Joining the farmer's market this summer---

[mrs.puff]

Hi all-- My buddy and I are going to team up to have a farmer's market table this year. We'll be selling our eggs and surplus vegetables/fruits. Any advice about varieties/specific things that sell the best? The cost is only $20 for the whole season, so it's more of a first-timers experiment than anything. Does anyone out there sell crafts also?

 

[Wifezilla]

When I go to farmer's markets, the crafters don't do well. People who are there to buy food just buy food. That being said, if you have extra room, by all means fill it with craft items to give your booth an "abundant" look. You may sell some pieces, but most of your sales will most likely be food.

I am going to do a poultry swap at our farmer's market. I am going to try one and then make it a monthly thing if all goes well. I am bringing hatching eggs and I may have ducklings. I am sharing the booth with someone who is bringing quail. I will also be bringing fresh herbs, any surplus greens, perennials, and anything else I can scrounge together

 

[me&thegals]

Good luck! I think you will have a great time. To make $, I actually prefer the CSA model, but the markets can be really profitable on a good day and very enjoyable any day while chatting with fellow vendors and customers.

In my very limited experience, each market seems to really have its own "flavor."

My larger, more established market, people go crazy for my heirloom salad mix, kale and chard. At the other, smaller market, only the salad mix goes like hot cakes.

In general, people love all berries, sweet corn, salad greens, onions, garlic, melons, small squash and pumpkins, potatoes and tomatoes. Early things like garlic greens, asparagus and strawberries always seem to be an incredible hit.

Have fun! Oh, yeah, regarding crafts. They don't seem to do well at my one smaller market, but it is less established and has less "market-educated" customers, or people who really understand the value of things like fresh, organic produce. So, hard to say. If they don't sell, at least they're not perishable.

me&thegals

 

[me&thegals]

ETA: I forgot about herbs and flowers. At some markets I have been to, a really nice bouquet of sunflowers and other bright flowers seem to fly out of the market at $5/pop.

The only herbs I seem to be able to sell are garlic greens to just the right customer, dill during cuke season and always basil, sometimes by the gallon bagful. Again, this is for just the right customer. I've had one lady buy me out every time. If she's not there, though, the basil may come home.

I find it really helps make sales if you really understand your food. What are 5 differents ways of preserving it, 5 different ways of serving it?

 

[PamsPride]

Can you do homemade goodies like fudge and cookies?

 

[mrs.puff]

Yes, that's another thing we can sell, the baked goods? Do they sell well? I notice that most of the baked goods at the markets I've been to are very expensive. Unfortunately, I cannot bake in the summer on the cookstove. It's too hot.

me&thegals-- How much do you sell your salad mix for? Do you just use the inexpensive clear bags with the twisty ties? Little lettuces and such grow well in my garden, as long as I can keep the chickens out.

 

[me&thegals]

Hi Mrs. Puff--You have to check on Iowa regulations. In WI, you have to be using a licensed kitchen to be able to sell baked goods.

I sell my salad mix in 1-gallon Baggies with a twist tie, fluffed up (not packed down). It's about4-6 oz, $3

 

[mrs.puff]

We don't have to have a license for baked goods. We can even sell jam and pickles.

 

[sufficientforme]

I have noticed at our small farmers market the vendors with the most action are as follows
1)The organic meat guy (he has incredible green chorizo LOL) also sells eggs and never has any left later in the day)
2)The veggie tables (big return for the packaged salad greens, like someone already suggested)
3)The speciality tables like honey, home made spice mixtures, and then the unusual canned goods, like spicy asparagus tips or chutney, etc. Jams are too common.
4) There is a table who brings there own apple cider in (it is awesome) they are always busy and they make pies with their cider like a mile high that sell for $$$.
Just my suggestions, no expert, but a faithful Farmers market shopper.
and remember PRESENTATION is key IMHO!

 

[mrs.puff]

Thanks for the info! I never thought of the salad greens til you guys mentioned it. I'm going to be in a small town (9,000 people) and my main competition will be the grocery stores. The market is not especially "hoppin" in this town, so we're not going to be going all-out with lots of stuff. We're going to be doing some unusual squashes, pumpkins and gourds.

yeah, I know about the presentation. People expect stuff to look like it does in the grocery store. Glad I got a salad spinner.