Sell Items at a Farmers Market
Farmers markets are the fastest way for growers to reach consumers, but this is a relatively new concept. Until the 1970s, farmers who had extra produce could not legally sell foods to consumers. Thanks to California lawmakers who enabled the first farmers markets to occur in 1979, today there are thousands of communities around the country where food growers, small gourmet item manufacturers and crafters can sell items at a farmers market. As markets grow in popularity, market vendors must learn to make their items stand out from the crowd.
Steps
- Offer items that are in demand. If you notice that people are asking if you have bagged, pre-washed lettuce leaves instead of whole heads, modify your selection to include more bagged lettuce. When you sell items at a farmers market, these items should reflect what the local community wants.
- Keep produce items fresh and on ice if necessary. Nobody wants to purchase wilted produce. If you are selling fragile items such as greens, place them in open tubs and surround them with ice cubes to ensure that they don't wilt in the hot sun.
- Create highly visible signage to tout the key benefits of your product. Shoppers attend farmers markets because they want to meet the farmer who grows their food and know exactly how the food is produced. If you are selling items at a farmers market that are pesticide-free, be sure to include that fact in a large banner or flyer handout on your table. Create a tabletop display and include photos of your farm to give customers a better idea of who you are.
- Select a high-traffic location and be visible from all directions in order to sell items at a farmers market. Although you may not always get to pick where your display is located, if you can do so, remember that a corner booth in the middle of the market is best. Pick a place far from your competition and stand as much as possible so people can see your enthusiasm about your products.
- Provide free samples. Tasting is believing; if food is an item you sell at a farmers market, keep samples available. If you produce handmade crafts, hold a drawing for a free item. Sharing bargains leaves customers feeling good about your product.
- Price your items competitively with vendors who sell items at the farmers market. Never undercut your competition since doing so hurts everyone in the long run, by prohibiting each other from making a good living. Remember that handmade and fresh items have more intrinsic value than items that have been sitting on store shelves. If your product is unique or rare it should also fetch a higher price than similar mass-produced items.
- Differentiate yourself from others who sell similar items at a farmers market by promoting the aspects that set you apart. If you are the only local grass-raised beef producer in the county, be sure to include that in your banner and your handout materials. If you can create an aura of scarcity about your product, you will likely have more sales.
- Be consistent with your market location and attendance when you sell items at a farmers market. The only way to grow and increase your sales is to be there every week without fail. If customers can expect to see your high quality items they will reward you by frequently buying your items.
Tips
- Invest in a high quality shade canopy that will not only keep you from getting a sunburn but will protect your product from unexpected rain or moisture. The canopy should be heavy enough to withstand wind. Weigh the corners down with sandbags for extra assurance that your canopy will remain upright.
