Are Farmers' Markets
Right for You?

by

Flora Morris Brown

Gift basket sales can be found in many places. One that may surprise you is one of the local farmers markets set up once a week in your community.

Farmers markets have become more and more popular as consumers become more educated and discerning. Customers are even willing to pay more for quality foods when they can taste the difference and talk to the farmers to learn more about the growing process and nutritional value. Farmers can also give you great cooking tips.

Because so many consumers love to gather at these farmers markets, other artisans set up their wares as well. I found beautifully decorated wicker chests at one table and wonderful piano tunes on CD. In both cases, the creator was also the seller. You can learn so much about the product and get information to use in your marketing material.

Alongside the musicians and craft vendors, there are occasionally gift basket designers as well. In addition to finding unique buys for your baskets, this may also be a great market for selling your gift baskets.

Before you pack up your gift baskets, here are some tips.

1. Find out where the farmers markets are located near you.

2. Contact the organizer of the farmers market to learn about their requirements and restrictions. While the farmers are part of a certified group, there may be different requirements for other vendors. Crafters, for example, may be allowed to sell only what they've made by hand. If your gift baskets will contain food, you may be required to produce a health license.

3. Visit the farmers market to get a feel for what it offers and the types of sales that seem most brisk.

4. Make note of the types of displays and assess what will be involved for you to set up a comparable display.

5. Talk to vendors who have attended regularly for a period of time to learn the inside scoop on what you can expect in operations and profits.

6. Visit more than one local farmers market. Since every city seems to have one in it or nearby, this should be easy to find. Some will require you to be a resident of a city within 30 mile radius.

Flora Morris Brown, Ph.D. is a Professor Emeritus at Fullerton College, educational consultant, gift basket expert, writer and professional motivational speaker. From her websites, blogs and newsletters she motivates small business owners and gift retailers with sales-generating ideas, marketing tips, design ideas and business success strategies. She is mother of four and grandmother of three. When she's not traveling she enjoys her home in Anaheim, CA.