Farmers markets have grown to be an important part of community food shopping.They're the place to find fresh local produce, catch up with people from the community, share great food and take home seasonal treats that the supermarkets aren't necessarily going to be selling.If you want to become part of a local farmers market, and sell your own food or household necessities, you'll need to do some planning to ensure that your efforts are as effective as they are lucrative.
Step 1: To be prepared, make a list of everything you need.
It is easier to ensure that everything has been packed up and that there is no last-minute panic.Hard work is required to be part of a farmers market.You will need to prepare produce, transport it and set it up early in the morning in order for customers to arrive.Depending on the local market, you may need to carry your own stand or display.You will need to be present and charming throughout the day, and your lunch break may be a rushed sandwich while sitting behind the produce you're selling.It's worth it because you get better returns for retailing the food produce than you do for participating in a food auction.The social interaction is fun.When you need a bathroom break or need to dash off to get change, it's a good idea to make friends quickly at the market.They'll expect the same cover from you.Are you going to do this with a friend or partner?It's easier if you share the effort.
Step 2: Decide what you want to sell.
All sorts of vegetables and fruit are sold at farmers markets.Freshly killed meat products, fresh fish, home or artisan baked goods, drinks, and homemade foods can be found.To increase its appeal and value to customers are some things to consider.Are you a conventional or organic grower?It's important to get your food to market.Not being able to get peas and pumpkins to market for want of a van, trailer or large car is not good.Is someone else willing to help if you don't have transportation?If those could sell well, it would include homemade soaps, beauty products, leather, wood, herbs, sewn or knitted goods, clothing, etc.While still selling food items, spare a part of your stall for them.Beware of farmers markets that are very strict about what is sold and prefer only fresh food, it all depends on where you live and what people consider a farmers market.
Step 3: You can get certified by the Board of Health in your area.
Most people will need to get certified if they serve food.Know the rules for growing, producing, serving and selling food.Many jurisdictions have strict laws against selling food items from home kitchens, although in recognition of the increasing desire of people to sell and buy homemade food products, some of these restrictions are starting to be relaxed again.If you need to use a commercial kitchen space, can you organize a cooperative to share with another person or group of people also selling at the market?Make homemade food by using correct procedures, such as sterilizing bottles and using high heat.If you're not sure, read up on the food type before deciding to include it in your stall, if you can't be bothered going through the hassle of sterilizing and sealing properly.When the market is on, expect officials to come for inspections if you're certified by a health board or similar agency.Use rubber/plastic gloves and head-covers to keep everything neat and tidy.If you have any violations, you may be asked to leave, at least for that one market.
Step 4: Get in touch with the owner of the market.
The person or committee will tell you what the rules are for becoming a part of the market.In some cases, it will be quite formal, and you will need to submit to an interview to convince the other owners and operators that you are a worthy participant, likely to sell quality produce.Cooperatives give power in numbers that also helps to cover marketing and sales and distribution outside of the market.It's a good idea to have a sales pitch prepared in advance.If you already know what you want to contribute to the market, you will fare better.Before you go, check out the competition.Although most farmers markets have a cooperative spirit, there is no point in being the fifteenth stall as there won't be enough customers to go around.Think of ways to add value to your produce, such as turning those berries into berry milkshakes.You could turn your stall into a cooking class, showing people 101 ways to do things with the berries they've bought from you or others, for a small fee.The market will give you information.Ask how many customers there are, what seasonal fluctuations exist, how much it costs to maintain a stall, and what insurance is provided to cover public liability.Is the market indoors or outdoors?Some markets have a system of moving under cover if the weather gets bad.It is possible that a lack of cover will affect your decision to participate.
Step 5: Take care of your market stall.
You should plan how you will set out your wares once you're accepted to the farmers market.Will you have a table with chairs, a stand, tent, or just your product sitting on something simple like a trailer or bales of hay?You will need to purchase the items if you decide to use a display method.You might need; folding chairs, table, tent, canopy, stands, money holder, and a calculator.If you are in a position to accept credit card transactions, consider equipment such as a portable point of sale machine or cell phones.Cash is king at the farmers market, so you might not want to use an ATM for cash withdrawals.If you choose to keep your money in, make sure it's always in your sight.Vendors carry cash in a bag around their waist.You can divide the bag into spare change and coins if you're innovative.
Step 6: Prepare the day before the market.
You won't have time to pack or pick on the day of the market, so you'll just have to get there early.Preparing all the produce and packing the car or van by the night before is the best approach.If you're happy to go to be very early the night before, you can bake or make food just before you leave.It's easy to bake the day before if the food can handle it.Try to thaw some products the night before.There are package goods that need it.Pick produce the day before and have it loaded into boxes or other containers.Just before you leave, keep in a cool place.If the market requires that you list the ingredients of prepared food, make tags or labels in the days before.It's a good idea to do this even if the market doesn't require it.When you make the same product again, save the labels to a folder for future use.Make sure the trailer is ready for your vehicle.If you need to back out with a trailer, try to reverse it and back it into your drive during the day when it's easier to see.If it's safe, leave it on the street in front of the house.The change needs to be organized.If you don't have enough, head to the bank.
Step 7: Get to bed early.
Even though it's a Friday or Saturday night, try to get to bed by 9:00 P.M., because you're going to need all of the energy you can get by the time morning comes.
Step 8: Wake up early.
If it's your first time, make sure you get everything set up early.It's best to start early so that you can fix anything that doesn't go right the first time if you're new to it.
Step 9: Don't let your customers down.
Say hello or good morning.People are walking in front of your booth.Discuss your produce in details, its origins, your passion for it, and how fresh it is.The purpose of a farmers market is to cut out the middleman and engage directly with customers so that they can grasp the love and care that has gone into producing the products you're offering.It's part and parcel of being involved in a farmers market and you should be prepared to chat.Even if there are no cameras around.The booth that customers like to come into is staffed by friendly people.Be proud of what you're doing.You are involved in the restoration of local foods being produced and sold directly to consumers without all the ineffectiveness of the larger food sales chain.You are helping to build community, create a livelihood for yourself and possibly others, and you are also helping people eat the healthy food that they deserve.