Should You Do a Farmers Market? Here's the Honest Truth
Hey Reader
If you’re just starting out, the farmers market might feel like the big leagues.
You pack up your goods, put on your Saturday's best, and show up hoping to sell out.
Sometimes you do. Sometimes you come home with a full coolers and question is it worth it.
So… is it worth it?
We've (Longbottom Farm) attended farmers markets for 7 years, so let me break it down.
✅ The Pros
- Immediate Face-to-Face Sales
You meet people who want what you have. That’s huge. They get to see you, trust you, and try your product. That facetime builds loyalty fast.
- Email List Growth
We put a clipboard on our table with a simple sign-up. That one sheet of paper helped build our entire email list. People want to stay in touch—just give them a way.
- Bulk Sales in a Day
A good market day meant we could move a ton of product—meat, eggs, or lemonade (our daughters business). For some farms, it’s the fastest way to cash flow.
- Free Press & Exposure
Our market landed us two PBS segments, a few local newspaper articles, and even social media features from the market itself. You never know who’s walking by. Just showing up creates opportunities.
❌ The Cons
- It Eats Up Your Day
Four hours at the booth sounds doable… until you factor in inventorying, packing, driving, setting up, breaking down, and restocking. It’s more like an 8–12 hour day easy.
- Fees & Insurance
Most markets charge a fee (ours ~ $30 per market)—and you may need extra liability insurance, too. Worth it if they promote the market. Not worth it if you’re just sitting there in the heat.
- Startup Costs
Tents, coolers, tables, signs, handouts, cash boxes, banners… it adds up fast. It’s not “just show up and sell.”
My Honest Take:
Yes—if you're just starting out, do it.
Commit to one season. It will jump-start your farm and your brand like nothing else. It was such a huge part of our initial growth (until we started growing online).
But here’s the key:
👉 While you’re there, focus on building your email list and online presence.
Because markets are great for momentum…
But if you're thinking long-term growth and scaling, you need a system that works when you're not standing behind a folding table.
That’s exactly why we built our website and email list—to keep sales going even when the market season ended.
If you’re ready to do the same, we help with that.
Your Turn:
Did markets help you grow—or just drain your weekends? Haven't been to a market yet but thinking about it? Share your thoughts on Instagram and Facebook.
Until next time,
