Bring Fair Trade to Your Farmers Market
Jeannie Clapp, Washington Presbytery, PCUSA, in Washington, Pennsylvania, takes Equal Exchange products to numerous farmers markets in the region south of Pittsburgh.
Because coffee, tea, and cacao (which becomes chocolate) aren’t grown in most places in the U.S., many local farmers markets allow folks to sell these items at booths, especially when they’re fairly traded and organic. If you’re used to selling Equal Exchange products at your church table sale or for your community group, the farmers market is a great way to connect with new people. It’s also a good way to have more in-depth conversations about food justice.
Many people understand the value of supporting their local farmers and paying prices that reflect the true cost of growing and harvesting their organic crops, and this is a great opportunity to explain that for non-local products, small-scale farmers deserve fair pricing too.
How to get started selling at a farmers market
Find out how to get a permit. Information is often available through your town’s website, or ask a vendor at your local market who you should call. Permits become available as early as February or March. You will most likely have to submit an application and pay a fee. Then, figure out how often you want to sell. Some markets allow you to be a “visiting vendor” and sell once a month. Secure your spot by obtaining a permit with your local government office.
Jeanne Clapp is a social justice advocate who’s been selling Equal Exchange at local farmers markets in Pennsylvania for years. Here are her top tips to have a successful farmers market table.
Get to know your customers. Start by asking “Are you familiar with Equal Exchange Fair Trade products?” Use our handy talking points to get started.
Try to offer small samples of chocolate or nuts. People love samples and it’s a great way to talk about Equal Exchange.
Have plenty of printed materials available. Folks love learning about the small farmer co-ops. It’s so easy and fun! Explore our easy-to-print downloads.
Can I order the products on consignment and return any leftover products?
Because our products are perishable food items, we are not able to sell them on consignment. Our hope is that our low wholesale prices make it easier for you to place your first order, and that soon the program will pay for itself and give you additional profit.
Which products do you recommend I offer for sale?
We suggest starting conservatively, with just 2-3 types each of coffee, tea, and chocolate, then expanding as you learn what your customers’ favorites are.
How much should I charge?
Are you hoping to raise money through the market? If so, how much money do you need to raise? Is your goal to expose more people to Fair Trade products, without necessarily making a profit for your group? The lower your prices, the more people will buy. You might want to do some research to find out how much products like these cost in local stores or what people in your community are accustomed to paying. Think about any extra costs so that you can ensure that your efforts become self-sustaining. Consider marking things up a dollar or more to cover the market booth fees and also your time. You can get free shipping by ordering at least $135 worth of product with each order. You might want to offer some bite sized samples of chocolate or nuts to draw people to your table and spark interest in the products. The cost of these samples will be another factor.
Ready to order?
Create an account on our webstore or call your order into our team at (774) 776-7366. Remember, you pay the wholesale case price so you should mark up the products after they arrive. Here’s a handy price list template you might use.
We recommend leaving at least 10 business days between the time you order and when you can expect delivery of your Equal Exchange goodies!