The owners of Colorado Fresh Markets have decided to make an exception to the long-standing noncompete clause in their vendor contract that prohibits participating vendors from serving food at other farmers markets within a 5-mile radius.
The contract issue came to a head after three vendors from the Cherry Creek Fresh Market set up shop at the Civic Center Eats Outdoor Cafe. The vendors said they were unaware that Civic Center Eats — a pop-up food court that serves the lunch crowd on Tuesdays — is considered a farmers market under the contract.
“In the spirit of cooperation, in full support of the parks and the street food scene, and in hopes that this will drive more business to our Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday Denver markets, we will make an exception for the remainder of this season for those vendors who wish to participate in the Civic Center market,” wrote Chris Burke, co-owner of Colorado Fresh Markets, in a July 12 e-mail.
