ChangeSC PROGRAM GUIDELINES
SECTION 1
SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION OF PROGRAM
1.01 Scope of Program
ChangeSC is a voluntary initiative designed to expand access to fresh, locally grown produce in communities with low food access and low income, support South Carolina farmers by promoting direct sales of their fresh, locally grown produce, improve the overall quality and safety of produce available to consumers, and foster community engagement and educational opportunities related to local agriculture.
1.02 Administration of Program
The ChangeSC Program shall be supervised and administered by the Marketing Division of the South Carolina Department of Agriculture.
SECTION 2
DEFINITIONS
2.01 Pop-Up Farm Stand
A Pop-Up Farm Stand under these guidelines is a temporary, mobile market location operated primarily by a farmer. It is designed to sell fresh, locally grown agricultural produce directly to the public in low-income, low-access areas. Although limited quantities of re-sold produce may be accepted, the primary focus must be on produce grown by the participating farmer, with at least 70% of the produce sold at the pop-up stand coming from the farmer’s own crops. Resale produce must not exceed 30% of the total offerings. Farmers may apply individually or as part of a group, but each farm must submit its own application and indicate its participation in the group. Collectively, the group must meet the 70/30 requirement.
2.02 South Carolina Grown Produce and Protein
For the purposes of these guidelines, South Carolina Grown Produce refers to fruits, vegetables, and other agricultural products cultivated within South Carolina. Such produce must be clearly labeled in accordance with industry quality standards. Qualifying farmers must be approved participants in the SC Certified Grown Program.
SECTION 3
APPLICATIONS
3.01 Application for Participation
Any farmer or agricultural producer interested in operating a ChangeSC Pop-Up Farm Stand must apply through the SCDA. The application must be submitted on a form provided by SCDA and signed by the applicant (or, if applicable, by an officer or partner of the business). Farmers applying as part of a group must indicate their group participation on the application.
3.02 Approval of Application
Approval to participate in the ChangeSC program is required before operating a ChangeSC-affiliated pop-up stand. SCDA will review and decide on each application within a reasonable period after its submission. Meeting the program’s qualifications does not guarantee participation. Selection will be based on factors such as budget availability, identified priority locations, and overall program needs. Approval of an application makes an applicant eligible for selection, but participation will be limited accordingly.
3.03 Denial of Applications
If an application is denied, the applicant will receive written notification stating the reasons for disapproval. An applicant may request reconsideration of the decision by submitting a written request within fifteen (15) days of the notice.
3.04 Revocation of Approval
SCDA reserves the right to revoke participation approval at any time for non-compliance with these rules or any applicable law. Affected vendors may request reconsideration of the revocation in writing within fifteen (15) days of receiving notice of revocation.
SECTION 4
BRANDING, PROMOTION, AND MATERIAL SUPPORT
4.01 Provided Materials
Upon approval, each participating farmer will receive a branded marketing materials to enhance visibility and create a professional, uniform appearance for ChangeSC Pop-Up Farm Stands. These materials may include: a tent, kraft bags, feather flags, A-frame signs, hats, tote bags, and price cards. All branded materials remain the property of SCDA and must be used exclusively for ChangeSC events.
4.02 Marketing and Promotion
To support participating farmers and increase community engagement, the ChangeSC program may actively promote pop-up farm stand locations through social media posts on official ChangeSC and South Carolina Department of Agriculture platforms, other digital media campaigns to notify local consumers, community outreach efforts with local organizations, and website listings detailing locations and schedules.
4.03 Event Stipend and Sales Reporting
To support farmers participating in the program, ChangeSC provides a stipend for each event. The stipend amount and payment details will be communicated through the application process. To receive the stipend, farmers must submit a sales report for each pop-up stand event. Sales reports must be sent to SCDA no later than five (5) business days after the event. Failure to submit sales data within this timeframe may result in a delay or withholding of the stipend and could impact future participation in the program.
4.04 Proper Use of Branding
All provided materials, including branded tents and promotional items, must be used appropriately to maintain program integrity. Unauthorized use of ChangeSC branding outside of approved events is prohibited.
SECTION 5
STAND DESIGN, SETUP, AND LOCATION REQUIREMENTS
5.01 Stand Appearance and Setup
Each pop-up stand must maintain a clean, organized, and professional appearance. The design should be conducive to safe and efficient customer interaction, with a layout that highlights the freshness and quality of the produce.
5.02 Location Requirements
Pop-up stands must be located in areas approved by SCDA and any appropriate local authorities, particularly in regions identified as having low food access. The stand must be placed so as not to obstruct visibility or traffic. Vendors must adhere to any local traffic, parking, or safety regulations. Adequate parking and loading areas must be provided that do not interfere with public access or safety.
5.03 Dates and Times
Upon approval, SCDA will collaborate with farmers to identify mutually agreeable pop-up stand dates, times and locations.
SECTION 6
SANITATION, CLEANLINESS, AND FOOD SAFETY
6.01 Food Safety and Sanitation
Vendors must strictly comply with the South Carolina Produce Safety Act, the South Carolina Food and Cosmetic Act, and all other applicable local, state, or federal regulations regarding food safety, sanitation, and waste management.
6.02 Cleanliness
Pop-up stands must always be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition to protect public health and promote a positive image of local agriculture.
SECTION 7
PRODUCT QUALITY AND SOURCING
7.01 Fresh Produce Emphasis
At least 70% of the produce sold at the pop-up stand must be grown by the participating farmer. Resale produce is permitted but must not exceed 30% of total offerings. Farmers applying as part of a group must collectively meet this requirement, with each farm submitting its own application and ensuring compliance within the group. Any resale items must meet the following criteria: clearly labeled with their source, limited to fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables, sourced from farms in South Carolina or its neighboring states (Georgia, North Carolina, or Tennessee) and consistent with the mission of promoting local agriculture and food access.
7.02 Honest Packaging and Labeling
All products must be packaged and labeled truthfully. Any product packaged to misrepresent its quality or origin (e.g., concealing inferior products beneath premium produce) is strictly prohibited.
SECTION 8
LABELING, PRICING, AND TRANSPARENCY
8.01 Labeling of Produce
Vendors must ensure any product originating from outside of South Carolina is not mislabeled as Certified SC. Marketing such product as Certified SC is strictly prohibited. All produce grown in South Carolina must be clearly labeled as “grown in SC.” All labels must comply with SCDA standards and applicable state laws.
8.02 Pricing Standards
Farmers must establish and maintain consistent pricing for each produce item at their stand throughout the duration of an event. Sudden or arbitrary price changes are not permitted. Prices for all items must be clearly posted and easily visible to customers. Acceptable formats include price tags, signage, or menus placed near the produce. Pricing must comply with ethical business practices, and any attempt to mislead consumers through unclear or deceptive pricing is strictly prohibited. All products must be sold in accordance with the South Carolina Weights and Measures Law to ensure fair pricing.
SECTION 9
FAIR AND HONEST MARKETING PRACTICES
9.01 Ethical Business Practices
All vendors and their employees must conduct themselves in an ethical and honest manner. Any fraudulent or dishonest practices will be grounds for immediate revocation of program approval.
9.02 Prohibited Activities
The sale or consumption of alcohol, intoxicating beverages, or illegal substances is strictly prohibited at any ChangeSC Pop-Up Farm Stand. Use of profane or abusive language is not permitted.
SECTION 10
COMPLIANCE & ENFORCEMENT
10.01 Compliance
To ensure program integrity, participating farmers must adhere to the requirement that at least 70% of produce sold at their pop-up stand is grown by them, with no more than 30% sourced from approved resale channels. Farmers participating as part of a group must collectively meet this requirement, and each farm must maintain records of its contributions. Compliance will be monitored through sales reports, labeling requirements, and site inspections. Farmers must submit a post-event sales report detailing total sales, the percentage of farmer-grown vs. resale produce, and the source of any resale items. All resale produce must be clearly labeled with its origin. Misrepresenting resale produce as farmer-grown is strictly prohibited. SCDA may conduct random on-site inspections to verify compliance and review records.
10.02 Enforcement and Penalties
Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in the following actions: First Violation: Written warning and corrective action. Second Violation: Suspension from the next scheduled pop-up event. Third Violation: Removal from the ChangeSC Pop-Up Farm Stand Program. The vendor may request reconsideration of any disciplinary action in writing within fifteen (15) days of receiving written notice of the violation.
SECTION 11
EFFECTIVE DATE
11.01 Implementation
These guidelines become effective on 02/25/2025.
By applying to participate in the ChangeSC Pop-Up Farm Stand Program, vendors agree to abide by all of the above guidelines, thereby promoting local agriculture, ensuring product quality and safety, and enhancing community access to fresh produce throughout South Carolina