Selling Mushrooms At Farmers Markets
Farmers markets are a great place to sell gourmet mushrooms and can help you get a higher price for your produce. This is because specialty mushrooms are highly sought after for their unique flavor, texture and color. You need to ensure that the mushrooms stay fresh and retain their quality until they reach the end consumer. With proper post-harvest management, you can maximize your profits by selling fresh high-quality at a premium price.
For mushroom farmers, freshness and speed of sale is key. You want to ensure that your produce is sold as soon as possible, to avoid having it dry out or spoil. To achieve this, you need to have a good network of buyers. Farmers markets provide a perfect networking environment, which is essential to make sure that your products is sold quickly and with the best price possible.
By giving out cards, brochures, special offers, and more at farmers markets, you can increase your chances of making sales in the future. Even just having your name on a sign at the farmers market can be enough to draw in customers.
You can also encourage customers to buy online or follow you on social media for future updates. With the right marketing strategy, you can use these local events to grow your business and make more sales.
What You’ll Need
If you are interested in selling your mushrooms at the farmers market, there are a few steps you’ll need to follow and you’ll need to make sure that you have the right equipment. Here is a run down of the process:
- Obtain Necessary Licenses: Before you start selling your mushrooms, you’ll need to obtain any necessary licenses and permits from your local government. This may include a vendors license or a food safety license. Typically you don’t need a licenses to sell fresh fruits and vegetables, including mushrooms.
Note; You will need a sellers permit if you are selling anything that is not fresh fruit and vegetables in most states, which you can obtain through the Department of Revenue. The grow kits and spores sold in syringes are tangible personal property. For example, the sale of tangible personal property in Wisconsin is subject to Wisconsin sales or use tax unless an exemption applies (e.g., farming, resale) and the purchaser gives you a fully completed exemption certificate.
- Cooler: You’ll need to store your mushrooms while you’re at the market.
- Scales: In order to sell your mushrooms by weight, you’ll need to have a set of scales on hand.
- Packaging: You’ll need to have appropriate packaging material, such as clear bags or containers, this will allow your customers to see the quality of your produce and make it easy for your customers to take them home.
- Table and Display: You’ll also need a table and a display setup to show off your mushrooms at the market. Consider using a table cloth, posters or signage to make your booth stand out.
- Price List and Acceptable Forms of Payment: You’ll need to have a price list on hand, clearly displaying the cost of each type of mushroom you’re selling and make sure you have a way to accept payment such as cash or credit.
Useful packaging links;
Cardboard box with clear window
With all these basics in place you’ll be able to start selling your mushrooms at the the farmers market!
Click on the links below to learn more about selling to restaurants and market regulations.