What It Takes To Sell At The Farmers Market
It's a new life, with new worries and responsibilities. There are no more regular paychecks every two weeks, no health insurance, no free weekends - when you're in business for yourself. But there are also many rewards in being your "own boss". You work for yourself - and nobody tells you what to do. You're in total control of your success - or failure. It's up to you.
As a chef, the obvious first choice for me was to "make something good" and sell it at the local farmers market. There are several things to observe when you want to set up a booth and make a living from direct sales at a market. Let me tell you about my experiences with selling at the farmers market...
Scenes From The Sunset Valley Farmers Market In Austin, Texas
People talk about my product - Agasweet flavored agave nectar
Agasweet flavored agave nectar
Agasweet users comment, and Chef Keem talks about this healthy, all-natural sweetener.
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You'll Have To Submit A Vendor Application
Here are some important parts of the preliminary paper work
Please provide copies of all the licenses and permits you currently have to operate your business. These may include: commercial kitchen license, nursery permit, organic certification, dairy permit, mobile vending license, and others.
Vendors are responsible for the quality and safety of what they sell.
After that, you'll sign a "hold harmless" agreement, list your employees - if applicable, pay the fee and you're done.
Here's what I need for my specialty food business:
Food manufacturer's license
Information for food manufacturers on the site of the Texas Health Department.
Liability insurance
This is important! Every food manufacturer should have liability insurance. When you start selling in the big leagues - Whole Foods Market, etc., theses companies won't accept your product without prove of insurance. You need at least a 1 million/2 million policy and that can be expensive for a start-up. Some insurance companies charge $1,500 or more per year. I found a super deal with The Hartford Group, at $350/year!
Legal business name
Government guide to business name law.
Sales tax
Depending on your business, you might or might not have to pay sales taxes. Here's relevant info for the State of Texas.
Mobile vendor's license
If you want to sell from a cart, truck, or tent (at a farmer's market, for instance), you must have a current vendor's license.
Food manager certificate
This is a required food safety and sanitation training in all states.
Apply for the last two licenses at your County Health Department.
Terry sells wonderful smoked salmon!
Beautiful Colors Of The Farmers Markets...
The Farmers Market crowd browsing the peppers on display.
Selling At The Market - What Does It Cost Me?
Fees, tent, tables, decoration, signage...oh, boy!
Currently, I sell my Agasweet flavored agave nectar at two markets in Austin, Texas - on Tuesdays and Saturdays. One charges $35 per day and a yearly $150 membership fee. The other market costs $20 per day if I pay for the whole month in advance (no annual fee).I have a 10'x10' tent, two folding tables, one chair, a 10' banner, 2 folding racks, table oil cloth, and table signs for my market outlet. The prices vary vastly for these items and often you can find quite useful props, baskets, racks, etc. at garage sales or in thrift shops.
Further down you'll find some eBay deals on tents and canopies.
Look! Lensmaster beeobrien stopped by for a chat!
America's Top Farmers Markets
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Sunset Valley Farmers Market, Austin, TX
I sell here!2 points
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What A Pretty Farmers Market!
Sunset Valley Farmers Market In Austin, Texas
Our Saturday morning job...
When The Weather Gods Are Mad...
...they send thunderstorms across the market place! It can get really ugly when the tents start flying. Believe me - I've been there! People can get hurt, cars get dented and windows get smashed. It's horrible! I've seen shelves turned over by a gust of wind, merchandise falling and dollar bills flying away. Sometimes, markets get canceled because of bad weather. That means a week without income. Unless...
...eBay to the rescue! Yes, I sell on eBay and sales are getting better and better. Look!
My Agasweet Flavored Agave Nectar On eBay...
Great deals below retail - to compensate for the shipping!
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I recommend "Gourmet Station" for fabulous dinners delivered to your doorstep!
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- OhMe OhMe Oct 18, 2009 @ 3:57 am
- This is great. I love Farmers Markets and am lensrolling to my lens about the Pendleton Farmers Market which is very small but fun! Blessed!
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- chefkeem chefkeem Sep 14, 2009 @ 5:15 pm | in reply to CherylK
- Wow, Cheryl - it would be so nice to visit with you! Ft. Worth is about 4 hours by car from Austin. But it's worth it to see Austin, over the weekend. Hope to see you! :-)
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- CherylK CherylK Sep 14, 2009 @ 4:55 pm
- Great lens! We may be spending the month of January 2010 in Fort Worth (housesitting). How far is Fort Worth from Austin...would love to visit you at your Farmers' Market!
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- spicymiss spicymiss Jul 18, 2009 @ 10:07 pm
- Hi Chef Keem,
Found you on Squidoo! Here is my site Dash of Masala on Squidoo: http://www.squidoo.com/Food--Indian-cuisine--healthy-meals
Thanks so much for the wonderful information on this page.
- Jaya
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- mulberry mulberry Jun 3, 2009 @ 11:10 am
- I don't sell at Farmer's Markets but I do enjoy going to them, some of the best products are found there for sure!
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- Victoria_Neely Victoria_Neely May 2, 2009 @ 9:25 pm
- Farmers markets are way more fun to shop at than grocery stores. They usually have better veggies. And plants! And honey! And baked goodies! And... and... stuff!!
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- Ramkitten Ramkitten Apr 23, 2009 @ 12:53 pm
- We used to sell at a Farmers Market in Kent, Connecticut as well as at a self-serve stand out in front of the house. The market was such fun and a great way to meet both locals and visitors. I also really enjoyed setting up our table each week, making it look nice. Anyway, this lens brings back memories. I miss all that veggie-growing and selling sometimes. Often.
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- jaye3000 jaye3000 Apr 15, 2009 @ 4:53 pm
- Really good lens- gotta love the farmer's markets. Ours is pretty shabby in comparison though :)
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- GrowWear GrowWear Jan 24, 2009 @ 5:23 pm
- Loved my visit to the farmer's market here on this page. :)
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- luvmyludwig luvmyludwig Jan 18, 2009 @ 10:29 am
- Welcome to the Squidoo Skidoo group, it's great to have you join us.
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Lensmaster chefkeem has been a member since January 29 2008, has rated 2,718 lenses, favorited 2,128, and has created 134 lenses from scratch. Achim Thiemermann donates their royalties to Squidoo Charity Fund and Operation Helmet. This member's top-ranked page is "Best Tres Leches Coconut Macaroons". See all my lenses
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