How to Sell Food at Farmers Markets

If you’re a foodie that likes nothing better than baking and cooking, it may be a good idea to start selling your food at farmers markets. Consumers are increasingly preferring to buy local. By doing so, they have a better idea of where their food is coming from and how it’s being produced. Buying local is also a sustainable option, plus it fosters a sense of community.

Fortunately, selling at farmers markets is not that difficult. Micro-entrepreneurs, however, need to be aware of the various rules, regulations, and best practices that accompany the farmers market space. Read on to find out how to sell food at farmers markets.

How to Sell Food at Farmers Markets

Before you start looking for answers to more in-depth questions such as “Do flea market vendors pay taxes?” or “What groceries are taxed?”, it may be more prudent to first ask whether selling at farmers markets is worth it. The answer is, yes, providing you do things right. As is the case with any other type of business, you first need to be reasonably sure that your product will sell. Do market research and read up on trends regarding shoppers’ preferences.

Once you’ve decided on a product, you need to find a farmers market that’s right for you. If you’re living in an area with multiple farmers markets, you should pay them a visit to gauge what their vibe is like and what type of shoppers they attract. Some markets, for instance, are more upmarket and tend to attract a more trendy clientele who want to buy organic foods, while other markets that opt to focus on the community may provide music and activities for kids.

After you’ve pinpointed one or two markets that are a good fit for your product, the next step involves learning more about the practical aspects of selling your food at these locations. Find out who the market manager is so that they can tell you more about their facilities. Selling food is a bit more complex than selling crafts at a farmers market. You may want to ask about things such as dishwashing facilities and greywater disposal. Doing so will help you gauge what equipment you may need, and whether it will be practically viable to sell your food at the location.

License to Sell Food at Farmers Market

So, do you need a food permit to sell at a farmers market? The required permits and licenses to sell food at farmers markets differ depending on the state and county. Market participants have to abide by the regulations of their state when it comes to food preparation and safety, and also the labelling of their products. To obtain a farmers market permit in California, for instance, you’ll need a Temporary Food Facility Permit, and you’ll also need one to obtain a farmer’s market permit in Texas.

The permits required for selling food at a farmers market, however, depend on the type of food products you wish to sell. If you’re selling whole, intact fruit and vegetables, and pre-packed non-potentially hazardous food, you mostly don’t need a Temporary Food Facility Permit. It’s only if you’re selling fruits or veggies that have been chopped up or foods and can spoil that you’ll need such a permit. If you’re required to obtain one, you should be aware of the fact that your state’s health services have the right to conduct inspections of your stall at any given time.

The next important question is, "Do I need a tax ID to sell at a farmers market?”. As is mostly the case when it comes to activities involving income, you’ll need to obtain a Federal Tax Identification Number before you can start selling food at a farmers market. The market manager will likely ask you to supply your tax ID with your application.

Selling Prepared Food at Farmers Markets

To ensure that your business is viable, you’ll need to consider the costs pertaining to selling food at a farmers market. One of your major financial considerations will be the farmers market stall cost. Farmers markets typically charge stall fees or rent, either by the season or the year. The amount will vary, depending on the location and popularity of the market and your location within the market itself.

The city where the market is located will also influence the price. Renting a stall in a market located in a major city such as New York will cost you way more than if you set up shop in another area. However, compared to selling prepared food at farmers markets near Zurich, for instance, setting up shop in a major city in the U.S. is still relatively cheap.

Next, you need to consider the setup of the stall. If not provided by the market's management, you’ll need to supply your own table and chairs. The table will need to be strong and stable enough to provide a sturdy surface for your signage, samples, and products. You may also need equipment. Selling prepared food at farmers markets will require different equipment than if you prepare your food onsite. Prepared food may require hot or cold storage, while you’ll need a cooker or grill when cooking your food onsite.

Selling Food at Farmers Markets in Texas

As stated before, the permits you’ll need to sell food at farmers markets vary from state to state. If you live in Texas, you may be wondering whether you need a food permit to sell at a farmers market. As is the case in many other states, you only need a Temporary Food Facility Permit if you’re selling potentially hazardous food that needs to be stored at a specific temperature.

However, if you’re selling goods that don’t spoil or intact, unprocessed fruits and vegetables, you don’t need a permit. This means that you can, for instance, sell baked goods at a farmers market in Texas without a permit. On the other hand, you can only sell eggs at a farmers market if you have a Temporary Food Facility Permit. This is also the case if you’re selling food at farmers markets in Texas that requires hot or cold storage, is prepared onsite, or is chopped or processed in any way.

Other Farmers Market Costs

Apart from the farmers market booth rental cost, farmer’s market vendors need to consider other costs when planning their businesses. Farmers market income potential varies greatly depending on how effectively a micro-entrepreneur can offset the costs of starting a business. Apart from paying for your market stand and setting it up, you need to consider other costs, such as marketing, packaging, transport, and staff. You will also need to factor in things like the cost of obtaining the necessary licenses and permits.

Although the popularity of farmers markets in the U.S. is fast increasing due to the increased demand for fresher foods and more sustainable sourcing, this doesn’t mean that all markets and all stands are economically viable. To be successful, farmers markets require decent weather, enough foot traffic, and a lot of quality products that are constantly available. Getting this combination right can be challenging. For this reason, it’s important that prospective vendors come up with innovative farmers market booth ideas.

Unique Things to Sell at Farmers Markets

To ensure that you’re bringing a product to a market that will pique the interest of consumers and prompt them to open their wallets, you should think of unique things to sell at farmers markets. It’s also advisable to find out what are the best selling items at markets. In addition, you can investigate what the most profitable farmers market items are. You may need to choose between selling many products at a low profit or selling a few high-profit farmers market items.

Typical farmers market items include products such as freshly grown produce, eggs, honey, and baked goods. The best baked goods to sell at farmers markets are breads, cookies, cakes, brownies, and fudge. However, you don’t want to sell the same cupcakes or brownies as the other vendors around you. Try to add a unique touch by, for instance, selling dog biscuits or treats for customers with special dietary needs. Other trendy ideas you can look into include selling meal kits, which offer pre-portioned ingredients and recipes for creating meals at home, and specialty sauces, such as vegan sauces.

Farmer’s Market Tips for Vendors

Here are a few farmers market tips for vendors:

• Source locally: The supplies for farmers market vendors typically need to come from local producers. So, if you’re not producing your own, you’ll need to plan your recipes around locally sourced ingredients.
• Consider logistics: If possible, opt for a farmers market near you. Doing so will make it much easier for you to travel to and from the venue with your products. Plus, it is likely that you will know more people in your area.
• People buy with their eyes: It doesn’t matter how fresh or tasty your products are. If your stall is shabby and unattractive, and your packaging impractical or boring, your products will not sell as well. Ensure that you create a welcoming atmosphere in your stall and also work on creating your own personal brand.
• Marketing: Getting many feet to your booth will require clever and consistent marketing. Decide on a unique business name and brand and market yourself on your social media pages. For maximum exposure, opt to develop your website.
• Insurance: Be sure to take out liability insurance. Since you’ll technically be the owner of a business, you need to protect yourself from freak accidents and other unforeseen events.