Perham farmers market seeks vendors for 2026 season opener May 22

Booth space is still open at the Perham Farmers Market as the downtown market gets ready to open its 2026 season on May 22 at 200 5th Street SE. The twice-weekly market will run Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., giving local growers, bakers, crafters, coffee sellers and small food businesses a regular spot to sell directly to shoppers in Perham.

The market has kept the pitch simple for vendors: booth space is free, and sellers can come and go as they are available throughout the season. That low-barrier setup makes the market especially useful for small operators who want a sales outlet without committing to a long-term storefront. It also leaves room for fundraising groups, which the market has previously welcomed by appointment for projects, benefit sales and mission trips.

A returning vendor adds a familiar face to the season. Wendy Frensko’s Cake Walk will be back with cake pops, decorated cookies and other baked goods, the kind of booth that tends to draw repeat customers and keep traffic moving through the market. That mix of produce, baked goods and handmade items has been part of the market’s draw in past seasons, along with canned goods and coffee.

For some sellers, the requirements depend on what they make. Minnesota’s cottage food law allows certain non-potentially hazardous foods and canned goods to be made and sold without a food license, but those items must be sold directly to consumers at places such as farmers’ markets or community events. Cottage food producers must register with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and they must complete training before registering. The department says producers with annual sales of $7,665 or less can use free online training, while those above that level and up to $78,000 use a University of Minnesota Extension training option.

Otter Tail County also notes that public food, beverage and lodging establishments generally must be licensed before operating, which makes the market’s vendor setup an important step for anyone testing a home-based food business. For Perham, the market is more than a shopping stop. It is a summer sales floor for local makers, a steady downtown gathering place and a practical way to connect small sellers with local customers before the season gets fully underway.

The market has shifted locations before, including a prior move approved for the grounds of the old Perham High School, but the 2026 season now points squarely to 200 5th Street SE. With a May 22 opener and a twice-weekly schedule, the market is giving vendors early notice and plenty of room to plan.