Selling at your Local Farmers Market

[CajunFox]

Hello All,

Just want to get some input on who sells at your local farmers' market.  If you sold there, what sold good for you and any ideas for setups. (Tables, signs, tents for shade, scale, etc.)  What kinda of scale do ya'll recommend (brand).  In Louisiana, we need to have them "legal for trade" so that they can be calibrated and certified by the state.  Them rascals are not cheap!! Did you ever try to sell small plants and what kind did you sell most of?  What are ya'll plans for this year?  I'm looking into it to help cover my expenses. (tractor, fuel, fertilizer, seed, etc.)  I have 3 or 4 around my area that I can sell at and am excited to see if I can make a few bucks and show off a little of my produce.

Thanks

CajunFox

[thebayougardener]

To avoid the high cost of the "legal for sale" issue, why not sell by volume? 

Donald

[southernstyle]

Yeah I went through that too. On items like cukes, maters, squash and melons just sale them by $ for so many. On small things like beans I bag them and sale by the bunch, mess, bushel or peck.

S.S.

[SaBenDa]

The Farmers Market on Saturday mornings here in Covington seem to be loaded with buyers looking for anything that is fresh grown. I have noted that the established sellers seem to do better and move the product quicker...

David

[MAYOR]

I agree......
  Give them a bag and let them stuff whatever they can get in it for a set price on beans.
Cukes, melons, etc., each or 3 for $ or ?.
Corn....by the dozen or 1/2 dozen.
You can avoid scale sales pretty easy.

[owens47362]

I am waiting for stuff to come in yet before I hit the farmers market. I have so much stuff that is just not ready. I am not complaining it is just notihng is ready and I thought I did a good job of getting stuff out early. anyway I have a green house for next year and that should help with getting stuff to market sooner. cukes are coming on. hurry up and wait for the beans. sweet corn is on the way.

[whiskydog]

I have gone to a local market a few times this year.  One tip I can share is customers are looking for small tender vegetables,  don't show large squash, okra, or any thing that may be tough with size, keep that to put up your selves.