What Can You Expect at Our Local Farmers Market This Weekend?

[pattikake]

My recruit & I are renting a space at our local farmers market this weekend. This is a new venture for us, as well as our community - usually the closest market is 18 miles from here.

We would like to have some food samples to highlight some of the products. I'm thinking the triple citrus mojitos, as I am overloaded with mint! What else, if anything, would you suggest?

 

[newchefmommy]

I sell from time to time at a local farmers market. Although it draws a lot of people I do not bring food along due to the fact that people will just sample it and move on...

 

[Jennie4PC]

This may be a stupid question but are you going to put the alcohol in the mojitos?? I would leave them alcohol free to be on the safe side.

 

[DebbieJ]

You do not have a food service license so do not serve food unless you want to be fined.

 

[cmdtrgd]

Why serve food? You should be working on a beautiful display to get people to your table. At booths you are looking for contacts, too, not necessarily sales.

 

[pattikake]

Thank you for all the replies .. I spoke with the coordinator today and she said food was fine - but will re-think this now -- thanks for bringing up the food service license. This is all new to me, so I wouldn't have thought of this.

We are having a display as well - featuring summertime and grilling season. And yes, we are there to gather leads/contacts.

 

[cmdtrgd]

Food gets in the way, can spoil, can give people food poisoning, brings people to your booth that are only there for the food, etc. I don't even like to have wrapped candy at my booths. However, there are mooches who will eat ANYTHING - even raw, unwashed potatoes that were sliced by the UM and have been sitting out....ewww

 

[mrssyvo]

I have a booth at the Farmer's Market, for every Saturday, and I never have food. People do not even expect it. I do take a couple potatoes, if anyone wants to try the mandoline or food chopper.

 

[peichef]

For displays at trade shows, etc. I always bring some potatoes / turnips / onions (inexpensive produce) to demo the UM, crinkle cutter, apple wedger, food chopper, etc.
People can "play" with the tools.

 

[c00p]

Sorry to sort-of hi-jack, but do you actually benefit from doing the Farmer's Markets? I was actually just contacted about one locally, but I'm trying to decide if it would be worth it or not.

 

[pattikake]

Ours was in a very small community, for 2 hours on a Sunday afternoon. We ended up with 2 bookings, 2 orders and many new contacts .. It was worth it for us.

 

[mrssyvo]

I am amazed by what The Farmer's Market has done for my business. I moved to the area in March, started the Farmer's Market 1st of June, and it has been incredible. An extra $1000 in sales a month, tons of new contacts and referrals, etc. Besides that, it is FUN!!!!!!

 

[Jillybill]

Sorry to sort of hijack, but mrssyvo, how much do you pay for your booth? Do you pay weekly or monthly?

 

[mrssyvo]

I only paid $100 for the entire season (1st Saturday in June until the last Saturday in October) That is only $5 a week!!!!!! I have paid $400 for a bridal expo for 3 hours !

 

[pamperedpals]

I only paid $100 for the entire season (1st Saturday in June until the last Saturday in October) That is only $5 a week!!!!!! I have paid $400 for a bridal expo for 3 hours !

Wow, that is awesome! What happen's if you have other plans one of those Saturday's do you just not show up or do you let them know in advance?

 

[buzz26]

I am amazed by what The Farmer's Market has done for my business. I moved to the area in March, started the Farmer's Market 1st of June, and it has been incredible. An extra $1000 in sales a month, tons of new contacts and referrals, etc. Besides that, it is FUN!!!!!!

For those of you who do Farmer's Markets...do you sell from the catalog or do cash & carry?

I'm doing a local one in October and supposedly it's supposed to be really big. I was thinking of having all the spices for sale. I was going to send in my own show for spices. Do you think it's too big of a risk? Or do you think they will sale?

It's a fall festival.

 

[leahevanson]

I think that a spice show would be a good idea, but I would also have some of the favorite handy if you're doing cash n carry. I would think some Season's Best, Food Choppers, etc.