Thanks for sharing - you are so talented. LOVE your cookies!
Thanks!
Do you use the WBH shortening/butter type buttercream or their meringue?
I was thinking of using their shortening/butter buttercream for my regular icing and if it holds up to adding things like jams that would be awesome!
How did everything hold up in the weather?
Do you use the WBH shortening/butter type buttercream or their meringue?
How did everything hold up in the weather?
I use the meringue BC.
I brought everything chilled and it seemed to do ok until the sun hit.
I was able to keep my table shaded under the tent so most stuff was fine.
the mini cupcakes with the MBC got hit with some sun and got a little soft.
I think I'm going to try and figure some ice packs for next time.
Thank you for this post Jen! Your booth looks great and you are so adorable it's nice to put a face to a name! I have been thinking about doing our farmer's market here when they start up again. I'm just nervous that I won't sell enough to make money. I never even thought about dressing up the booth that's really good advice. I love the sign you made from vista print I'll have to check that out.
Wow!! Your table and your presentation look absolutely fantastic!! I don't know how you pulled off all of the baking ( am exhausted looking at it 
), but I am really, really impressed! I think you will find a huge following at the Famer's Market. And from now on, it will be more profit after that initial outlay. Congrats on a job very, very well done! 
cocorum21,
I guess my advise is that pretty much everything that I bought was functional, I just suggest that you think about the presentation.
(table - must have, tablecloth - pretty much a must have and the white polyester from Kohls was about the same as a floral vinyl, food covers - must have depending on what you are selling, boxes - must have, pricing information - must have) I just did my best to use what I had and thinking about it as a whole picture extenting my business image (i.e. my Posh style and blue colors...) (the other vendors have different style and a different look - but they work at it to make it a professional pulled together look)
I think that I made just about enough to cover my setup costs, so next time it should be better. (not to mention the advertising!)
was it worth it for a one time $375? maybe. would it be worth it for several weeks like that? yep.
jenng1482 ,
every state is so different it's hard for me to help you.
IN just pasted a law exempting farmer's market vendors from the health dept regs regarding commercial kitchens.
Thanks so much, Jen!! I've been avoiding outdoor markets here in PA due to the weather and heat. But since you mentioned you use meringue BC, as I do, I might have to try it! I also do a lot of chocolate dipped items, so I'd have to experiment with those.
I've been on the lookout for great packaging, so thanks for the great ideas and resources! I also just ordered my biz cards for the first time on vista, and I saw they make banners. I love yours
I do a lot of auction type fundraisers, so these are great ideas for me you have so kindly shared. I might need to PM you if I sign up for the farmer's market! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! -Kim
And I love your pink chef coat. Do you mind me asking where you got it?
there are a lot of threads about coats...
I got mine at:
http://www.chefuniforms.com/chef-coats/womens-chef-coats/0225.asp?frmcolor=PINK
Wow, Jen, you have been a busy, busy lady 
I enjoyed reading your post and looking at your blog pics of the farmer's market. You definitely have your act together, and I'm sure you are going to be very successful there. Your setup was very impressive and professional looking, and your products were amazing. Did you do all of the baking yourself? I can't even imagine how organized and disciplined you must be to bake the variety and quality of goodies you had. Thanks for sharing that with us, and good luck at your future markets
Wow, Jen, you have been a busy, busy lady I enjoyed reading your post and looking at your blog pics of the farmer's market. You definitely have your act together, and I'm sure you are going to be very successful there. Your setup was very impressive and professional looking, and your products were amazing. Did you do all of the baking yourself? I can't even imagine how organized and disciplined you must be to bake the variety and quality of goodies you had. Thanks for sharing that with us, and good luck at your future markets
Wow, Jen, you have been a busy, busy lady I enjoyed reading your post and looking at your blog pics of the farmer's market. You definitely have your act together, and I'm sure you are going to be very successful there. Your setup was very impressive and professional looking, and your products were amazing. Did you do all of the baking yourself? I can't even imagine how organized and disciplined you must be to bake the variety and quality of goodies you had. Thanks for sharing that with us, and good luck at your future markets
I love your blog! And your set up... And your adorable little cakes and cookies... LOL!! So I had to follow you! I can't wait to see how your next trip to the market goes!
Jen, your booth at the Farmer's Market was absolutely beautiful! Like others have said, you've got your "start up" expenses out of the way so the next time you should earn some cha-ching cha-ching!
In my neck of the woods (Western North Carolina), they have what they call "Tailgate Markets" meaning people sell their baked goods, canned goods and garden produce when it's ready. Unfortunately, in last week's paper there was an article where the inspector's showed up (in Asheville) and started warning all the sellers that they had to follow the regulations of the FDA and that if they wanted to sell their baked and canned goods any longer, they had to package the items listing all ingredients and submit each product for "testing" at "$50 per recipe"! I'm all for protecting the public and all that, but come on. For years, I have bought honey, baked items (especially from the roadside tables in Amish country when on vacations), jellies and jams, etc. from places all over the US and not once have I ever gotten sick! It's getting where the little man/or woman has to forget about ever wanting to better him or her self... 
Jen, your booth at the Farmer's Market was absolutely beautiful! Like others have said, you've got your "start up" expenses out of the way so the next time you should earn some cha-ching cha-ching!
In my neck of the woods (Western North Carolina), they have what they call "Tailgate Markets" meaning people sell their baked goods, canned goods and garden produce when it's ready. Unfortunately, in last week's paper there was an article where the inspector's showed up (in Asheville) and started warning all the sellers that they had to follow the regulations of the FDA and that if they wanted to sell their baked and canned goods any longer, they had to package the items listing all ingredients and submit each product for "testing" at "$50 per recipe"! I'm all for protecting the public and all that, but come on. For years, I have bought honey, baked items (especially from the roadside tables in Amish country when on vacations), jellies and jams, etc. from places all over the US and not once have I ever gotten sick! It's getting where the little man/or woman has to forget about ever wanting to better him or her self...
Jen, your booth at the Farmer's Market was absolutely beautiful! Like others have said, you've got your "start up" expenses out of the way so the next time you should earn some cha-ching cha-ching!
In my neck of the woods (Western North Carolina), they have what they call "Tailgate Markets" meaning people sell their baked goods, canned goods and garden produce when it's ready. Unfortunately, in last week's paper there was an article where the inspector's showed up (in Asheville) and started warning all the sellers that they had to follow the regulations of the FDA and that if they wanted to sell their baked and canned goods any longer, they had to package the items listing all ingredients and submit each product for "testing" at "$50 per recipe"! I'm all for protecting the public and all that, but come on. For years, I have bought honey, baked items (especially from the roadside tables in Amish country when on vacations), jellies and jams, etc. from places all over the US and not once have I ever gotten sick! It's getting where the little man/or woman has to forget about ever wanting to better him or her self...
Jen, your booth at the Farmer's Market was absolutely beautiful! Like others have said, you've got your "start up" expenses out of the way so the next time you should earn some cha-ching cha-ching!
In my neck of the woods (Western North Carolina), they have what they call "Tailgate Markets" meaning people sell their baked goods, canned goods and garden produce when it's ready. Unfortunately, in last week's paper there was an article where the inspector's showed up (in Asheville) and started warning all the sellers that they had to follow the regulations of the FDA and that if they wanted to sell their baked and canned goods any longer, they had to package the items listing all ingredients and submit each product for "testing" at "$50 per recipe"! I'm all for protecting the public and all that, but come on. For years, I have bought honey, baked items (especially from the roadside tables in Amish country when on vacations), jellies and jams, etc. from places all over the US and not once have I ever gotten sick! It's getting where the little man/or woman has to forget about ever wanting to better him or her self...
thanks all for tour kind words!!!
(yes Pebbles, I do all the baking myself and it is a TON of work.)
as a bit of an update, last weekend we did the market again.
it was down, but I talked to another vendor that said it was just a down day. the other baker - the cupcake lady - was there too, so I think we did pretty good with all that.
I'm going back this saturday too.
I don't expect to sell a ton, but it's still worth it.
I have made such great contacts doing it.
I met a local store owner that might want to do events (cupcake/cookie decorating parties)
I met an executive chef at a local country club that told me to call him about weddings.
I had numerous cake orders, and a wedding for October.
as for the HD, I heard that the HD in my hometown in IL sort of 'raided' the farmers market. here, there are requirements for labeling which I just about have, but am still working out.
more photos on my blog
http://poshpastries.blogspot.com/
just visited your blog and left a comment there, but i also want to thank you for sharing your experience. i love your labels and signs- and your shop name! i wish we could be licensed home bakers in washington state=( i dream of one day opening up shop.
I'm now following your blog, so keep the great pictures coming! My events in our area are slower since graduation. Tons of people are at the shore (East coast talk for the beach) and on vacation. I knew it wasn't just me when all the other vendors felt the same hurt in their sales. What great contacts and networking in the meantime! I find there is more time between sales to network when the crowd isn't so large. Rest up -the fall and Christmas orders are brewing!
I'm now following your blog, so keep the great pictures coming! My events in our area are slower since graduation. Tons of people are at the shore (East coast talk for the beach) and on vacation. I knew it wasn't just me when all the other vendors felt the same hurt in their sales. What great contacts and networking in the meantime! I find there is more time between sales to network when the crowd isn't so large. Rest up -the fall and Christmas orders are brewing!
I'm now following your blog, so keep the great pictures coming! My events in our area are slower since graduation. Tons of people are at the shore (East coast talk for the beach) and on vacation. I knew it wasn't just me when all the other vendors felt the same hurt in their sales. What great contacts and networking in the meantime! I find there is more time between sales to network when the crowd isn't so large. Rest up -the fall and Christmas orders are brewing!
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