Michelle Walk, Michigan State University Extension - May 25, 2016

Treat your booth as your storefront.

May is here and that means it is farmers market season. This is the time of year many of the outdoor markets start for the season. According to the Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA), the number of farmers markets in Michigan has increased from around 90 in 2001 to over 300 today, so you don’t have to go far to find a market. Farmers markets have been a great way for small farms to find an outlet to sell their produce or for backyard gardeners to sell extra items or test the waters for increasing what they grow.

Each market has their own policies, requirements and application process to be able to sell at their market so be sure to check with the market manager before just showing up to sell. Just because in many cases it is easy to sell at a farmers market doesn’t mean you shouldn’t put some effort into your booth and display. Connecting with your customers is a great way to build a loyal customer base. Here are some tips to make your booth stand out:

Selling at a farmers market is a great way to connect directly with consumers. One of the great things about the local farmers market is the trust people develop by knowing the people who grow their food. Are you doing everything you can to make sure you are connecting with your customers?

For more information you can contact the  Michigan State University Extension Community Food Systems Work Group .

Additional articles in this series: Getting Ready for Market – Part 1

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