Selling Baked Goods at Farmer's Markets

[AnninIowa]

I own my own business - an online gift shop - but can always use extra income. I love to bake cookies and get raves from friends and family (who often want to buy them, but I always give them away free). I am thinking about signing up for one of our local farmer's markets and selling my baked goods there.

Just wondering if anyone else here has sold crafts/baked goods at their local farmer's markets?

 

[mikkishelles]

You may want to check what kitchen requirements are for commercial baking. I know that here in NYC, there are very strict requirements on how foods are manufactured and sold commercially, even if it is at a flea market or bake sale.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

You may want to check what kitchen requirements are for commercial baking. I know that here in NYC, there are very strict requirements on how foods are manufactured and sold commercially, even if it is at a flea market or bake sale.

Agreed. A local farmers market here in Ohio had several people selling homemade baked goods. These sellers weren't following the regulations for commercial baking and didn't have the proper licenses. All were shut down and told they had to make changes before they could participate in the farmers' market again.

 

[pixiewings71]

I was going to say the same thing, the regulations around here are pretty strict too. I make jewelry and was considering setting up a stand to sell my jewelry at our Farmer's Market, I wonder if it would sell tho...

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

A few phone calls should be able to answer your questions. Even a call to the farmer's market main office. My friend sold baked goods one year and it had to be prepared in a commercial kitchen. She rented a church's kitchen a couple days a week. I can't remember how much it was but I do remember it was pretty reasonable.

 

[AnninIowa]

Thanks! I am waiting to hear back from the health dept about any regulations. If there is a roadblock to me doing this, that will probably be it.

 

[akcire]

I own my own business - an online gift shop - but can always use extra income. I love to bake cookies and get raves from friends and family (who often want to buy them, but I always give them away free). I am thinking about signing up for one of our local farmer's markets and selling my baked goods there.

Just wondering if anyone else here has sold crafts/baked goods at their local farmer's markets?

I see you are in Iowa. Are you by any chance thinking of the Farmer's Market in Iowa City--if so I think the Amish/Mennonites from the Stringtown area have a pretty good lock on the baked goods. I know about 10 pounds of my rear-end can be directly attributed to the cinnamon rolls I bought in college.

Sadly, still to this day I try to plan my trips back to Iowa City to co-inside with Farmer's Market days so I can buy the white bread and rolls they sell.

 

[mrs.beast]

I see you are in Iowa. Are you by any chance thinking of the Farmer's Market in Iowa City--if so I think the Amish/Mennonites from the Stringtown area have a pretty good lock on the baked goods. I know about 10 pounds of my rear-end can be directly attributed to the cinnamon rolls I bought in college.

Sadly, still to this day I try to plan my trips back to Iowa City to co-inside with Farmer's Market days so I can buy the white bread and rolls they sell.

ha love it

 

[AnninIowa]

I see you are in Iowa. Are you by any chance thinking of the Farmer's Market in Iowa City--if so I think the Amish/Mennonites from the Stringtown area have a pretty good lock on the baked goods. I know about 10 pounds of my rear-end can be directly attributed to the cinnamon rolls I bought in college.

Sadly, still to this day I try to plan my trips back to Iowa City to co-inside with Farmer's Market days so I can buy the white bread and rolls they sell.

LOL! Actually, I am in Waterloo. That darn Amish and their baked goods anyway!! My baked good are all cookies - never could get the hang of baking breads.

 

[AnninIowa]

Just wanted to report back that I talked to the woman at the Health Department who deals with my specific area of town...she said there are NO restrictions or requirements for baking in a home kitchen to sell at farmer's martkets here. Yay! Now I just have to call around to a few of the markets here to see which would be best for me. Excited about the prospect of additional income this summer!

 

[momz]

just curious. How did this work out for you last summer? Where you able to sell? How were your goods received.

I'm thinking of trying it in Indiana this year. Wanted to know if you can give any feedback on your experiences.

 

[powellrj]

I'm not the OP, but I live in Indiana and have a friend who sells at one of the local farmers markets. She did OK and is planning for this year already. She doesn't need a commercial kitchen, but everything she sells has a sticker saying that it was prepared in a home kitchen.

She did breads and pies. I know she is raising her prices this year because she felt she needs to make more than she did last year.

I also go to lots of farmers markets. I have 3 or 4 that I attend weekly. I usually buy jellies, jams, pesto, breads, pies, cookies, vegtables, meats, eggs and herbs. I can't wait until they start to open again! I know the one she bakes for opens the last friday in April, so I am getting ready for it!

 

[dumbocutie]

FYI-Illinois just past a Cottage Food Industry bill that allows people to prepare home baked goods that are not potentially hazardous at Farmer's Markets. I believe Michigan has this law as well.

It is limited to people who will make only a limited amount but it was pretty substantial if I remember right

You have to tag every item as not being made in a inspected facility.

 

[AnninIowa]

OP here! I actually forget about this thread, lol! I actually ended up NOT doing tne farmer's markets. To make extra money, I decided to go back to shopping garage sales and thrift stores for items to resell on Ebay. I have been selling new items on Ebay and Amazon for years, but had gotten away from "picking" secondhand treasures.