan the Food Court Manager: stevegsheridan@gmail.com 

SUSTAINABILITY

All vendors must use compostable (not just biodegradable) packaging and utensils. All Vendors will be required to purchase Bass Coast approved compostable packaging or participate in a  plates rental plan. Exact details to come by Feb 2023. No disposable water bottles will be sold on-site (by vendors or Bass Coast Festival) and no glass bottles are permitted for sale. Straws are required to be plant-based. We encourage all vendors to source products locally whenever possible.

Please see the Sustainability Agreement for full details on sustainability requirements. 

SITE AND ENVIRONMENT

Packaging from your goods must go to our on-site depot and be recycled by you. A $200 Leave No Trace (LNT) deposit is required to ensure your waste is properly sorted and site is left spotless. Your LNT deposit will be returned on-site Monday, July 10, after your plot has been inspected and approved and any power adaptors have returned. 

INSURANCE
All vendors must have 2 million in liability insurance. 
Bass Coast Site Address: 1000 Midday Valley Road Merritt, BC V1K 1L4
Liability Insurance Form must be sent in through the requested Bass Coast form.
PERMIT TO OPERATE

Bass Coast is a “Temporary Food Event” and all vendors must have a permit to operate. After you are accepted to our market, you will need approval from Interior Health. You are responsible for this permit. If your mobile unit is not registered with IHA then you will need to obtain a permit to operate. Please review the guidelines.

INTERIOR HEALTH INFORMATION

Click on these links for more information on obtaining a permit to operate a food service at a temporary event or festival:

Interior Health Permit Information

Review the requirements 

Application form

GAS SAFETY

All units will need to pass a gas and electrical inspection by a safety officer on-site.

It is recommended that you hire a Licensed Gas Contractor to go through all of your equipment in advance of coming onto the site.  All aspects of how each unit is assembled and the safe operation of each unit must comply, this shall also include the proper type and number of non-expired fire extinguishers.

Each unit must bear the Certification of Approval decal upon arrival in Merritt or they will be not permitted to operate at the event. Please read the following directive at this link

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


PAYMENT INFORMATION

Payment must be made in full by May 1, 2023.

This includes:

  • Store fee plus 5% GST
  • Leave no trace (LNT) deposit of $200
  • Power Fees
  • Payment processor fees
PAYPAL

If you must pay with PayPal, their administration fee is your responsibility and must be added to the package amount and paid in full by May 1, 2023.

STAFF TICKETS

Additional staff tickets requests must be received by June 30, 2023.

12% DAILY GROSS SALES

Daily Sales will be tallied with the Food Vending Manager daily. The 12% owed to Bass Coast will be due upon the conclusion of sales for Bass Coast 2023.

POWER FEES 

Power Fees will be due upon the conclusion of sales for Bass Coast 2023.

ACCESSIBILITY

Please take a moment to read about our Accessibility services:
https://basscoast.ca/pages/accessibility

ETHOS

Please take a moment to read about our ETHOS

https://basscoast.ca/pages/respecthttps://basscoast.ca/pages/harm-reduction-education-series
CULTURAL APPROPRIATION

Please take on the responsibility to do your own research and educate yourself on this issue. When choosing clothing and stylings for Bass Coast and anytime, ask the questions:

  1. Does this item hold traditional significance to a community or culture?

  2. Is the item intended to express religious beliefs or political statements?

  3. Does the item designate respect and or status within that culture?

If the answer is yes to any of the above (or if you don’t know), we ask you to reconsider wearing it. Bass Coast’s harm reduction strategy includes a commitment to providing a culturally safe environment for the whole community. A culture of mutual respect is a fundamental part of the Bass Coast experience.

Even if you think that your specific use of a culturally significant piece of clothing or makeup is respectful, other community members may find it insensitive or upsetting. We ask that you avoid selling or wearing these items at Bass Coast in order to maintain a welcoming and comfortable environment for all festival attendees.

For more information and link please read https://basscoast.ca/pages/respect

COVID-19 GUIDELINES

Bass Coast Festival will continue to operate in accordance with provincial and local health guidelines and recommendations. The government of British Columbia’s current response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic can be viewed here.

IMPORTANT DATES in 2023

Feb 15:     Food Vendor Applications close
Mar 31:     Successful Food Vendors applicants contacted
May 1:       Full payment to Bass Coast due
June 30:    Additional Staff tickets requests deadline
July 5:       Food Vendors arrive onsite at pre-assigned time
July 6:       All Food vendors must open at 12 noon 
July 10:     Vendors must be off-site by Monday July 10 at 8PM. LNT deposit available upon exit.