What to Do Before Becoming a Vendor at the Farmer’s Market
When we think about ways to diversify our businesses, we might not rush right to thoughts of selling our products at the local farmer’s market. However, your local market is an excellent place to enhance brand awareness, attract new customers, and sell quality products directly to your community. So, take a moment to learn about what to do before becoming a vendor at the farmer’s market and see if it’s the right path for you.
Determine if You’re a Good Fit for the Market
Before you can start selling your products and services, consider whether what you’re offering your customers is a good fit for your local farmer’s market. For instance, if you run an all-organic grocery store or bakery, the transition from storefront to a market vendor will be natural.
However, if you sell things like graphic design services or website development, you may want to focus on expanding in other ways. Because there are so many different products, services, and businesses out there, look into how well you’ll fit into the farmer’s market scene before becoming an official vendor.
Figure Out What You Want To Sell
Of course, once you figure out if you’re a good fit for the local market, you’ll need to make a shortlist of products or services you’d like to sell. If you specialize in dog treats or dog food, will you sell a few of your ethically sourced bone-marrow chews or offer everything on your menu? If gourmet meal packets and homegrown produce are your specialties, will you sell meals or sell your best produce in bulk? Once you have a shortlist handy, it becomes easier to find your niche and plan accordingly.
Obtain the Proper Licenses and Permits
Next, ensure that you have the proper permits and licenses to become an official vendor at your farmer’s market. For instance, if you’re looking to specialize in gluten or dairy-free products, you may be required to get a permit or license that says your ingredients qualify as allergen-free. Being a product vendor of any kind usually entails that you register your business with a specific market and adhere to their rules and regulations. So, make sure you know about all the proper paperwork before you start setting up your booth.
Set Up Your Booth With Customers in Mind
When you set up your booth, keep your customers at the forefront of your mind. You want your products and services to attract customers. So, if you’re selling produce, bring coolers to keep the produce crisper for longer. If you’re selling herbs or jewelry, design an attractive sign that clearly describes your products and their quality. Making your booth appealing and customer-oriented will help you sell more at your farmer’s market. It will also help a broader customer base become better acquainted with your brand and mission.
Hopefully, scanning this overview provides some additional insight into what to do before becoming a vendor at the farmer’s market, as well as the benefits that come with expanding your business this way.
