Organizing for the Farmers Market

While it is still too early to plant I am going to plan for the Farmers Market.  Last year(2010) I tried various set ups and this year I will do the same.  I have made some aprons I will try to sell and then I am going to try dried spices and fresh and dried herbs.  I am also going to try fresh pastas and some sauces to expand my market.

I didn’t have apple butter last year or any of the canned, picante’s, pickles and canned jalapenos to start the season, this year I will.

I am also doing research on all the Farmers Markets with a close proximity to see how they set up and sell as well as I will try to visit some of the Organic Farms within Missouri to see how they process their products and what they are successful in selling.

One of the major differences between the Farmers Market here in Louisiana that I attend and some that I visit in St. Louis and surrounding areas is the time in which they are open.  Most open from Wednesday to Sunday, the one in Louisiana is open only on Saturday only.  Louisiana charges $5.00 for the one day while others will charge $10.00 for weekdays and $20.00 for the weekends.  The higher charge would not benefit me as I am only making between $25.00 to $75.00 on the weekend here in Louisiana now, so my small home garden is already not suited for the bigger cities.

This booth charge difference might be a clue to those of you that have a home garden large enough to sell items yet not big enough to handle the $20.00 charge.  Look for a smaller town Farmers Market to participate in to get started.

Below are some comparisons between Missouri Farmers Markets to help you find the market that may suit you.

name		product/price/license
SOULARD MARKET http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/soulardmarket/index.html  730 Carroll Street, St. Louis, MO 63104 314 622-4180		product:75% non-food: yes, weekdays $10.00, weekends: $20.00, Business License: St. Louis
Sappington http://www.sappingtonfarmersmkt.com/ 8400 Watson Rd., St. Louis, MO 63119		must qualify as Farmer
Tower Grove http://www.tgmarket.org/tgfm-home.php Northwest Dr. & Central Cross Dr.ST. Louis, MO 63139		can work with other farmers, 150 miles from St. Louis, must register farm. Weekends: $35.00
Downtown Tower Grove http://www.tgmarket.org/dtfm-home.php Locust bewtween 8th and 9th, St. Louis		can work with other farmers, 150 miles from St. Louis, must register farm.Weekends: $20.00
Clayton Farmers Market http://www.claytonfarmersmarket.com/ 8282 Forsyth Bloulevard, St. Louis, MO 63105		weekends: $25.00, Business License required
Florissant Farmers Market http://fergusonfarmersmarket.com/ 20 S. Florissant, Florissant, MO 63135		membership + $15.00
Kirkwood Farmers Market http://www.downtownkirkwood.com/