Farmers’ Market Vendor Checklist
Farmers’ markets require a lot of work to prepare for. Chances are, you’ll be tired the morning of the event and have a lot of thoughts running through your head (what if I don’t sell anything? Do I have enough stock? I wonder if it’s going to rain?).
A checklist is extremely handy to ensure you don’t forget any essentials.
Print your free copy and go through the list twice; once the night before the farmers’ market, and once the morning of.
You’ll be happy you did.
What do you need to sell at a farmers’ market?
What you need to bring will depend on what you’re selling. A vendor selling fresh produce won’t need tissue paper and bubble wrap for purchases, but a vendor selling pottery might.
>> If you’re looking for the steps required to prepare for a farmers’ market, check out: 10 Tips to Successfully Sell at a Farmers’ Market
Cross out any items on the checklist that are irrelevant to your business, and use the blank spaces to add your necessities.
Download your free farmers’ market checklist to print here: FARMERS’ MARKET CHECKLIST
*Print in black & white to save on colored ink
TRAVEL/SETUP
If you’ve never been to the market, have the address handy so you don’t have to search through emails the morning of. And make sure you know where load-in zones are, as well as where you can park all day.
- Event address & directions
- Unload zone location
- Parking options
- Dolly or cart
DISPLAY
It’s ideal to create your display at home, days before the event. Not only will a mock setup ensure you have everything you need to create an impactful and sales-friendly display, but it will also help you build your display quicker the day of the event (take a picture of your mock display so you can reference it when setting up at the farmers’ market). Here are the most common items farmers’ market vendors require for a display:
- Inventory
- Tent
- Tent weights
- Table/chair
- Tablecloth(s)
- Props/risers/shelves
- Signage
- Lighting
- Extension cord
- Water/ice (for food items)
- Scale (for food items)
MARKETING
The majority of shoppers won’t buy from you on the day of the event. So it’s important to market to as many shoppers as you can, to encourage them to buy from you later. You also want the people who do buy, to become repeat customers. These items will help generate future sales.
- Business cards
- Care cards/recipe cards
- Newsletter signup
- Lookbook/catalog
- Samples/giveaway materials
SALES
Brainstorm anything you’ll require to (legally) make sales. Walk through the process of selling to a shopper, completing a transaction, and wrapping their purchase to make sure everything you’ll need is listed.
- Small bills & coins (for giving change)
- Apron/lockbox
- Credit card reader
- Licenses/permits/insurance
- Calculator
- Receipt book
- Order forms
- Shopping bags
- Tissue paper/bubble wrap
TOOLS
Bring anything you might need to set up your tent, display fixtures, signage, etc., as well as tools/materials for touching up, repairing, or creating products/bundles/packages/etc. Prepare for the unexpected. If one of your price signs blows away or a customer breaks something, you’ll be thankful you brought extra materials and tools.
- Tape/glue
- Pen/pencil/marker
- Scissors
- Paper clips/Safety pins
- Rubber bands
- Extra tags/signs
- Lint roller
- Bag for garbage
- Tools for creating/fixing products
PERSONAL
Consider what you’ll need to be happy and comfortable throughout the day.
- Food & drinks
- Cooler
- Gum/mints
- Hand sanitizer
- Kleenex/Aspirin
- Lotion/lip balm
- Sunscreen
- Bug repellant
- Sunglasses/glasses
- Ergonomic mat
- Blanket
- Heater or fan
- Hat/gloves/scarf
- Rain jacket/umbrella
OTHER
What a vendor selling food needs to bring will be much different from what a vendor selling jewelry will need to bring. Add anything to the list that’s relevant to your business.
You may also want to check the event’s website to see if there is anything else they require or recommend vendors bring.
I hope this free printable Farmers’ Market Checklist is helpful!
Click here to download a copy of the Farmers’ Market Checklist
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Hey, I’m Erin 🙂 I write about small business and craft show techniques I’ve learned from being a small business owner for almost 2 decades, selling at dozens of craft shows, and earning a diploma in Visual Communication Design. I hope you find my advice helpful!