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If there’s one thing I love doing during the weekend, it’s heading to the local farmer’s market! I just love looking around and checking out all the different products available. It isn’t just fresh fruits and veggies you’ll see, but a whole variety of crafts, homemade goods, and other unique products you can’t find elsewhere!
I know a lot of you feel the same, and you come home with a few food items you can’t wait to use! That’s why if you’re looking to make extra money, selling products at the farmer’s market is the way to go. After all, there’s a rising trend of shopping locally and choosing small businesses.
It’s not impossible either since this person makes $3,200 monthly and works only 20 hours a week.
People want to support the local community while receiving unique products or healthier, fresher produce we can’t find elsewhere. Heck, you’ll even attract travelers who head to farmer’s markets because they’re out looking for homemade local food and items crafted by the community!
But what can you sell? The options are limitless since you can earn good money selling fresh produce, fruits, baked goods, crafts, and more! I help narrow down your options with these 12 best things to sell at a farmers market, so read on.
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1. Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables
It isn’t a farmer’s market without a wide variety of fruits and veggies. Seasonal produce like berries, tomatoes, leafy greens, and pumpkins are some of the most popular products to sell at farmer’s markets!
If you grow fresh produce yourself, this can be one of the coolest hobbies that make money! I highly recommend focusing on in-season fruits and vegetables, since these are more popular. Plus, seasonal produce is fresher and more nutritious compared to those out of season, making people want them more!
To get an edge over the competition, prioritize the freshness and appearance of your produce. Also, it’s worth offering samples so that more people will choose to purchase from you. I know I’d be gobbling up free samples and buying a lot of products if they were good!
2. Herbs and Microgreens
Are we all in our cooking era lately? Or in a health kick? I know I’m getting into both! That’s why selling herbs and microgreens is a great choice. It’s in high demand with people wanting fresh herbs for their food, as well as microgreens to get into healthy shape.
Since microgreens are best grown in warm weather, you can sell them as a summer side hustle. You’ll also want to sell popular herbs like basil, cilantro, and parsley, all of which are a must in the kitchen! To further entice people to buy your products, display them in pots or pre-cut them in small bundles for them to easily get.
3. Specialty Produce
We all love our seasonal produce, but there are a ton of people out there, like me, who also want to try something new! That’s why it’s worth selling specialty produce, or exotic fruits and veggies you don’t usually find in grocery stores. You already get an edge by selling something people can’t find elsewhere!
I’m talking about produce like heirloom tomatoes, purple carrots, dragon fruits, jackfruits, arugula, mangosteen, and more! Not only do these have special health benefits of their own, but you’ll find tons of people interested in buying them, from cooks to fitness girlies.
Upsell your produce and gain more buyers by educating them on how they can cook or eat the produce.
4. Jams, Jellies, and Preserves
I’m a sucker for jam and jellies, it’s one of the ways I curb my sweet tooth! Come on, peanut butter jelly sandwiches are still a good comfort food. So, if you’ve got a knack for making jams, jellies, or preserves and have had friends rave about it, you may want to try selling them at your local farmer’s market.
Your business can grow big if you’ve got unique flavor combos and special recipes! Some interesting concoctions I’d definitely buy are strawberry basil jam, spicy mango chutney, plum anise jam, and the like. Basically, anything that looks very interesting and tastes amazing enough to come back for more!
5. Baked Goods
One of the reasons why I go to the farmer’s market is to scout for some of the best baked goods! You’ll also find a ton of marketgoers looking for something delicious to munch on midway or towards the end of their shopping.
That’s why selling your baked goods at the local farmer’s market is one of the best ways to make money baking. You can introduce your business from here and start growing as more people get to know your products. Besides selling artisan bread, cookies, pies, or muffins, make sure you also focus on making goods with different dietary options, like sugar-free, gluten-free, vegan, and the like. This will make your baked items even more appealing!
6. Honey and Maple Syrup
Just call me Winnie the Pooh because I love my honey, too! It’s a good alternative to white sugar and a fantastic addition to my pancakes and waffles. People also love them for baking and to stir into their drinks.
Honey and maple syrup are always in demand at farmer’s markets because of how tastier and more nutritious they are compared to those from grocery stores. This is one of the prime examples of how local is always better. You can sell raw honey, organic maple syrup, and even products with different flavors. One of the most interesting ones is ginger honey, which I know can be soothing for the throat!
7. Snacks and Treats
Just like baked goods, people want a little snack during or after their shopping at the farmer’s market. Or sometimes, people visit the market just for a mini food trip! If you’ve got the knack for making yummy treats, then this is your time to shine.
You’ll want to prepare ready-to-eat snacks in small packaging so shoppers can munch on them while browsing around. Some of the best foods to sell at markets include flavored popcorn, roasted nuts, energy bars, and other healthy, locally-made items.
8. Freshly Squeezed Juices and Smoothies
No snack is complete without a refreshing drink! Shoppers are going to be parched walking around the market and trying free samples, so be there to sell fresh lemonade, fruit juices, and green smoothies to quench their thirst. This is going to be a bestseller during the summer season!
Freshly squeezed juices and healthy smoothies are excellent farmer’s market ideas. Everyone wants to drink something nutritious and delicious at the same time, especially when it’s made with local produce. Not only are they more filled with vitamins and antioxidants, but fresh drinks have no preservatives and usually have fewer calories, which people are after!
9. Handcrafted Soaps and Skincare Products
You aren’t limited to food and produce when selling at the farmer’s market! Other homemade products will also be a huge hit, like handcrafted soaps and skincare products!
Lots of shoppers love natural and chemical-free alternatives to the things we buy at drugstores. Handmade products always feel a bit more personal and luxurious.
You can gain a ton of buyers by making products with unique scents and eye-catching packaging. One interesting DIY soap to make and sell is black raspberry vanilla, which looks and smells lovely. You can also make body scrubs, lip balms, face masks, and bath bombs!
10. Candles and Home Fragrances
Scented candles will forever be a staple in any home. I actually have a bunch of candles ready for just about any holiday!
Everyone wants their homes to smell amazing, which is why candles and home fragrances are some of the best craft business ideas. I suggest scented soy candles and essential oil diffusers, that fit the season, like tropical fruits for summer and cinnamon hot chocolate for winter.
You get plus points when you mention your products are homemade and created with natural ingredients, so if you want craft ideas to sell, start with these.
11. Potted Plants and Succulents
The plant craze continues around the world, with homeowners raising a ton of pretty plants and succulents to liven up their rooms, which is why they make great non-food items to sell at the farmer’s market. Plants and succulents aren’t just cute low-maintenance home decor, but they also make great gifts, increasing your sales!
If you want to make your booth stand out, then offer a wide variety of plants and succulent arrangements, like herb plants, specialty seeds, appealing pots, and the like. It’s also best if you have a green thumb yourself, so you can provide care instructions for beginners.
12. Fresh Flowers and Bouquets
Flowers are one of the things I never fail to spot at the farmer’s market! The vibrant colors and gorgeous floral arrangements always have me stop in awe.
These are some of the most profitable farmer’s market items because you’ve got people buying them as thoughtful gifts for their partners or homeowners who want to brighten up their house. Either way, you’ll always have sales as long as you know how to market them.
Besides selling fresh and vibrant flowers, arrange them in bundles and create custom bouquets made for special occasions, like anniversaries, graduations, birthdays, weddings, or Valentine’s Day.
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