What Works At A Farmers' Market?
By Keith Mayberry, Farm Advisor, Imperial County
First, the produce must be fresh! High quality is
essential
to keeping the market attractive to weekly customers. Commodities are
best
when picked the day of the sale. Customers like to see carrots with the
tops on and melons that are fully ripe.
- You need to have a wide
variety
of products. If you have a display that offers only lettuce or carrots,
you'll draw fewer customers than if you sell both carrots and lettuce.
Colors are an attractive draw. Stands with three or four items seem
about
right.
- Organically grown crops are
popular
at the market.
- It is possible to sell too
many
items if you don't have very much of each. People like to see that you
offer a lot of each vegetable. If you have only one carton of squash on
display, it may appear that your vegetables are "picked over".
The higher the heap, the better it sells.
- Make displays that look
like they
came from the farm. Wooden crates or boxes work well. Slant the boxes
toward
the customer and have the items at least waist high. No one wants to
bend
down to inspect your product.
- Have your prices on signs
that
are prominently displayed so customers don't have to ask. Shy customers
will walk on by rather than ask for a price.
- Too often farmers charge
too little
for their products. Check the prices at the local supermarkets before
establishing
your going rate. Your products are farm fresh and are worth a good
price.
- Keep a good supply of
change on
hand, especially quarters, one's and fives. You would be surprised to
see
how many twenty dollar bills are offered for a fifty cent sale.
- Customers are impatient and
don't
like to have to wait for change. A carpenter's nail apron has nice deep
pockets good for holding bills and coins. Then you are ready to offer
the
correct change on the spot. It also helps to increase the speed of
sales.
- Supply thin film bags for
your
customers' use. The cost is minimal and you can buy a roll of 2000 for
about $10.
- If you use a scale or sell
by the
pound, the scale must be certified by the Agricultural Commissioner.
- Markets are funny in that
the middle
hours seem to have 70% of all sales. You need to be prepared for the
"rush
hour" swarm.
