Big E Request for Applications

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) administers the opportunity for Vermont businesses to vend inside the Vermont Building at the Big E, an annual exposition held in West Springfield, Massachusetts. The event is a 17-day public fair attracting around 1.7 million visitors and features public market-style state buildings along the Avenue of the States. The Vermont Building serves as a curated marketplace showcasing Vermont's distinctive food, retail, and cultural offerings. Through this vending opportunity, VAAFM aims to support Vermont businesses in expanding their market access, enhancing brand visibility, and contributing to the promotion of Vermont as a destination for tourism and relocation. The 2026 program invites applications from Vermont-based businesses and organizations that are registered with the Vermont Secretary of State, have operated for more than one year, and are in good standing with the state. Products sold must align with a list of defined priorities, such as those using Vermont-sourced ingredients, handmade pottery, toys, glass items, and products representative of Vermont’s producer diversity. THC and CBD products are explicitly prohibited due to restrictions by the Eastern States Exhibition. Selected vendors will sign contracts with the state and participate under clearly defined expectations for booth operation, staffing, and compliance with fair guidelines. Participants will operate booths for varying durations (full 17-day event, 8–9 days, or 5–7 days) and pay a 15% commission on all sales to VAAFM. Additional formats such as single-day events—Vermont Day and Harvest New England Day—are available but are administered under a separate application opening in Spring 2026. Booths vary significantly in design, infrastructure, and utilities; applicants are expected to adapt their displays accordingly. Food trucks are also eligible and may apply to operate in designated outdoor locations. The application window opens on January 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM and closes on March 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM. Applications must be submitted via the WebGrants platform. Required application components include business information, proposed product descriptions, ingredient sourcing details, booth preferences, and marketing strategies. New and returning vendors have different application questions tailored to their experience. Applicants are also encouraged to register in the VTBuys system as part of the contracting process. Submissions will be reviewed by a multi-agency committee based on product fit, Vermont brand alignment, use of local ingredients, uniqueness, and marketing strategy. Invitations to participate will be sent in April 2026, followed by vendor setup in September. Contracts will require submission of insurance certificates and a current W-9 form. Vendors must adhere to daily operating hours and reporting obligations and are responsible for furnishing and staffing their booth spaces. Refrigerated and dry storage is limited and allocated by VAAFM based on vendor need and projected sales. Although this vending program is not a cash grant in the traditional sense, it functions as a structured, competitive opportunity involving application review, eligibility screening, contracting, and oversight, and is therefore treated as a valid grant-like opportunity for inclusion.