Comments on: How to Make Money at the Farmers Market http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2012/04/03/how-to-make-money-at-the-farmers-market/ Common sense advice on money saving tips, how to get out of debt, high interest savings accounts, cd rates, money market accounts, mortgage rates, money management and more. Tue, 21 May 2013 21:22:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Denver Kindley http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2012/04/03/how-to-make-money-at-the-farmers-market/comment-page-1/#comment-3259032 Denver Kindley Mon, 28 Jan 2013 12:42:12 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=129102#comment-3259032 I like Facebook, but I hate that their notes section is not as appealing as MySpace blogs. I recently transferred a blog from MySpace to Facebook using the "share" icon located beneath each blog .. . However, I do not like the way in which appears on my Facebook page. Are there any better ways to import my blogs?. I like Facebook, but I hate that their notes section is not as appealing as MySpace blogs. I recently transferred a blog from MySpace to Facebook using the “share” icon located beneath each blog .. . However, I do not like the way in which appears on my Facebook page. Are there any better ways to import my blogs?.

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]]> By: Marie Cartwright http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2012/04/03/how-to-make-money-at-the-farmers-market/comment-page-1/#comment-3027492 Marie Cartwright Fri, 05 Oct 2012 15:29:59 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=129102#comment-3027492 The modern farmers markets (at least the good ones) are usually in downtown central locations in most cities. If you just want to sell produce and food items, you might as well be in a church parking lot. Most people want a true handmade shopping experience - not just the equivalency of attending a gourmet market of often over priced produce and food items (as many farmers markets food items are). In other words, it would be a rather bland market without the artisans. The modern farmers markets (at least the good ones) are usually in downtown central locations in most cities. If you just want to sell produce and food items, you might as well be in a church parking lot. Most people want a true handmade shopping experience – not just the equivalency of attending a gourmet market of often over priced produce and food items (as many farmers markets food items are). In other words, it would be a rather bland market without the artisans.

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]]> By: stellamarina http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2012/04/03/how-to-make-money-at-the-farmers-market/comment-page-1/#comment-2573702 stellamarina Tue, 10 Apr 2012 20:31:43 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=129102#comment-2573702 Easier to put up a sales table in your front yard a few days a year. Easier to put up a sales table in your front yard a few days a year.

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]]> By: Donna http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2012/04/03/how-to-make-money-at-the-farmers-market/comment-page-1/#comment-2565222 Donna Sat, 07 Apr 2012 20:59:23 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=129102#comment-2565222 Last year I committed wholeheartedly to working three farmer's markets in my area, and due to growth this year will be working four, in addition to providing a local restaurant and filling special orders (I am a baker). All of the people I know who MAKE A LIVING at these markets treat it very, very seriously as a business. This really shouldn't be a hobby for people - the fees alone seem to prohibit that, and most good farmer's markets won't take anyone who seems *junky* - selling cookware, Avon, etc., non-handmade clothing or doodads...guess all I'm trying to say is that you must have a good product, a market niche, and be prepared to basically start your own business to be successful at this. Last year I committed wholeheartedly to working three farmer’s markets in my area, and due to growth this year will be working four, in addition to providing a local restaurant and filling special orders (I am a baker). All of the people I know who MAKE A LIVING at these markets treat it very, very seriously as a business. This really shouldn’t be a hobby for people – the fees alone seem to prohibit that, and most good farmer’s markets won’t take anyone who seems *junky* – selling cookware, Avon, etc., non-handmade clothing or doodads…guess all I’m trying to say is that you must have a good product, a market niche, and be prepared to basically start your own business to be successful at this.

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]]> By: Bareheadedwoman http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2012/04/03/how-to-make-money-at-the-farmers-market/comment-page-1/#comment-2554312 Bareheadedwoman Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:14:55 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=129102#comment-2554312 honey, if you're gonna jump right to slave market, then there's no having an intelligent conversation with you. Apples & oranges. honey, if you’re gonna jump right to slave market, then there’s no having an intelligent conversation with you. Apples & oranges.

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]]> By: Barb http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2012/04/03/how-to-make-money-at-the-farmers-market/comment-page-1/#comment-2552422 Barb Wed, 04 Apr 2012 04:14:45 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=129102#comment-2552422 My towns farmers market does have a craft section........in it's own section if you will, which includes soaps, candles a woman who spinns wool and sells yarn. Also people who sell non farm but food items including jams and jellies, wine and baked goods and texas olive oils. They all fit in well. The big city (Dallas) farmers market has them all under another tent. My towns farmers market does have a craft section……..in it’s own section if you will, which includes soaps, candles a woman who spinns wool and sells yarn. Also people who sell non farm but food items including jams and jellies, wine and baked goods and texas olive oils. They all fit in well. The big city (Dallas) farmers market has them all under another tent.

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]]> By: Sara http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2012/04/03/how-to-make-money-at-the-farmers-market/comment-page-1/#comment-2552102 Sara Wed, 04 Apr 2012 02:15:07 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=129102#comment-2552102 A couple of times a season, our local market has a crafters market. It is just an add on to the regular market. I actually really like it, but I don't think they would do great if they were there every week. But a couple of times a season they draw interest to the market and I enjoy the products. A couple of times a season, our local market has a crafters market. It is just an add on to the regular market. I actually really like it, but I don’t think they would do great if they were there every week. But a couple of times a season they draw interest to the market and I enjoy the products.

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]]> By: Priswell http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2012/04/03/how-to-make-money-at-the-farmers-market/comment-page-1/#comment-2552042 Priswell Wed, 04 Apr 2012 01:44:19 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=129102#comment-2552042 Bureaucracy in our town has some of the worst technical interfaces anywhere. The city site is poorly designed and has little real information, the business license site is horrible, and on and on. Yes, there's a website, but it's of little help. Bureaucracy in our town has some of the worst technical interfaces anywhere. The city site is poorly designed and has little real information, the business license site is horrible, and on and on. Yes, there’s a website, but it’s of little help.

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]]> By: Andrew http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2012/04/03/how-to-make-money-at-the-farmers-market/comment-page-1/#comment-2551972 Andrew Wed, 04 Apr 2012 01:15:52 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=129102#comment-2551972 By your logic, a slave market is OK. By your logic, a slave market is OK.

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]]> By: Elizabeth http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2012/04/03/how-to-make-money-at-the-farmers-market/comment-page-1/#comment-2551752 Elizabeth Tue, 03 Apr 2012 22:04:07 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=129102#comment-2551752 Our local market is a farmers' market and flea market, but produce is sold in one area, baked goods in another, and non-food items in another section. The layout makes it really easy for people like me who just want to grocery shop. Our local market is a farmers’ market and flea market, but produce is sold in one area, baked goods in another, and non-food items in another section. The layout makes it really easy for people like me who just want to grocery shop.

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]]> By: Elizabeth http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2012/04/03/how-to-make-money-at-the-farmers-market/comment-page-1/#comment-2551722 Elizabeth Tue, 03 Apr 2012 22:00:04 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=129102#comment-2551722 Yes, but you sound like a reasonably intelligent person who takes responsibility for your choices. Unfortunately, safety regulations are geared towards people who need reminders like "do not iron clothes while wearing." Yes, but you sound like a reasonably intelligent person who takes responsibility for your choices. Unfortunately, safety regulations are geared towards people who need reminders like “do not iron clothes while wearing.”

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]]> By: Bareheadedwoman http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2012/04/03/how-to-make-money-at-the-farmers-market/comment-page-1/#comment-2551692 Bareheadedwoman Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:54:00 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=129102#comment-2551692 I think some people are confusing a farmers' market with a flea market that allows booths of produce and foodcraft...in a lot of places they are one and the same. I think some people are confusing a farmers’ market with a flea market that allows booths of produce and foodcraft…in a lot of places they are one and the same.

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]]> By: Bareheadedwoman http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2012/04/03/how-to-make-money-at-the-farmers-market/comment-page-1/#comment-2551682 Bareheadedwoman Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:52:26 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=129102#comment-2551682 funny, agribusiness stole that line...y'know the part about if ConAgra et al didn't exist, the farmer would have gone extinct and we all would have starved. funny how ficfacts are made huh? funny, agribusiness stole that line…y’know the part about if ConAgra et al didn’t exist, the farmer would have gone extinct and we all would have starved.

funny how ficfacts are made huh?

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]]> By: Bareheadedwoman http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2012/04/03/how-to-make-money-at-the-farmers-market/comment-page-1/#comment-2551642 Bareheadedwoman Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:46:22 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=129102#comment-2551642 the big companies do not have to play by the same rules as the small (waivers ya know) and once they stop accepting cash, independent markets will eventually die (Louisiana) and you'll be left at the mercy of the big guys. thanks, I'll take "freedom to" and watch out myself for "freedom from"...from whomever it may come, Meglabusiness included. the big companies do not have to play by the same rules as the small (waivers ya know) and once they stop accepting cash, independent markets will eventually die (Louisiana) and you’ll be left at the mercy of the big guys.

thanks, I’ll take “freedom to” and watch out myself for “freedom from”…from whomever it may come, Meglabusiness included.

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]]> By: Bareheadedwoman http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2012/04/03/how-to-make-money-at-the-farmers-market/comment-page-1/#comment-2551622 Bareheadedwoman Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:41:33 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=129102#comment-2551622 if there is a market buying it (and a farmer's market selling the space) then who on earth are you to judge what "shouldn't" be sold? someone woke up crabby besides me. if there is a market buying it (and a farmer’s market selling the space) then who on earth are you to judge what “shouldn’t” be sold?

someone woke up crabby besides me.

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]]> By: Bareheadedwoman http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2012/04/03/how-to-make-money-at-the-farmers-market/comment-page-1/#comment-2551592 Bareheadedwoman Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:37:50 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=129102#comment-2551592 the only thing that protects us from the bureaucracy is its inefficiency...but technology is making the bureaucracy more efficient every second. the only thing that protects us from the bureaucracy is its inefficiency…but technology is making the bureaucracy more efficient every second.

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]]> By: RMS http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2012/04/03/how-to-make-money-at-the-farmers-market/comment-page-1/#comment-2551502 RMS Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:07:17 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=129102#comment-2551502 I used to sell photos at an outdoor market. It was mostly crafts, with a few farm stands as well. My product didn't sell well, mainly because it was not diversified enough. On the other hand, my friend sold jewelry and would take home about a thousand or more each show. It just really depends on your pricing, salesmanship, and how good your product is compared to others. So yes, the post is right that IT IS A BUSINESS. I spent many beautiful summer weekends selling instead of being out with friends. I also spent A LOT of money preparing my products - packaging, tent, market fees, etc. While it was a valuable experience, I would not do it again. I recommend you plan well before you go out there to sell your products. Good luck! I used to sell photos at an outdoor market. It was mostly crafts, with a few farm stands as well. My product didn’t sell well, mainly because it was not diversified enough. On the other hand, my friend sold jewelry and would take home about a thousand or more each show. It just really depends on your pricing, salesmanship, and how good your product is compared to others. So yes, the post is right that IT IS A BUSINESS.

I spent many beautiful summer weekends selling instead of being out with friends. I also spent A LOT of money preparing my products – packaging, tent, market fees, etc.

While it was a valuable experience, I would not do it again. I recommend you plan well before you go out there to sell your products.

Good luck!

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]]> By: Jenna, Adaptu Community Manager http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2012/04/03/how-to-make-money-at-the-farmers-market/comment-page-1/#comment-2551492 Jenna, Adaptu Community Manager Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:04:27 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=129102#comment-2551492 Do research and see what other people are selling at your local farmers market. You don't want any competition. Do research and see what other people are selling at your local farmers market. You don’t want any competition.

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]]> By: Matt at Healthy N\' Wealthy http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2012/04/03/how-to-make-money-at-the-farmers-market/comment-page-1/#comment-2551482 Matt at Healthy N\' Wealthy Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:01:59 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=129102#comment-2551482 Spot on. In the free market, the consumer decides the prices. It's the economic equivalent of democracy. That's why they go hand in hand. Spot on. In the free market, the consumer decides the prices. It’s the economic equivalent of democracy. That’s why they go hand in hand.

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]]> By: chacha1 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2012/04/03/how-to-make-money-at-the-farmers-market/comment-page-1/#comment-2551462 chacha1 Tue, 03 Apr 2012 20:50:27 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=129102#comment-2551462 This must be very location-dependent. The Beverly Hills farmers market has no craft vendors - only foods, things made from food (the honey vendor has beeswax things, the goat cheese vendor has goat's milk soap), and a knife sharpening guy. This must be very location-dependent. The Beverly Hills farmers market has no craft vendors – only foods, things made from food (the honey vendor has beeswax things, the goat cheese vendor has goat’s milk soap), and a knife sharpening guy.

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]]> By: Matt at Healthy N\' Wealthy http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2012/04/03/how-to-make-money-at-the-farmers-market/comment-page-1/#comment-2551452 Matt at Healthy N\' Wealthy Tue, 03 Apr 2012 20:45:43 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=129102#comment-2551452 The free market exists for the consumer. It's where consumers decide prices: it's the economic equivalent of democracy, and that's why democracy and free market capitalism go hand in hand. The free market exists for the consumer. It’s where consumers decide prices: it’s the economic equivalent of democracy, and that’s why democracy and free market capitalism go hand in hand.

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]]> By: Matt at Healthy N' Wealthy http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2012/04/03/how-to-make-money-at-the-farmers-market/comment-page-1/#comment-2551432 Matt at Healthy N' Wealthy Tue, 03 Apr 2012 20:39:56 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=129102#comment-2551432 If no one was allowed to lose their jobs, we wouldn't have email, cars, or even farmers for that matter. Farmers must have put hunters out of business at some point in human history. Ford put blacksmiths out of business. Google is putting postal workers out of business. Innovation for a higher quality of life for everyone means short-term hardship for few. Those farmers can get new jobs by providing something of value that people are willing to pay for. If they can't, then that's a heck on an incentive to get the skills to do so. If people can make things better while using less work, everyone in the future benefits in the long run. The money that used to be spent on more expensive food can now be spent at the mall, or at the movies, or saved (more capital for banks to lend!). If no one was allowed to lose their jobs, we wouldn’t have email, cars, or even farmers for that matter. Farmers must have put hunters out of business at some point in human history.

Ford put blacksmiths out of business. Google is putting postal workers out of business. Innovation for a higher quality of life for everyone means short-term hardship for few. Those farmers can get new jobs by providing something of value that people are willing to pay for. If they can’t, then that’s a heck on an incentive to get the skills to do so.

If people can make things better while using less work, everyone in the future benefits in the long run. The money that used to be spent on more expensive food can now be spent at the mall, or at the movies, or saved (more capital for banks to lend!).

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]]> By: This Aggie Saves http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2012/04/03/how-to-make-money-at-the-farmers-market/comment-page-1/#comment-2551362 This Aggie Saves Tue, 03 Apr 2012 19:43:35 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=129102#comment-2551362 I'd totally do a farmer's market if I had a hobby that would lend itself to selling something there. There's a huge market for that sort of stuff in my area. I’d totally do a farmer’s market if I had a hobby that would lend itself to selling something there. There’s a huge market for that sort of stuff in my area.

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]]> By: El Nerdo http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2012/04/03/how-to-make-money-at-the-farmers-market/comment-page-1/#comment-2551272 El Nerdo Tue, 03 Apr 2012 19:22:10 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=129102#comment-2551272 Before I leave, one last thing that's still bugging me: "farmers markets exists so that actual farmers can make a living wage." I thought they existed to provide customers with fresh quality produce at competitive prices! Silly me... Before I leave, one last thing that’s still bugging me:

“farmers markets exists so that actual farmers can make a living wage.”

I thought they existed to provide customers with fresh quality produce at competitive prices! Silly me…

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]]> By: El Nerdo http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2012/04/03/how-to-make-money-at-the-farmers-market/comment-page-1/#comment-2551212 El Nerdo Tue, 03 Apr 2012 18:47:21 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=129102#comment-2551212 Oh! Yes. Buy cheap hobby product + resell for a profit! (Provided it doesn't taste like cardboard). I forgot that option. LOL. Oh! Yes. Buy cheap hobby product + resell for a profit! (Provided it doesn’t taste like cardboard). I forgot that option. LOL.

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]]> By: sarah http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2012/04/03/how-to-make-money-at-the-farmers-market/comment-page-1/#comment-2551202 sarah Tue, 03 Apr 2012 18:46:32 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=129102#comment-2551202 I have never been to a farmer's market that sold crafts. I think that would annoy me. (And I have a side business selling crafts...) I have never been to a farmer’s market that sold crafts. I think that would annoy me. (And I have a side business selling crafts…)

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]]> By: KSR http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2012/04/03/how-to-make-money-at-the-farmers-market/comment-page-1/#comment-2551142 KSR Tue, 03 Apr 2012 18:39:20 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=129102#comment-2551142 South America. Our produce comes from everywhere, but South America is a biggy. American rice (yes, rice-- and we harvest a lot of it) goes to Asia. This is a world economy where we tell farmers what to grow and how much to grow. Then we set limits on imports and exports and let the world market determine the price, not farmers. Mass manipulation. El Nerdo. I read your advice on my vice and damn dude---that works. Breathe?!? I was-------yeah, right. But it works!!!! Thanks man! South America. Our produce comes from everywhere, but South America is a biggy. American rice (yes, rice– and we harvest a lot of it) goes to Asia. This is a world economy where we tell farmers what to grow and how much to grow. Then we set limits on imports and exports and let the world market determine the price, not farmers. Mass manipulation.

El Nerdo. I read your advice on my vice and damn dude—that works. Breathe?!? I was——-yeah, right. But it works!!!! Thanks man!

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]]> By: El Nerdo http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2012/04/03/how-to-make-money-at-the-farmers-market/comment-page-1/#comment-2551132 El Nerdo Tue, 03 Apr 2012 18:39:00 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=129102#comment-2551132 And now without the irony: Farmers make a living by growing more and better produce than the amateur and at a lower cost thanks to their skills, experience, and economies of scale. Farmers also have a larger supply, and a larger base of clients-- not just Saturday morning shoppers but restaurants, retailers, etc. And they have established loyal customers who come back every week. In every field established businesses have to compete with non-pros, start-ups and technological alternatives. It's part of the territory and everyone in business needs to understand this. Journalists have to compete with bloggers. Wedding photographers have to compete with relatives with a photo hobby. Doctors have to compete with the purveyors of herbal potions. TV dinners compete with home cooking. Not too long ago, servants had to compete with vacuum cleaners and washing machines. Etc., etc., etc., etc... Sure, nobody likes competition, so established businesses have guilds, and certifications, and try to erect artificial market barriers, but to ask people to refrain from entering the market is absurd and just bad economic theory. And now without the irony:

Farmers make a living by growing more and better produce than the amateur and at a lower cost thanks to their skills, experience, and economies of scale. Farmers also have a larger supply, and a larger base of clients– not just Saturday morning shoppers but restaurants, retailers, etc. And they have established loyal customers who come back every week.

In every field established businesses have to compete with non-pros, start-ups and technological alternatives. It’s part of the territory and everyone in business needs to understand this.

Journalists have to compete with bloggers. Wedding photographers have to compete with relatives with a photo hobby. Doctors have to compete with the purveyors of herbal potions. TV dinners compete with home cooking. Not too long ago, servants had to compete with vacuum cleaners and washing machines. Etc., etc., etc., etc…

Sure, nobody likes competition, so established businesses have guilds, and certifications, and try to erect artificial market barriers, but to ask people to refrain from entering the market is absurd and just bad economic theory.

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]]> By: Josh http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2012/04/03/how-to-make-money-at-the-farmers-market/comment-page-1/#comment-2551092 Josh Tue, 03 Apr 2012 18:30:18 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=129102#comment-2551092 This post alone would be worth the effort for GRS to add a thumbs down button. What a ridiculous comment. Also, anyone growing beans in their garage is not going to have the inventory to keep a booth stocked or to even make a scratch in the supply side of supply & demand. The farmer will be just fine. I'd imagine any hobby farmers would sell close to market rate as well, otherwise the farmer could just buy all those beans and resell them for a nice profit. This post alone would be worth the effort for GRS to add a thumbs down button.

What a ridiculous comment.

Also, anyone growing beans in their garage is not going to have the inventory to keep a booth stocked or to even make a scratch in the supply side of supply & demand. The farmer will be just fine. I’d imagine any hobby farmers would sell close to market rate as well, otherwise the farmer could just buy all those beans and resell them for a nice profit.

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]]> By: El Nerdo http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2012/04/03/how-to-make-money-at-the-farmers-market/comment-page-1/#comment-2551062 El Nerdo Tue, 03 Apr 2012 18:19:52 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=129102#comment-2551062 Our vegetables come from where? Garages, of course! Why own a whole farm when you can grow enough produce next to the minivan, right? Clearly, the current agricultural model is obsolete! Our vegetables come from where? Garages, of course! Why own a whole farm when you can grow enough produce next to the minivan, right? Clearly, the current agricultural model is obsolete!

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