What to Bring to Farmers Markets (and How to Actually Sell)
Selling at outdoor markets looks simple from the outside.
Set up a booth, display your products, wait for sales.
In reality, markets are one of the most misunderstood sales channels—especially for new vendors.
What you bring, how much you bring, which markets you choose, and what type of crowd you’re selling to matters far more than aesthetics or trends.
This guide is built from real-world experience, not theory.
First: Bring More Inventory Than You Think You Need
This is non-negotiable.
If you are new to markets, bring all available inventory to your first few events. Not because it will all sell—but because you need real data.
You cannot optimize what you don’t measure.
Once you have consistent sales history, a good rule of thumb is:
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5× your booth rent in retail value as a minimum
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More if it’s a high-traffic or established market
Example:
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$40 booth fee → bring at least $200 in sellable inventory
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$75 booth fee → bring $375–$500+
Understocking is one of the fastest ways to sabotage a good market.
Empty tables don’t create urgency—they signal missed opportunity.
Not All Outdoor Markets Are the Same
This is where most vendors go wrong.
“Farmers market” is a broad label, but the buyer mindset varies dramatically depending on the type of market.
1. Traditional Farmers Markets
What to expect:
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Heavy focus on food: produce, bread, honey, meat, eggs
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Some soaps, plants, flowers, and body products
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Shoppers expect practicality and repeat purchases
What sells best:
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Food (fresh, baked, or preserved)
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Plants and herbs
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Soaps and body care
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Functional home goods
Candles & décor:
Possible, but highly competitive. You must stand out clearly.
2. Craft Markets
What to expect:
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Mix of handmade goods, art, home décor, gifts
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More browsing, more impulse buys
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Seasonal themes (holiday-heavy)
What sells best:
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Giftable items
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Mid-priced handmade goods
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Items with a clear story or function
This is where branding and display matter more—but pricing still matters.
3. Artisan / Handmade-Only Markets
What to expect:
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Higher-quality vendors
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More discerning customers
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Shoppers expect craftsmanship
What sells best:
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Handcrafted furniture
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Woodwork
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Pottery
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Art
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High-quality body and home goods
These markets reward originality and skill. They punish mass-produced or trend-chasing products.
4. Markets With MLMs and Resellers
Proceed with caution.
What to expect:
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Customers burned by pitches
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Low trust
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Price sensitivity
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Less appreciation for handmade labor
If MLMs and resellers dominate a market, handmade vendors often struggle.
This doesn’t mean you can’t sell—but expectations should be adjusted.
Market Size Matters More Than You Think
Small Markets (10–25 booths)
Pros:
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Lower fees
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Easier logistics
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Good for testing products
Cons:
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Limited foot traffic
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Sales are inconsistent
Best for:
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New vendors
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Product testing
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Brand exposure
Medium Markets (30–60 booths)
The sweet spot for many vendors.
Balanced foot traffic, manageable competition, and decent conversion potential.
Large Markets (75–100+ booths)
High risk, high reward.
Pros:
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Massive exposure
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High sales potential
Cons:
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Higher booth fees
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Strong competition
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Requires full inventory and polished execution
If you underprepare for a large market, it will show immediately.
What Actually Sells at Markets (Consistently)
Across regions and market types, some categories outperform others:
Top performers:
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Food (fresh and prepared)
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Plants and flowers
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Soaps and body care
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Real wood furniture and décor
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Functional handmade goods
People go to markets to consume, replenish, or invest in quality.
Pure décor without function is harder to move unless it’s exceptional.
Products to Approach With Caution
Some categories are oversaturated and require clear differentiation:
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Candles
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3D prints
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Printed cups and tumblers
This doesn’t mean “don’t sell them.”
It means:
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Do not enter casually
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Do not copy what’s already there
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Do not rely on price alone
If you sell in these categories, your product must be:
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Visibly different
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Better quality
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Strongly branded
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Easy to understand quickly
Markets are fast-paced. Confusing booths lose sales.
Display and Sales Strategy (Quick Hits)
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Clear pricing (no guessing)
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Fewer products displayed well > too many poorly arranged
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Height matters—vertical displays draw attention
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One clear “hero” product
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Be approachable, not aggressive
Markets are relational, not transactional.
Where to Find Markets
Some of the best places to find markets:
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Facebook search (events, vendor calls)
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Local city or community pages
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Parks & recreation websites
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Downtown association pages
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Following vendors you respect and watching where they vend
Good markets rarely advertise loudly. They’re often found through community channels.
Final Thoughts
Markets are not passive income.
They are not guaranteed sales.
They are not “easy money.”
But they can be powerful when approached strategically.
Bring enough inventory.
Choose the right markets.
Sell what people actually want.
And learn from every event.
Data beats guessing—every time.
A Small Note of Gratitude
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