Make Your Market: How to Succeed as a Farmer’s Market Vendor

What should you charge for the products at your farmers market booth? How do you know if you're underpricing and what do you do if sales are slow? In this week's episode, we're talking pricing strategy from the ground up: how to set a smart starting price at the beginning of the season, what customer behavior is telling you about your price point, and how to make adjustments mid-season without alienating your regulars. Whether you're heading into your first season or your fifth, this episode will help you price with purpose and stop leaving money on the table every market day. ------------------------------------------------------------ Make Your Market is the podcast that helps you succeed as a farmer's market vendor. The first ten episodes are designed to be your roadmap to starting or improving your market business and we encourage you to start there! Questions? Reach out to us at makeyourmarket@wolfcreekfamilyfarm.com

This week we're talking market prep now for a successful first day of the farmer's market season. We want to avoid any unpleasant surprises, especially if you walked into your house after the final market day of last year, dropped everything in a corner and said, "I'll deal with it later." Well, later has come. And now's the time to tackle: Equipment inspection & maintenance Restocking decisions Staffing readiness Mental/emotional prep for the season Your insurance and licensing checklist Testing your setup at home Early-season pricing strategy Communicating with your market manager We tackle that list together on today's episode. -------------------------------------------------------Arcenio and Karin Velez are the farmers at Wolf Creek Family Farm in west central Missouri. They've been selling at farmer's markets since 2008. Make Your Market is the podcast helping you become a better and more successful farmer's market vendor by sharing their experiences as vendors and market managers. The first ten episodes of the podcast are your road map to starting or improving your farmer's market business; we encourage you to give them a listen. Be sure to follow the podcast in your podcast app so you never miss an episode.

If you’ve ever ended a market day saying, “It was slow,” or it didn't feel slow, but your sales seem low, this episode is for you. We’re going to unpack what “slow” actually means, how to measure it, and, most importantly, how to improve it next time. Gross sales? Average order value? Conversion rate? Sell-through percentage? By the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly which numbers matter, how to collect them, and how to read them like a pro to improve your farmer's market sales. ___________________________________________________________ This is the final episode in our series on building your new farmer's market business. We encourage you to go back and listen from episode one to get the full arc for improving your business and share this series with a fellow vendor (or someone dreaming of being one). Hit that follow button so you never miss an episode ... more great things to come!

McDonald’s doesn’t rely on the strip mall to bring them customers, and neither should we. Today we're talking about simple, affordable ways to market your farmer's market business, not just at the market, but also online and around town. The bottom line is you must market you - we can't rely on the markets to do this for us. So, we'll cover a mix of low-cost and paid tactics to provide clarity, consistency, and a call to action every time our brand is front of our customers and potential customers. ________________________________________________ Make Your Market is a show for farmer's market vendors who want to sell with confidence, connect with their community, and grow a thriving business. These first 10 episodes are designed to be your roadmap to building or refining that business. Hit that follow button so you never miss an episode!

Today we’re talking about the vibe that makes great markets unforgettable: community over competition. What it means, why it works, and simple ways to live it every market day. It's all about building a thriving, loyal market community that lifts everyone. Make Your Market is a show for farmer's market vendors who want to sell with confidence, connect with their community, and grow a thriving business. These first 10 episodes are designed to be your roadmap to building or refining that business. Hit that follow button so you never miss an episode!

Get clear on the permits and licenses you need to sell at a farmer's market. This episode walks through typical requirements by product type: fresh uncut produce, produce samples, baked goods, non-edible artisan items (candles, soaps, skincare), and ready-to-eat/hot foods. Learn which approvals are commonly required and who to contact at each level. We also highlight regional differences to watch for and share organization tips to stay inspection-ready. If you’re a new or growing vendor, this practical guide will help you navigate compliance, build customer trust, and operate at the farmer's market with confidence.

In this episode of the Make Your Market podcast, we break down the most critical farmers market safety practices every vendor needs to understand to protect their products, their customers, and their business. Drawing on real-world experience, we cover canopy safety and proper weighting, including store-bought and homemade solutions, how to monitor weather conditions, and when markets may shut down for safety. We also explain vendor insurance essentials, clarifying the difference between market insurance and individual liability coverage, common policy gaps, and why product liability matters for food and body care vendors. The episode dives into food safety and temperature control, outlining best practices for hot and cold holding, transport, thermometers, and handling customer misuse after purchase. Finally, we discuss labeling, allergen awareness, sanitation, sampling rules, and customer-facing safety, showing how professionalism and preparation build trust and repeat sales. This episode is a practical, experience-based guide for farmers market vendors who want to reduce risk, stay compliant, and create a safe, confident shopping experience. Make Your Market is a show for farmer’s market vendors who want to sell with confidence, connect with their community, and grow a thriving business. These first 10 episodes are designed to be your roadmap to building or refining that business. Hit that follow button so you never miss an episode (even when we’re late).

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to level up your farmers' market presence, this episode is your go-to guide for making a strong first impression. We’re breaking down the basics of branding, packaging, labeling, and booth display so your products don’t blend in, they define who you are as a business. You don’t need a marketing degree or a graphic designer to stand out at the market. With a few intentional choices and a clear visual identity, you can build customer trust, boost sales, and create a brand that people come back to week after week. Make Your Market is a show for farmer’s market vendors who want to sell with confidence, connect with their community, and grow a thriving business. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and leave a review if you find these episodes helpful!

As a produce grower, baker, or handmade goods seller, your farmers market business may need more than a cash box and a dream. In this episode of Make Your Market , we’re talking about business structures —and why choosing the right one is critical for your success, protection, and growth. From sole proprietorships to LLCs , partnerships and even S-corps , Karin breaks down what each structure means, how to set it up, what taxes look like, and which one fits best depending on your sales revenue and risk. Whether you're just getting started with a home-based bakery or running a thriving seasonal produce stand, this episode will help you protect your assets, stay compliant, and make smart moves as your business grows. Remember to always work with a local CPA or tax attorney for your specific state and needs. We're not tax professionals, just providing information to help you be more informed when you do seek that help. Questions? Reach out by commenting below or sending us an email to makeyourmarket at wolfcreekfamilyfarm.com. Enjoying the Show? Leave us a review, share this episode with a fellow vendor, and don’t forget to subscribe for more tips to grow your market business—without burning out.

With dozens of vendors selling everything from tomatoes to tamales, how do you make your booth the one shoppers remember—and return to week after week? In this episode of Make Your Market, we dig into the importance of carving out a clear niche for your market business. You’ll learn: ✅ Why defining your niche makes you memorable in a crowded market ✅ The different types of vendor niches—from produce growers and bakers to meat producers, crafters, and value-added vendors ✅ How to identify gaps in your local market using simple market research strategies ✅ Ways to differentiate your products—even if others are selling something similar ✅ Why showing up consistently builds trust, loyalty, and long-term sales Whether you’re just figuring out your product lineup or trying to refine your offerings, this episode will help you think more strategically about your place in the market—and how to make it work for you. These first 10 episodes are your onramp for selling at the farmer's market! Tune in every other Wednesday as we bring more market vendor magic.

Not all farmers’ markets are created equal—and understanding how they’re organized can make or break your selling experience. In this episode, we’re diving into the behind-the-scenes of market management to help you get clear on what to expect before you show up with a booth full of products. We’ll explore: ✅ How farmers’ markets are typically organized and managed (and by whom) ✅ The key differences between markets run by non-profits, municipalities, chambers of commerce, and private organizers ✅ What you need to know about local, county, and state-level regulations—and how they apply to you ✅ Tips for researching and choosing the right market for your business ✅ What questions to ask the market manager before you commit Whether you're just getting started or thinking about adding a new market to your rotation, this episode will help you feel more confident and prepared to make the best decision for your products and your business.

Episode 1: Finding Your Why – Clarifying Your Purpose for Selling at the Farmers’ Market Welcome to the very first episode of the Make Your Market podcast! In this foundational episode, we're digging into one of the most important—but often overlooked—questions: Why do you want to sell at a farmers’ market?Whether you're dabbling in a hobby, testing the waters with a side gig, or diving in full-time, understanding your purpose will shape every decision you make—from how you spend your time and money to what you grow, bake, or make.In this episode, we’ll explore:The key differences between running your market booth as a hobby, a side hustle, or a full-fledged businessWhy defining your “why” can prevent burnout and decision fatigueHow your motivation influences pricing, product selection, and marketing strategiesReal-world considerations like budget, time investment, and family balanceIf you’ve been thinking about starting a booth or you're already in the game and want to get more intentional with your efforts, this episode is the perfect place to start.🎧 Tune in now and let’s make sure your market venture starts (or continues!) with clarity and confidence. Contact us at makeyourmarket@wolfcreekfamilyfarm.com