Anyone sell at farmers' markets?

Ralphy · Post by **Ralphy** » Sun Jun 10, 2012 7:12 pm

Anyone have experience selling anything at farmers' markets? Can you make some money there as a hobby business, or is it typically more of an outlet for already established, full-time businesses?
I've had some encouragement to try selling my bread, but it seems like I'd have to sell a lot just to break even on the market start-up costs (stall rental, insurance, application fee, etc). Maybe I'll stick with the black market

riparian · Post by **riparian** » Thu Jun 14, 2012 7:00 pm

I do, but it doesn't sound like my experience is what yours would be - my expenses are just ten percent of sales at the end of the day, and the customers are tourists who get herded off the buses right in front of me. For what it's worth, the bread lady does really well and has a constant stream of locals.

jennypenny · Post by **jennypenny** » Thu Jun 14, 2012 7:06 pm

Our town has a farmer's market, but when I looked into getting a license to sell prepared food it was cumbersome and very expensive. (in my town you're not even allowed to bring homemade food into schools anymore)

tac · Post by **tac** » Thu Jun 14, 2012 7:52 pm

What I have experienced is similar to jennypenny. Selling anything cooked/baked often requires special licensing, taking a food safety course, etc. However, I think it varies a LOT by state, so you may have a more/less restrictive local government than I do.
You might want to make friends with someone who has already gone through the licensing process and perhaps see if you can piggyback onto their stall in exchange for a cut. Maybe team up with someone selling jams/jellies, honey, butter, cheese...anything that goes well with bread.

George the original one · Thu Jun 14, 2012 8:35 pm

*** Thread hijack ***
@jennypenny - do you mean you can't send sack lunches with the kids or do you mean that bake sales are verboten?

jennypenny · Post by **jennypenny** » Thu Jun 14, 2012 8:50 pm

@George--Lunches are still ok (so far). You can't have bake sales, can't send in homemade treats for birthdays or parties, and have to use caterers for school events that provide a meal (like PTA events).
Edit: basically, you can't send in homemade food for anyone other than your own child.

Ralphy · Post by **Ralphy** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 3:33 am

For our local market, I think the weekly stall fee and requirement of insurance will keep me on the sidelines. I do like the idea of trying to jump in with an established vendor, though.