2023 Market Assistance Program (MAP)

Charlene hands a product to a customer at their market booth

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As of January 1, 2024, all client programs have closed as part of our pivot away from client services in the Pacific Northwest. You can now explore a list of active local providers here.

Mercy Corps Northwest and the Vancouver Farmers Market partnered to launch the Market Assistance Program (MAP) to offer small business owners an opportunity to test their products at Vancouver, Washington’s largest weekend market for FREE. The market itself is home to over 200 vendors and acts as home to Southwest Washington's #1 visitor attraction. The program is supported through a partnership with the City of Vancouver and Clark County. 

Applicants must fall under the 80% median income limit for this program. Income limits are based on household size and include income from all members that share finances. 

See if you qualify

In order to be eligible for the program you must meet all four of the following requirements:

  1. Own a business that has a physical location in Clark County, Washington that produces handmade or homegrown products. (Home-based businesses located in Clark County, WA meet the geographic requirements.)
  2. Be a policyholder or willing to purchase event insurance during their tabling dates. Policies will need both Mercy Corps and the Vancouver Farmers Market to the policy for their tabling days. (Staff is available to provide support should you have insurance-related questions.)
  3. Be required to set up your table on Saturday morning and take down your table on Sunday afternoon at the market. You may staff your booth yourself, or hire a person or find a friend or volunteer who you trust to represent your business.  A tent, table, and chairs will be provided by MCNW.
  4. Meet requirements of being a household with a yearly gross income (pre-tax) less than 80% AMI (area median income) as indicated in the chart below. You qualify if your household is at or under the listed income limit for its size:

Clark County income limits for 2023 below:

Family size                  Income limit

1                                             $59,650
2                                             $68,200
3                                             $76,700
4                                             $85,200
5                                             $92,050
6                                             $98,850
7                                             $105,650
8                                             $112,500

Please note: This income chart changes annually. Household income refers to gross income of the applicant and other members of the household that share financial dependency. The limit is determined by the number of members in the household. 

Available market dates and details

The market takes place weekly on Saturday of each week through the months of June 1, 2023 - October 1, 2023.

There may be up to two businesses sharing the Mercy Corps Northwest tent space each weekend. Available spots will be filled on a rolling basis until September 15th, 2023 at midnight. Priority will be given to vendors who have not had any experience in farmers' markets. Applicants will be assigned two weekends, but may be offered additional days if any spots remain open as market dates approach.

Application timeline

The application is open as of May 1, 2023. Available spots will be filled on a rolling basis until September 15th, 2023 at midnight. The application will close when all spots are taken. Questions? Complete this form to get in contact with our team.