2025 Maynardville Evening Food Market (MEFM):
Food Truck Vendor & Partner Application, Criteria, and On-boarding Process
Launched in 2023, the Maynardville Evening Food Market, in partnership with the Maynardville Open-Air Festival, has been a resounding success, growing year after year. Last year, attendance surged by 28% compared to the previous year, thanks in large part to the dedication and hard work of our vendors. We thank you!
MEFM 2025 will be extended next year and will run from 23 January to 8 March 2025. You can download the full trading day schedule here. Looking ahead, the Maynardville Open-Air Festival 2025 will continue to enchant audiences with performances including Shakespeare’s The Tempest, a Tour de Tchaikovsky piano recital, the Cape Town Philharmonic, and much more. For programming details please visit the official Maynardville site.
How we work
At OAC, we are dedicated to fostering a thriving environment for local SME entrepreneurs and established food-focused businesses—including chef training academies, food innovation labs, and renowned restaurants—to showcase their offerings in a fresh and exciting way, helping them expand their reach and captivate new audiences.
Although vendor space is limited, the Festival traditionally attracts up to 650 attendees per performance, giving selected vendors and partners a unique opportunity to enjoy exclusivity within their category.
Our culture
Our goal is to reconnect Wynberg Park with the broader Cape Town community by revitalizing this historic Festival, while promoting the use of underutilized green spaces to foster a more cohesive, safe, and caring community.
We are also committed to showcasing producers and innovators who embody integrity and sustainability, and who are passionate about uniting the community through exceptional food and service. By celebrating the vibrant diversity of cultures, flavours, and traditions, we aim to make an even greater impact this year through collaborations that push sustainability and conscious eating into the mainstream.
Application process
We evaluate applications based on several key pillars: brand ethos, product quality, responsible production and packaging, price point, and presentation design. This year, we’ve introduced a new category—how innovative the product is in terms of sustainability and conscious eating.
Our ultimate goal is to ensure that our vendors, partners, sponsors, and patrons of the Maynardville Open-Air Festival experience the magic firsthand and walk away enriched by their participation. For returning applicants, we’ve taken your feedback to heart.
First come, First serve
We typically receive high-quality applications and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. This means, for example, if two vendors offer the same food category and you apply first (with all other factors being equal), you will secure the spot. To ensure your participation, we encourage you to apply early.
Fee classes
-We have two FEE classes; namely:
Class 1 – FOOD VENDOR: Vendors whose core business is a Food Truck or operates from an established food market.
Class 2 – OAC COLLAB/MEFM PARTNERS: Established concerns not operating in the Food Vendor space but can benefit patrons by offering a unique food experience. This class includes food innovators, food labs, unique restaurants, training colleges, and identified high-volume Vendors.
Apply
APPLICATIONS for 2025 MEFM are NOW OPEN!
To be considered, please complete your Application below.
Application Q&A
Q: What is the application fee?
A non-refundable admin fee of 750 ZAR is required at the time of application. Payment details are on the application form.
Q: Do I need separate applications for multiple food trucks?
Yes, each food truck requires its own application.
Q: What certifications do vendors need?
A: Vendors must have a valid Certificate of Authority (COA) and a business license. If using gas, a gas certification is also required.
Q: What are the participation fees?
A: In addition to the application fee, the daily Evening Market vendor rates* for 2025 are:
- Mon-Thurs: 450 ZAR a day
- Fri-Sat: 650 ZAR a day
- Sunday: 450 ZAR a day
Q: When does the festival take place?
The festival runs from late January to early March 2025. For exact dates, please check the resource area on our website.
Q: Are vendors required to operate on show days?
Yes, vendors must be open on all show days unless prior written consent is granted.
Q: How can I obtain the vendor agreement?
Request a vendor agreement through our contact information for the complete terms of trade.
Q: Whom should I contact for more questions?
A: For additional questions or assistance, please reach out to our support team via the contact information on our website.
Resources
-Festival Website: click here.
-Festival Programme, click here.
-Trading Days Schedule, click here.
Contact Us
Vendor Queries
For Vendor applications, and related queries, please email foh@openaircollective.co.za; please note during the Festival our response times are 4-8 hrs, pre- and post- the Festival 3-5 days.
Sponsorship Queries
For sponsorship queries, please email sponsorhship@openaircollective.co.za; please note during the Festival our response times are 4-8 hrs, and pre- and post-festival 3-5 days.
*The rates specified apply solely to Evening Market activities. If any additional activities occur during this time that are not covered by the market rates, vendors will receive a separate bill for those times.
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Disclaimer: We reserve the right to change any terms and conditions at any time on any platform. We also reserve the right to change or add to these terms and conditions from time to time for legal, safety or other substantive reasons or to assist the event organiser, or to ensure the safe delivery of the event. We will update this site of any such modifications as and when these modifications take effect.
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