How to Sell at a Farmers Market

Step by step method to find a farmers market, find the regulations for a farmers market, and starting to sell.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Food to sell.

1. There are 2 ways to find out information about Farmers Markets, and both work very well.

2. The first way is to visit your local farmers market and ask to see the Market Master.
   
   The Market Master has the responsibility for the day to day operation of the market. S/he will collect the fees, solve disputes, and enforce any rules and laws. This is the person with all of the answers.
   
   Ask about the fees, what you are and are not allowed to sell (rules do vary, the Market Master does not make the rules but S/he knows them), and for any useful advice before you sell.
   
   For example, at one market I went to, the Market Master told me that nobody was selling jelly, and that if I wanted to make and sell jelly that she would give me a spot next to the lady who sold home made bread. I did some very good business at that spot!

3. The other way to find out information is to call either the City Hall or the Chamber of Commerce. They can tell you who to call to contact the Market Master, who is usually the person to answer your questions. This has the benefit of you being able to get answers without leaving your home.

4. Some Farmers Markets, especially the smaller ones, collect fees every time you sell. I used to show up, set up, and the Market Master would come by and collect the $7 selling fee.
   
   Other Farmers Markets will collect a fee for the entire season up front: you may sell one day or for the entire season, and the fee is the same.

5. Show up a good half hour half hour before the customers are due to arrive: trying to maneuver your goods past the early shoppers is annoying to yourself, to the customer, and to your fellow sellers who are trying to attract the attention of those customers.
   
   Your fellow sellers will often give excellent advice: the more successful you are, the more successful the Market will be, and the more customers will show up every week. They will also watch your booth for you if you need to visit the restroom.
   
   The general rule of thumb is that the sellers talk between customers. If a customer approaches the booth of the seller you are talking to, then fade back until the customer has finished buying AND gossiping! The chance to talk to the grower is part of why people buy at Farmers Markets! Some buyers might ask about the chemicals the grower used, some will ask about their daily routine, and some will say nothing at all. At a Farmers Market, the customer is the king!

6. Lastly, do not ask for too little for your produce. Your vegetables are 2000 miles fresher than the food in the supermarket. I usually consider supermarket prices as well as what the other vendors are asking. The first zucchini of the season might sell at more than the supermarket prices, but once the notorious zucchini glut occurs at mid summer, you might have to drop the price to half of that.

7. I have heard it said that Farmers Markets are all about making everyone successful. The customer gets excellent produce to feed his/her family at a good price, the seller gets enough money to make it worth his/ her efforts, and a good time is had by all!

[mithmoral]

on 11/23/2009 This is such wonderful advice! I was actually looking into selling my homemade caramel popcorn at one of the local farmers markets but had no idea where to start. Thank you for this!

With that said, knowing that you're a farmers market guru, how do you think caramel popcorn will sell?

[vallain]

on 6/18/2009 My mom, Gail Martin, has some good farmers market how-to info on eHow. Your article and hers are complementary.