Market Tips for First-Time Vendors

1. Grow your market by cultivating a loyal clientele.

2. Get top prices when you have top quality products

3. Achieve success by delivering excellent customer service.

If you are not a “people person”, send another family member or hire a well-trained employee.

4. To encounter friends, appreciative customers, remember:

Customers shop at farmers’ markets because they want to meet the people who grow their food, and they want fresh, high-quality products.

5. Invest your time wisely:

By preparing and leaving enough time for travel.
Be ready to sell at opening bell. The majority of your sales may occur within the market’s first hour.

6. Bring everything you need.

Most market stalls are a 10’ x 10’ bare piece of concrete. See the sample checklist below.

What to Bring

Careful planning for market is essential to your success. Be on time and ready to sell by the opening bell. The majority of your market day sales may occur within the first hour of the market. Make a checklist! Examples of items to include:

Canopy (white is best) and weights for each leg of the canopy
Stall structure: tables, table covering, racks, shelves
Display containers for your product
Plastic and paper bags
Cash box and bank (be ready to make change for $20 bills!)
Licensed scale
Hand washing station (see Farmers Market Minimum Food Safety Guidelines for details, page 69)
Miscellaneous display items: sign making materials including chalk, paper, cardboard, markers, scissors, tape, pens, bags, price tags, pocket knife, duct tape.
Check out items: pencils, pens, calculator, sales record/receipt book, notepad, bags, boxes, flats.
Trashcan, broom
Signs: the more personal, the better. Consider using pictures!
- Large sign or banner hung at eye level or above with your farm’s name and location.
- Individual product names and prices alongside of the items—how the item is sold (by weight, piece, quantity)—highlight different varieties, heirlooms, product qualities (sweet, spicy, bitter), storage tips, etc.
- Signage extras: recipes, how-to’s, seasonality information, new item, product information.
Information about your farm, CSA or other on-farm activities, promotional materials, business cards—you never know when you will meet a chef!
Personal comfort items: weather gear, gloves, hats, rainwear, and drinking water.
Your customer service personality—a big smile is your best asset.