Selling: markets, farm gate, online

In short

• Check the rules before your first sale for your product and the way you sell it. Fresh vegetables and fruit are usually simplest; processed food and meat are the strictest (H64-07).
• The farm gate gives the best price and the lowest costs; a market the most customers; orders in advance the least waste.
• Work out your market day: sales minus pitch fee, fuel, packaging and your hours.
• At the stall: shade, clean, prices on show, and scales approved for trade if you sell by weight.
• Your customer list is the most valuable thing you have. Keep it — and keep customers' data responsibly.

What's inside

Chapters

1. Before the first sale: three questions
2. Ways to sell
3. Farm gate
4. Farmers' markets
5. Fairs and events
6. Weekly veg box on subscription
7. Online and social media
8. Restaurants, shops and wholesale
9. Easier together
10. Customers and trust
11. How much to produce for sale
12. Most common mistakes
13. Printable checklist

Worksheets

• Questions for the authorities
• Market-day calculator
• Stall kit
• Daily sales sheet
• Customer list and orders
• Weekly box plan
• Selling calendar