Food Vendors

Food Philosophy

“The two things you can’t fake are good food and good music.” – Etta James

We value food that is good for our bodies, our community and our environment. Our goal is to work with partners and vendors who share our values and our commitment to support local, ethical and sustainable products. We encourage applications from vendors who offer a variety of healthy, nutritious food choices that are affordable and that respect dietary restrictions.

Each year the Vancouver Folk Music Festival draws more than 30,000 people over 3 days. Our Food Vendor area is a busy and bustling space, providing vendors an excellent opportunity to increase their exposure while having some Festival fun. 

Pete’s Eats – Hours of Operation

Friday July 19:              4:00pm to 9:00pm

Saturday July 20:        10:00am to 9:00pm

Sunday July 21:            10:00am to 9:00pm

Application Process & Selection Criteria 

Food Vendor applications for the 2024 Festival are now closed.

Thank you to everyone who applied – we look forward to working with the successful applicants on another great Festival July 19 – 21, 2024.

How Food Vendors are Selected

The first thing we do after receiving your application is confirm that you have completed the entire application. If there is any missing information, your application will not be considered.

The second thing we do is review publicly available, online sources to verify that your mobile vending unit and your commissary kitchen are currently in compliance with BC’s Food Premises Regulation. We also verify that you have a pattern of compliance with the regulations. If you have any outstanding critical infractions or if there is a pattern of repeated non-compliance, your application will not be considered.

Once we are satisfied that you consistently operate in a FoodSafe manner, your application will then be considered by an internal selection committee. In a nutshell, what the selection committee looks for are well-organized vendors with high quality menus. In selecting vendors to participate, the VFMF takes into account the following factors: what type of food you serve, whether your menu offers affordable options, whether you use local or ethically sourced ingredients, whether you offer nutritious choices, whether you have experience serving in a high-volume setting, and whether or not you have been a vendor at previous Folk Festivals. Previous food service experience is important as the VFMF is a very high traffic festival and can get very busy for vendors. We strive to have a balance of new and returning vendors. For returning vendors, the committee also takes into account any feedback received from the public and/or festival volunteers. Please note: past participation does not guarantee a place in the coming year.

When filling out your application, be mindful that food vendor selection is a juried process and quite competitive. Please read the application form very carefully as we are not able to accommodate or make exceptions to the parameters laid out. If you are not able to meet our requirements or our fee structure, your application will not be considered.

If your application is accepted for participation in the 2024 Vancouver Folk Music Festival, we will notify you by email on or before April 15, 2024. Please note: we do not require a deposit at the time of application.

Food Vendor Fees 

The food vendor fee includes: a vending space in either the main food vendor area or along the North Fence, access to potable water (hot and cold), grey water disposal/drainage, one 15 Amp single phase circuit, storage space in a refrigerated truck, one (1) parking space, and a limited number of badges that will allow your staff access to the site. Vendors are required to supply their own food preparation equipment, display materials, lighting, weatherproofing, and flooring.

In 2024, the food vendor fee will be based on 18% of gross sales at the Festival, plus a non-refundable deposit of $650. Food vendors will be required to reconcile all sales on a digital platform (e.g., Moneris or Square) and to report sales totals to the festival’s Food & Beverage Manager by email at the end of each day. The Festival will invoice the food vendor at the end of the festival for the total commission.

Pre-Festival Deposits

• If you are selected to be a vendor at the 2024 VFMF, we will immediately invoice you for a $650 deposit that will hold your space at the Festival. Your deposit is non-refundable and will be due within 7 days of the invoice being sent. Failure to pay the deposit on time will result in the cancellation of our offer to participate and your spot will be offered to a vendor on the waiting list.
• The VFMF is a green event. To ensure that all vendors follow the Festival’s eco guidelines, food vendors will also be charged a $150 green deposit. This deposit is refundable and will also be due within 7 days of being offered a spot at the 2024 Festival. Your green deposit will be returned to you after the Festival once we have confirmed that you have cleaned up all your waste and that you have left your spot the way you found it.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 31, 2024

To complete your application form, click here