Tips for Selling Your Produce at a Farmer's Market

Farmer's Markets are popping up in almost every town throughout the Midwest. These markets are a combination of small farmers and hobby gardeners who sell their surplus for profit. While the competition is still small, each year more and more people are selling at the markets so the competition is growing. To be a top seller at your Farmer's Market read on for some great tips to make your booth stand out and attract the buyers!

The most important thing you can do to assure high sales while at the Farmer's Market is your presentation. Present your produce and goods as though they are treasures. To do this make sure your booth is very clean and free from excess junk. Be sure to print out price and label signs. Handwritten signs can be ok if you are artistic and can make them look very professional. A sign or banner over you can really make your booth stand out among the crowd. Aim for creating a professional appeal and the buyers will come to you first.

At the Farmer's Market it is true that they early bird gets the worm. If you are late or not ready when the first shoppers come through, you may miss some of the best shoppers. The shoppers that are the most serious about buying fresh produce will be there the moment the market opens, so be sure that your presentation is complete and you are prepared to sell before the opening time. If you can be the first to serve the customers, you will get the best sales. Often the buyers go where the crowd is by assuming the best products are with the crowd.

It is also important to have an abundance of produce. Stands that have only a few vegetables struggle to compete with the bigger farmers. If you cannot bring a lot of produce, you may want to skip out that week and wait until your produce is ready to sell.

Selection of vegetables is also of utmost importance. Only select the highest grade vegetables to bring to the market. Leave all damaged produce at home. Be sure that you are bringing all the vegetables and products you have that they buyers will desire. Try to find a selection of vegetables that may not be as plentiful at the market. Do your research the year before to see what the market is lacking so that you can plan to provide and fill the hole.

Naming the right price for your produce is also very important. I wouldn't suggest lowering your price below everyone else as this may appear that you don't felel your produce is as valuable. A great way to attract buyers is with bonus buys. For example: Buy 3 cucumbers get one free, or have small floral arrangements for every purchase over $20. These are small costs to you, but will give the buyer an extra reason to purchase from your booth. These small bonuses will also leave your buyers with a reason to come back.

Service is of course very important at the market. People are looking for kind, friendly vendors that are reputable. If you have a bad reputation at the Farmer's Market, you aren't going to make it through the year. Buyers are very loyal, so aim for the best service you can provide to keep them coming back to your booth!

Organic produce is very hot right now, so if you can gain an organic label at your booth, you will succeed. Many small farmers follow organic farming practices which require no chemicals of any sort. Organic food brings in a higher dollar as well.

Farmer's Markets are lots of fun to attend as a vendor and a buyer. I love browsing through all the booths looking at all the produce and other home made items. Find a specialty that you can bring to the market and your booth will be unique and attract buyers.