Selling at a Farmer's Market? Profitable at All?

My husband and I have been mulling taking some of our seedlings to the Farmer's Market in the spring. Along with seedlings, we could peddle wood and fabric craft gift items and houseplants. We grow and craft because we enjoy it, but some extra money would be helpful :)





I am curious if others have had any success at farmer's markets. If so, with what plants/wares. What kind of a profit margin would be expected on average? Can you give us any other advice? We're in southern MI.

Selling at a Farmer's Market? Profitable at All?
Even if I hadn't made any money I would have kept doing it once a week. I sold veggies last summer in Montana and had more fun than I thought possible getting to know the people of my small town and providing good food.





There's no way to know what will sell until you try. Get a good location, make clear, informative signs. Talk to people to make contact not just to sell.At the end of the day take products around to the other vendors for barter. Get kids involved.
Reply:Thank you for your comments! I appreciate them. I thought it would be pretty fun myself. Report It

Reply:Selling your wares at a Farmer's market can be very profitable. A lot depends on how popular the market is in your area. Nationwide, farmer's market are becoming more and more popular. As to your profit margin, it is hard to give you a definitive answer.





There is a lot of help available for people thinking about selling at farmer's markets. Your county extension office would be the first place I would try. They can usually advise you of the locations of all of the markets in your area, as well as advise you as to the products that sell the best.





There is a lot of information available on Michigan farmer's markets on the internet. A Yahoo search for "michigan farmer's markets" (include the quotation marks in the Yahoo search box) yields 182 results. I'm betting you can find answers to many of your questions if you are willing to do the same search and spend a little time exploring.





Good luck with your venture.
Reply:My sister sold fresh herbs and dried floral crafts with great success for several years, until her interests led her elsewhere... You can make it work! Best wishes!



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