Growing fruits and vegetables for your own consumption may seem simple enough. But selling your produce requires planning and dedication. The same principles that apply to running a business apply to running a farm for profit. There are several ways to sell your produce: roadside stands, farmers' market, pick your own farm or community supported agriculture (CSA). Each method has its benefits and drawbacks and will depend on the amount and type of fruits and vegetables you intend to sell. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Lay the groundwork
1. Prepare a large garden with common fruits and vegetables. Grow produce that people are familiar with the first year, while you develop your customer base.
2. Research your market area. Talk to other local producers to get a feel for what markets work well for them and why. Sell locally in the beginning. Choose one venue, such as a roadside stand on or near your property (where the produce is grown) or a farmer's market.
3. Calculate the cost of supplies, fuel and your time. Do not use grocery store prices to base your prices. Check your state's daily wholesale produce market prices; this is normally available through your state's Department of Agriculture. These are daily averages and are typically based on the prior day's prices.
Roadside stand
4. Contact your local and state government to see if any licenses, certificate and or permits are required to set up and sell produce at a roadside stand.
5. Choose a location. Consider traffic flow of the area, available parking and how far you must travel. Choose a location that is closest to your produce and has ample parking for customers.
6. Purchase or construct tables to place your produce on. Purchase containers such as baskets that will allow customers to easily see your produce. Consider a pavilion or tent to protect you and your produce from sun and rain.
7. Design signs that are large enough for potential customers to read as they drive past. Use large lettering and be concise in your wording.
Farmers' Market
8. Contact the board of directors or person who is responsible for vendors at the farmer's market. Ask about fees, requirements and days and times. Some farmers' markets require inspections to verify that you are growing your own fruits and vegetables.
9. Gather supplies for sale days. Purchase a pavilion or open tent to protect yourself and your produce from the weather. Purchase enough coolers to keep fruits and vegetables not on display cool and to keep plenty of drinks for yourself available. Purchase tables and containers for displaying your produce, scale, bags and baskets for weighing and customer purchases. Use a small cash box with a lock for your transactions.
10. Prepare to be awake early to pick your fruits and vegetables so that they are fresh for market. Arrive at the farmers' market location at least one hour before it opens to allow yourself time to set up.
11. Create handouts for your customers. Include information about your farming methods, for example naturally or organically grown. Have recipes available that use a variety of the produce you have available.
Set up a CSA
12. Choose a venue such as farmers' market your first year. Develop a potential customer base by speaking with your customers to determine their interest.
13. Decide how large the customers' shares will be and if you will add any value-added products (baked goods made from your produce, jams, jellies, crafts, and so on).
14. Set up a payment method. Common methods are weekly, monthly and seasonally. Decide if members (customers become members when they join) will only pay just for fruits and vegetables or if they will be required to pay towards the upkeep of the garden, or a combination of both.
15. Set up specific places, days and times for pickups and drop-offs. Your farmers' market location is a centrally located point and would be convenient for both you and your CSA members.
Pick-your-own Farm
16. Contact your insurance agent to discover how much liability insurance will cost. This is necessary in case of accidents when customers are on your property.
17.Decide what fruits and vegetables will be available for customers to harvest. Designate specific areas that are open to the public. Some plants and trees are delicate so restrict access to them.
18. Ensure there are adequate facilities available to customers such as parking and restrooms. Create designated areas separate from your personal living areas (away from your home and your private household garden).
Tags: your produce, fruits vegetables, farmers market, from your, apply running, available customers, Choose location