How do I get more customers to my farmers market?
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How do I get more customers to my farmers market
10 things you could sell at a farmers' market
Even though it's called a "farmers' market," you don't have to be a farmer to sell at one. There are many ways to connect with people and make money at the same time. Need ideas for things to sell at a farmers' market? Some of the things that could be sold at a farmers market are:
Produce
You don't have to be a farmer to sell at a farmer's market, but if you are, you can bring your customers your freshly grown goods. Local fruits and vegetables that are in season sell well, but don't forget about unique items that you won't find in most grocery stores (think colorful heirloom tomatoes or purple cauliflower). Make sure that no matter what you bring, you only give your customers the freshest, best-quality food.
How do I get more customers to my farmers market
Don't feel like you have to eat only fruits and vegetables. Mushrooms and fresh herbs that you've grown yourself also sell very well at farmers' markets, giving you more ways to make extra money.
Milk, Meat & Eggs
If you raise cows and chickens, it's obvious that you should bring your milk, meat, and eggs to the market to share with your neighbors and make money. People like to buy these things at farmers' markets because they are fresh and because many people would rather buy from small farms that treat their animals well than from big factories that may not.
You don't own a ranch, but you like to hunt? At the farmers' market, you can buy and sell venison, bison, and other wild game. And it's not just about fresh meat. You can always sell dried meats and jerky that you've marinated, cured, and dried yourself.
How do I get more customers to my farmers market
Baked Goods
Your family and friends think you could be the next Betty Crocker, so why not sell your baked goods to the masses? If you like to bake, there are a lot of ways to make money and a lot of things you can do at your local farmers' market. In your spare time, bake your own cookies, cakes, pies, scones, and cinnamon rolls and sell them to people. Again, you can think outside the box to make more money by selling unique things like treats for dogs or treats for people with special dietary needs (i.e. vegan or gluten-free).
Flowers, plants, and young seeds
People add color to the inside and outside of their homes from season to season with flowers, plants, and houseplants. Customers often choose to buy from local growers instead of big-box home improvement stores. This is because local growers sell both common and rare species of plants, as well as flower baskets that add color to the front porch.
You don't even have to wait for plants and flowers to fully grow. Some shoppers may want to buy seedlings that they can plant and grow themselves. Herbs and succulents are also popular options to think about.
How do I get more customers to my farmers market
If you grow roses, tulips, lilies, or other beautiful flowers, you can also make unique arrangements that shoppers may buy for weddings, prom, Valentine's Day, or even "just because."
Honey
If you keep bees, sell your delicious honey at the farmers' market to get paid for your hard work and that of your bees. People can buy high-quality honey to use as a natural sweetener, but there are other reasons to eat honey from their own area. Local raw honey is often sold as a natural home remedy that can help with seasonal allergies, soothe sore throats, kill bacteria, or even help you get a good night's sleep.
How do I get more customers to my farmers market
Do you want your honey to stand out? Change the way you process your honey to make creamed honey, or add natural flavors to make your own blend of honey that is special to you.
Also, don't forget that pollen granules are good for your health and your pocketbook. These tiny pellets are becoming more popular because people think they are good for your health. They are made of nectar, saliva, and pollen. Pollen granules can be used to treat inflammation, boost the immune system, lower stress, and help with other health problems.
Soap and skin care items
As we learn more about the chemicals in everyday household items, more and more people are turning away from these potentially harmful ingredients and going for a more natural route. Set up a booth at your local farmers' market to sell your natural soaps, lotions, and other skin care products if you've found the perfect recipe.
As more people choose natural products, the farmers' market in your area is a great place to sell your goods. There are a lot of things you can do in this area, like making your own natural (and great-smelling) bug spray or natural sugar scrubs and deodorants.
One thing to remember is that at a farmers' market, you can be more than one thing. For example, if you keep bees, you can sell honey, pollen granules, and natural beauty products made from pollen, honey, or beeswax.
How do I get more customers to my farmers market
Beverages
Need ideas for things to sell at the farmers' market? Look no further than the kid with the lemonade stand in the neighborhood. The good news is that you don't have to just sell lemonade, although selling freshly squeezed lemonade to hot shoppers is a simple way to make some extra cash.
If you make your own local wine or mead, brew your own craft beers, or even make a great cup of hot apple cider, selling drinks can help bring in customers. You can use your booth or display to show off your homemade drinks, or you can sell drinks along with other things. People who go to farmers' markets often want to find unique items that they can't get at their local grocery store, so think outside the box.
Ready-made foods
People can get hungry after spending a long time at the farmers' market. Why make hungry customers drive to restaurants when you can bring the food to them? If you own a food truck, you might want to bring some of your delicious food to the farmers' market. If you have some free time on the weekends, a partnership with a local farmers' market can bring customers and money to your business.
Arts & Crafts
Locally made arts and crafts sell well at farmers' markets, no matter if you are a professional artist or just a hobbyist. No matter what kind of art you create, a farmers' market is a great place to sell it.
At your local farmers' market, you can sell things like paintings, drawings, embroidered items, crocheted blankets, hand-painted T-shirts, pottery, wood carvings, sculptures, and homemade greeting cards.
How do I get more customers to my farmers market
Other Unique Goods
You don't like any of the things on the list? Then use the skills that only you have. The great thing about the farmers' market is that there aren't too many rules about what you can sell there. You can't sell anything illegal or dangerous, but you can be creative and bring something new to the table. What can you give that no one else can?
Strange spices, goods from other cultures, candles made by hand, and so on.
Think about what your customers want or need is one way to sell things well. For example, if you live in a place known for its tasty barbecue, you might want to sell your own dry rubs or barbecue sauce. Make sure that whatever you decide to sell is unique so that you can get the most customers. People like to buy handmade and natural goods, but vintage clothes and shoes may also sell quickly. No matter what you do, make sure that what you want to sell is allowed in the market you choose.
How to Get a Booth at a Farmer's Market: 7 Tips
Once you've decided to sell at your local farmers' market and picked out what you want to sell, the hard part is over, right? No, not really. Whether you want to sell once in a while to make some extra money or you want to sell your goods to the community to make a steady income, there are some steps you need to take to improve your chances of success.
1. Look for farmer's markets near you, How do I get more customers to my farmers market
Once you know what you want to sell, you need to decide where to sell it. And just like the things you can buy from sellers, each farmers' market is different. Visit each farmers' market yourself to learn more about the culture, people, and goods there. Keep an eye out for markets that need what you have to offer, but don't forget to look for a farmers' market that's right for you. For example, if you're an artist and there aren't any other artists around and you don't feel comfortable selling your work, keep looking. Find a market that allows dogs if you want to bring your four-legged friend with you.
How do I get more customers to my farmers market
You can also use the Internet to find out more about the farmers' market in your city and the areas around it. Lastly, you should get an idea of how to sign up. This process varies from market to market, but you should know that vendor registration windows aren't always open, and you may need to sign up weeks, months, or even years ahead of time to get a spot. To find out more about becoming a vendor, you can look for this information online or talk to a manager in person.
2. Find out about local laws and health rules
Nothing will stop your business faster than if the health department or local authorities shut it down. Do some research to find out about local laws and health rules, like how produce and ready-to-eat food must be stored or how baked goods are made. Laws and rules vary, so you should contact the health department in your area to find out more.
3. Come up with a business plan
Even if selling at a farmers' market feels more like a hobby than a business, it never hurts to make a business plan before you start. You can use this business plan to explain your goals, how you plan to pay for your business, and how you will market it. If the idea of a one-inch-thick business plan scares you, don't worry: a one-page plan is enough to keep you on track. You don't know where to begin? Learn how to quickly make a one-page business plan.
4. Get money to start up and make a budget
Even though selling your homemade goods at a farmers' market can be one of the cheaper ways to make money, there are still some costs to think about. A rental fee for a booth is one of the most common costs. You also need to think about other costs, like signs for your booth, tablecloths and other things to make your display look better, price stickers, and the cost of materials and packaging for samples. Even though it seems like a small amount, these small costs can quickly add up if you're not careful. Before you start selling, figure out if you need money and make a budget that you stick to. Need more advice? Check out our How to Start a Side Business guide.
5. Look into how to register a business
Depending on the rules in your area, you may need to get your business registered before you can sell at a farmers' market. When you sign up to be a vendor at some farmers' markets, you have to give them an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). If you need an EIN, the Internal Revenue Service makes it easy and free to get one. Get in touch with the farmers' market you're interested in to find out what you need to do to sell there.
How do I get more customers to my farmers market
6. Look into insurance for businesses
Some farmers' markets make their vendors get their own insurance for their businesses. Even if this isn't required, you should still look into your options to protect yourself from legal trouble. If you don't know where to start, read our article on general liability insurance for your business and call the farmers' market you want to sell at to find out if insurance is required. They might even know of local insurance companies that are used by other vendors.
7. Get software for keeping records
Do you really need accounting software, even if you're just making a little extra money on the side? Yes, you do, and even though it might be annoying right now, you'll be glad you did it later. No matter how much money you make at a farmers' market, you should always keep track of your money. How should I do that? Software for accounting.
The good news is that there are a lot of low-cost (or even free) options that are easy to use, even if you have never done accounting before. Keeping track of your finances will show you how much money you're making and where you're spending it. This will help you figure out what you can change to make more money. When it's time to pay your taxes, you'll also be glad you kept track of your money. If you don't know where to start, check out some of the best accounting software for small businesses on our list.
How to Take Payments at Your Farmers' Market Booth
In a world where paying with plastic is quickly becoming the norm, you might be wondering if you should take credit cards at your farmers' market booth. There is no clear answer, but here are some things to think about before making your choice.
Taking credit card payments
With mobile point-of-sale (POS) apps, accepting credit cards is easier than ever. You can easily accept debit and credit cards with just your phone or tablet and a card reader from your chosen provider. You don't need a lot of heavy equipment or complicated systems. Here are the best mobile pos readers, and you could even get extras like stickers that say your booth accepts debit and credit cards.
How do I get more customers to my farmers market
Another thing to think about is whether or not you'll take large orders or orders that are made to order. If so, you'll need to be able to make invoices so that you can keep track of your orders and get paid by your customers. Let's say it's getting close to the holidays and someone has asked you to make baked goods for a Christmas party. Sending your customer an invoice that can be paid online is a good way to make sure you get paid before you spend time and money on the order. Some mobile POS systems let you make and send invoices. If your POS app doesn't let you do this, you can use separate invoicing software.
Taking money
On the other hand, you don't have to let people pay with credit cards. Many farmers' markets are set up for people who want to pay with plastic, so they sell tokens that can be used to buy things from the vendors. At the end of the day, these tokens can be exchanged for cash, giving the seller their money. You can also take care of cash by yourself. Check out our article Can You Really Run A Cash-Only Business? if you're thinking about only accepting cash.
Participants in SNAP are given an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which can be used at participating stores like a debit card. This includes grocery stores, gas stations, and yes, even farmers' markets and stands on the side of the road. This system makes it easy for you to accept EBT without making you jump through hoops.
How do I get more customers to my farmers market
Most farmers' markets have a way for SNAP participants to use their EBT cards to buy tokens. Then, these tokens can be used to buy things. Many states have "double-up" programs that give SNAP recipients extra money for shopping at farmer's markets. These programs match every dollar spent (up to a certain amount), so these households can use their benefits to buy more healthy and nutritious food. Note that stores that want to take SNAP EBT benefits must apply to the USDA for an EBT license.
Through the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, farmers' market vendors can also accept WIC coupons. WIC is a program that helps women, babies, and children get extra nutrition (FMNP). Coupons for the FMNP are given to WIC participants who are eligible. These coupons are separate from their regular WIC benefits. In order for your farmers' market or roadside stand to accept WIC FMNP coupons, it needs to be approved by the WIC FMNP agency in your state.