Just like any business, selling at a farmers market can be highly profitable with a solid business plan and careful strategy. Here are six tips for making your farmers market business a huge success.
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1. Do your research — Before you begin selling, visit the farmers markets you are interested in. Pay attention to the flow of business during market hours.
According to Hobby Farms, every market has its own vibe with some being places for shoppers to quickly get what they need and some being community social events with activities for the whole family. Pay attention to what products and crops are most popular and what prices they command.
2. Make sure you can commit to market rules — Hobby Farms recommends connecting with the market manager to discover their expectations for vendors. Be sure you are comfortable with the rules and that they fit your business model.
3. Consider partnering with another vendor —
Profitable Plants Digest says pairing up with another non-competing vendor at first can be a good way to learn the ropes and keep initial expenses down.
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4. Discover a market niche — Finding unmet needs and wants of shoppers can be very profitable. Try to sell crops that either cannot be found elsewhere or those with quality that isn't quite up to par at the supermarket. For example,
Rodale’s Organic Life lists heirloom tomatoes as the No. 1 crop to buy at farmers markets because mealy supermarket tomatoes are no match for the quality of colorful, flavorful, locally-grown heirloom tomatoes.
5. Get creative — If you are selling something unusual such as garlic scapes, display them attractively and set up recipe cards to inspire shoppers to buy them and learn about a new food. Invest in your stand, and use colorful tablecloths and bright signage to lure shoppers, suggests Hobby Farms
6. Connect with your customers — Market shoppers enjoy learning about where their food comes from, so share photos and information about your farm with them, says Hobby Farms. Profitable Plants Digest also recommends having an e-mail sign-up sheet handy. Use your e-mail list to let shoppers know about your featured products and special promotions ahead of time.
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Brande Plotnick is an ambitious home cook, gardener, beekeeper, writer, and speaker who started her website, Tomato Envy, to inspire others to find their deliberately decadent life at home. Brande’s down-to-earth style and approachable manner have been winning over the readers who follow her blog. Her work has been featured in Urban Farm Magazine, Natural Awakenings, Mother Earth News, and the Whole Seed Catalog.
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