When selling at a farmers’ market, it’s important to focus on products that’ll give you a good return on investment because they’re easy to make, sell well or have high margins. Since lucrative opportunities aren’t always obvious, this guide to the top 10 most profitable farmers’ market items will help you identify goods that’ll make you the most money.
Unique Produce
While everyday produce like beefsteak tomatoes and yellow onions can be profitable at farmers’ markets, you can make even more money by offering exotic fruits and vegetables with a higher markup. If you need ideas, colorful heirloom tomatoes, sustainable organic potatoes, fresh wild blueberries and nutrient-dense microgreens are all hard-to-find items that can be great money-makers.
Holiday Products
As with any business, holiday products can be very lucrative because customers are usually willing to spend a bit for a special occasion. Coupled with the sense of urgency due to the approaching holiday, items like pumpkins for Halloween, lilies for Easter and red-white-and-blue anything for the 4th of July can be among the most profitable farmers’ market items.
Artisanal Baked Goods
While baked goods are readily available at grocery stores, people go to farmers’ markets in search of pies, cakes, cookies and other treats because of the perceived quality and personal connection. So, if your bakery menu includes rustic pies, handmade cookies and elegant cakes, selling them at a farmers’ market can be very lucrative.
Prepared Foods
If you’re thinking about starting a food stand, a street market would be a good place to try out your business concept. There’ll be plenty of people who’ll be walking around for hours, so you won’t have to do much to get customers. Most people who go to farmers’ markets are willing to pay for quality, so keep that in mind when developing your menu and setting your prices.
Flowers & Live Plants
It should be no surprise that selling flowers and plants at a farmers’ market can be lucrative. From bouquets of roses or carnations to tomato seedlings or petunia packs, there’s sure to be demand for cut flowers and live plants. Even if flowers aren’t your main focus, selling a few will give your stall some eye-catching colors and pleasant fragrances that will attract attention and draw customers.
Flavored Popcorn
Due to its inexpensive ingredients and quick cook time, the profitability of popcorn is well known in the food and beverage industry. Whether you offer it as a convenient snack for market-goers or gourmet treat in decorative tins, caramel, cheese and other types of flavored popcorn can be some of the most profitable items at a farmers’ market.
Refreshing Drinks
Drinks can be awesome money-makers at a farmers’ market, especially if you already sell some type of food: people will realize they need something to wash down their snack, so they’ll buy two items from you instead of one. Also, be sure to take note of the weather and offer hot coffee or tea on cold days and refreshing lemonade or iced tea when it’s hot.
Spice Mixes
Although they’re just blends of dried leaves and seeds in a bag or bottle, spice mixes can be some of the most profitable farmers’ market items because of their minimal cost, incredible versatility and long shelf-life. If you want to make a lot of sales, be sure to give out free samples of a sauce, dip or other item made with your spice blend..
Specialty Soaps
Selling soap at a farmers’ market can be very lucrative because most market goers are willing to pay more for specialty products with attractive colors, inviting scents and essential oils. Although you could raise interest in your products by giving away samples, you can also draw in customers by making your booth more interesting with eye-catching displays and soothing background music.
Decorative Candles
According to a Forbes.com article, the average candle profit margin is 25 to 50%, far above that of many other products. Since many people go to farmers’ markets in search of not only artisanal foods but also unique décor, candles with relaxing scents or attractive colors are popular products that you can price accordingly.
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