The Best Things To Sell At A Farmer’s Market
Outdoor markets are popping up everywhere and are a great way to get fresh produce and homemade natural products.
If you are interested in starting your own home-based business, you might be wondering what to sell at a farmer’s market to make money yourself.
Starting your own farmers market business can be an easy way to test out a side hustle without a huge investment.
But without knowing what sells best at farmers markets, you might run into the worst case scenario of expending effort on a business that makes no money.
In this post, we will look at popular farmers market items to turn a profit and have fun.
Put your creativity to work and you will see possibilities in your backyard or even within your skillset, you’ll be amazed at the enjoyable and unexpected ways you can make money.
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Researching What To Sell At A Farmer’s Market
If you want to find unique things to sell at farmers market, the first step is to do some market research.
This involves actually visiting your local farmers market and doing some recon.
Instead of just running through to pick up produce for the week, take your time examining what you see and what’s going on there.
You need to look at what is actually sold at a farmers market to know what you should be selling.
This will give you the change to create a good business plan so that you can ensure the best results for your efforts.
If you have the chance, visit a couple of farmers’ markets to get a feel for any gaps in the market at the one closest to you.
What kinds of business are there? Is it mainly small farms and local producers or is there a range of products.
What are people selling at their farm stands? Of course, the standard farm products such as uncut produce and animal products are available.
But what else is there beside agricultural products? Maybe there are freshly-cut herbs, pretty baskets of assorted soaps, and even some small hand-crafted tools for the kitchen, like whisks or cleaning brushes.
The other thing to check out is the methods of payment available at your local farmer’s market. Can you pay by credit card?
Do you see your products and services being a good fit?
Choosing What To Sell At A Farmer’s Market
Now it is time to work on your own farmer’s market business.
You have done the market research so you know the different ways to make money with your farm stand.
Now take a look at things you’re good at and what you do that earns kudos from others. Are any of these things potential farmers market products?
Your next income stream might flow from something you love to do.
What are you good at?
Maybe you love to try different soup recipes.
Why not buy up some quart-size Mason jars and sell your freshly-made and jarred soups at the farmer’s market?
If people rave over your five-ingredient homemade bread, maybe it’s time to start a cottage industry baking and selling loaves of it.
Perhaps your garden isn’t all that large but you love to get fresh produce and make your own salsas and jellies.
With a case or two of pint-sized wide mouthed jars, you’d be all set for next week’s market
Stick with simple, natural ingredients to make things easy for you. Remember, customers love the idea of buying something that’s homemade.
Look at your hobbies
Some of the best things to sell at farmers markets are what you already know how to make.
Perhaps you think there’s nothing more fun than making home-made soaps and tying them up in stacks of two or three to give to friends for birthdays and holiday gifts.
You love seeing all the pretty colors and smelling all the fragrances and the idea of others using soaps you made yourself.
Another option is Handmade Jewelry, you can get most of the supplies online or at craft stores.
The key to finding something great is finding that sweet spot between doing something you love and being able to turn a profit selling it.
The Best Selling Items At Farmer’s Markets
Below you will find the top best sellers at farmers market stands throughout the country.
- Food Products – uncut fruit and vegetables
- Baked goods
- Mason Jars filled with food
- Homemade dog and pet treats
- Edible Gifts
- Handmade Crafts
- Wood Crafts
- Knitted and Crocheted items
- Handmade Soap
- Bath Bombs
- Candles
- Natural Remedies
- Resin Crafts
What To Sell At A Farmer’s Market
Just to get your creative juices flowing, here are the best selling farmer’s markets items:
1. Food Products
When we think of farmer’s markets, we normally think of food vendors who are local growers. After all, most people go to farmers’ markets for fresh fruits and vegetables.
This means that organic, locally grown and seasonal produce is always one of the best things to sell at farmers market stands.
If you don’t have a large backyard, can you make use of a community garden near you?
Even if you are not a farmer or a gardener, you can still make the most of market season selling all kinds of specialty items as a farmers’ market vendor.
Here are some ideas:
2. Baked Goods
Who doesn’t love a fresh-baked treat to take home with them or present as a special gift to someone?
The best baked goods to sell at a farmers market are usually seasonal and homemade.
Think of things such as small wrapped clusters of cookies or candies, baked cakes, muffins, cinnamon rolls, and the like.
If your forte is making such goodies, this could be the way to go.
The greater variety of goods you can sell, the better!
Make sure to check with your local state or municipal laws before starting a business that sells food to the public.
3. Mason Jar Gifts
Looking for crafts that sell well at farmers markets but you aren’t especially crafty?
If baking or knitting isn’t your thing, consider selling mason jars filled with the ingredients for cookies, bars, bean soups, or even cocoa mixes.
These kinds of gifts are always farmers market best sellers and they are so easy to make yourself!
People love buying these for gifts or just for themselves and they are always in high demand at my local farmer’s market.
Print up a decorative label and instructions on how to mix up or cook the food and tie a decorative square of fabric over the top of the jar.
Here is a list of fun mason jar gifts you can make and sell
4. Dog Treats
Did you know that the top selling baked goods at flea markets and farmer’s stands aren’t even for humans?
Dog treats are one of the more unique items to sell at farmers market stalls which means you won’t have to beat as many competitors.
Making these fun products also means you can avoid the required facilities inspections that come with selling edible items.
These are hugely popular at Farmer’s markets because people love giving their pets all natural and homemade products.
To get started with your own dog treat business, you can take a free course from the Diva Dog Bakery. This will show you the basics of what you need to know when selling dog goodies at your local market.
5. Edible Gifts
Still stuck on things to sell at farmers markets?
The last food item that sells really well are unique items that you can’t buy at the local grocery store.
Consider items such as all natural peanut butter , fruit butters and jams and trendy items such as hot chocolate bombs.
Bear in mind that you don’t need to be a baker or a cook in order to become a farmers market vendor.
You can also sell handmade or locally made items that you buy on a wholesale basis.
One popular item at my local market are cocktail bombs that come from Quebec. You can’t really buy them in stores so they have become a niche item at my local farmers market .
6. Handmade Crafts
There are so many wonderful crafts to sell at a farmers market in order to make money.
Anything handmade is always popular at flea markets, craft fairs and farmer’s markets.
For example, Christmas Ornaments are popular year round, especially if they are well-made.
Other popular hand crafts include beauty products, clothing and household goods.
7. Wood Crafts
Maybe grandpa taught you how to make small carvings from wood. You like to do it but you never know what to do with all the left-over creations.
Selling them at the farmer’s market is your answer.
Wood crafts always sell really well at flea markets and farmers markets and if you are handy, you can really turn a great profit.
Think of things such as wooden welcome signs, furniture made out of wooden pallets and giftable items like kitchen utensils.
Here are some ideas for wood crafts to make:
10 Handmade Wood Projects That Sell
38 Woodworking Projects That Sell
25 Fun Wood Lathe Projects That Sell Well
8. Knitted and Crocheted Items
Many people love the idea of given a hand-crafted gift to others or even treating themselves to something extravagant from time to time.
Whether you are into crocheting as a side hustle or knitting, there are lots of things you can make and sell.
There are all kinds of ways to make money with knitting including:
- Washcloths
- Dishcloths
- Potholder
- Hats
- Change purses
- Water bottle carriers
- Baby blankets
Here are 8 Quick Gifts To Knit In A Weekend
9. Natural Remedies
Homemade products such as bug spray, elderberry syrup for sore throats and essential oil blends are all popular products to sell at a farmer’s market.
Natural, homemade cleaning products are also best sellers at farmers markets.
These types of items are extremely popular nowadays as people try and reduce their use of plastics and chemical products.
10. Handmade Soap
Natural soap is one of those things that you always see at farmer’s markets because it is so popular.
Tons of people use all natural handmade beauty products and selling homemade soap at farmers markets is a really great idea.
You can start your own handmade soap business and sell your products at your local farmers’ market and online.
11. Bath Bombs
Another handmade craft that sells really well at farmers markets are bath bombs.
The best time to sell these items are around holidays but they sell well all year long.
The nice thing about them is that you can make a lot of money selling bath bombs as the profit margins are huge.
12. Candles
One of the most popular handmade goods at farmers markets are candles.
Once you learn how to make them, you can experiment with all different kinds of candles and create a variety of products to sell on your market stall.
READ MORE: How To Sell Candles From Home in 8 Easy Steps
13. Resin Crafts
If you know how to make resin crafts, you have a great way to make extra money at your local farmers market.
Resin crafts such as cutting boards and wall art fetch high prices and are in high demand. They are also one of the most unique items to sell at a farmers market
For lots of ideas of products to make, check out my list of resin crafts to sell.
Tips For Starting A Farmers Market Stand
Play close attention when you visit your local market to see what other people are doing.
Notice how vendors are displaying their products. This is particularly important because it lends some info about what type of overhead costs you may generate to display your own wares and products when you become a farmers’ market vendor.
Are they simply laid out on a fold-out table? Is there a decorative table cloth? How are the items for sale packaged?
Are fresh herbs tied with decorative ribbon, simply spread out so people can pick up how much they want, or banded with a rubber band? Is there package wrapping to consider?
Look for simple, no-frills, yet attractive ways that products are displayed. Which product displays attract you? Make notes.
Ask yourself, “What’s missing?” Now that you have a good idea of what’s for sale, ponder what types of products you and others might like to purchase from the farmer’s market.
Look for signs or pamphlets about who’s in charge.
Usually, there’s someone you can talk to about how to become involved in the farmer’s market. If there’s a phone number or name of the organizers posted, write it down.
It may be the local town’s business association or chamber of commerce. Get down that info so you can call them later with your questions.
This information may also be found in the newspaper article that advertises the market.
How To Prepare Your Farm Stand
Attractively displaying and presenting your items will entice prospective customers to your table at the market.
How can you make your table pretty? Maybe all you’ll need is a one-color plastic tablecloth.
Think of color themes. Limit color selections on your table and packaging to no more than three to avoid looking “too busy.”
Consider how you’ll package your product.
If it’s fresh herbs, you may not need much but some light rubber bands and big baskets to display your bunched sprigs. If you’re selling homemade noodles using your grandma’s recipe, how will you inexpensively package them to look appetizing?
Include typed-up directions for anything that requires the customer to blend, mix, or put together a food item. Don’t forget to put your contact information somewhere on the product.
Make sure to have business cards at your market stall and create a social media presence for yourself. That way satisfied customers can buy from you after market season. It also means they can pass the word on about your products to friends and family.
Consider offering product samples to potential customers. Giving away free samples may seem counterintuitive but it is the best way to get new customers, especially if they are unfamiliar with your products.
Make payment easy for customers. If possible, you want to be able to take credit car payments as well as cash. Accepting credit cards is much easier nowadays with the advent of phone apps such as Square.
How To Become a Farmers’ Market Vendor
- Contact the organizers of the market by phone or in person when you go to the farmer’s market. Tell them you have a product you’d like to sell.
- Do you need a business license to sell your products at the market? Find out where you can apply for and obtain such a license.
- Tell the organizers about what you plan to sell and listen to any feedback they offer. Although they might not restrict you from selling your fresh herbs from your backyard herb garden, they may tell you they already have two regular vendors who sell them.
- Be prepared to pay a stall fee in order to sell your items at your local market.
- Consider getting liability insurance and make sure to adhere to all local laws, especially if you are selling edible items which may require a food safety course or a visit from the health department.
- Consider it an adventure to boost your income by trying your hand at the local farmer’s market. Wouldn’t it be great to have an additional income stream to pad your bank account?
What To Sell At Farmer’s Markets – Final Thoughts
Spending your Saturday morning at the local farmers’ market can be a great way to make money and get to know other local businesses.
Of course, deciding what to sell at a farmer’s market to actually make money can be tricky but this guide has (hopefully) given you lots of ideas.
While it can be hard work, the rewards are multiple do the legwork and sell a product that is high quality and in demand.
Whether you make food items or handcrafts, the local market is the perfect place to grow your side hustle. This article has given you some great ideas of what to sell at a farmer’s market – what will you be selling?
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