Farmers Market Canopy? Banner?

[lovermont]

This will be our first year at a farmers market and we're looking to purchase a canopy for sun/rain protection.
Any suggestions on where to purchase one or what to look for when purchasing one?

We're also researching where to get a banner from. Suggestions on that?

Any other farmers market advice is greatly appreciated also!

[Ldavis24]

First yay for you! that is a dream of mine eventually to sell at our local FMs...

As far as canopies go...check out any sporting goods store, they sell many varieties.. You want an EZ UP...They are simple and relatively inexpensive, you can get a decent one for under 200 and yes that is cheap for those things! You could get one for under 100 but it will be flimsy as all $^#%

I have a lot of experience with these things having bought at least a half dozen... I have had a few blowing away incidents, one ended up in the ocean...another story for another day..

Anyway google EZ UP canopies and you will find a huge variety of sizes and styles. I would find out the average size of everyone else's canopies there so you aren't taking up too much space or have too small a canopy. 

As far as banner's I have no idea...There are always local sign companies who do banners and the like I would just google that as well.

Congratulations!

[lovermont]

Thank you so much! I'm assuming a 10x10 canopy? I'm not sure. The nearest biggest farmers market says 10x7 but doesn't give the third dimension (like 10x7 is the length and width?) Good to know about EZ UP. I'll definitely google that now. Thanks!

[Ldavis24]

yeah the EZ ups are generally 10 by 10

[Adaline'sMama]

Another vote for an EZUP. If you can afford it, there is a coleman canopy at walmart for $85.00. My neighboors used theirs for 3 years, and its still going. It isnt as sturdy and awesome as the ezup, but it will work.

[lovermont]

This is the one we ordered. I'm nervous about how heavy it apparently is but the heft is a benefit because it says how durable the canopy is (or at least the frame). We also ordered sandbags.

[talia rose]

try www.greenbanners.com for your banner. They are great to work with and no nasty vinyls.....

[lovermont]

Thank you so much!
I just filled out their form requesting more information.

At the moment we're considering Vistaprint which makes us a little uncomfortable but we "know" them, kwim?

[mljones]

I found CanopyMarket.com to be a good source for market canopies.

[FarmerBeth]

We have an overhead roof for our farm market, so I haven't had to canopy.  Along the lines of the canopy and banner, think about how you do the table cloth and display.  I find it affects the feel.  I'm a fiber artist and a food producer (veggies, berries, sprouts, eggs), so I often use my own felt for the table covering, but I've seen some of the farmers use burlap as a lovely rustic covering, or nice, bright plaid, whatever's in keeping with your product.  Have the prices displayed so it's easy for the customer to see, and think of some nice baskets, crates, etc to hold your vegetables or other goods not requiring refrigeration.  Think of it kind of like branding.  Eventually, your stall gets a look or feel that everyone comes to expect and they say "Oh, there's the one who always has those nice pea shoots (or whatever)".

[justmama]

Originally Posted by FarmerBeth 

We have an overhead roof for our farm market, so I haven't had to canopy.  Along the lines of the canopy and banner, think about how you do the table cloth and display.  I find it affects the feel.  I'm a fiber artist and a food producer (veggies, berries, sprouts, eggs), so I often use my own felt for the table covering, but I've seen some of the farmers use burlap as a lovely rustic covering, or nice, bright plaid, whatever's in keeping with your product.  Have the prices displayed so it's easy for the customer to see, and think of some nice baskets, crates, etc to hold your vegetables or other goods not requiring refrigeration.  Think of it kind of like branding.  Eventually, your stall gets a look or feel that everyone comes to expect and they say "Oh, there's the one who always has those nice pea shoots (or whatever)".

I agree.  Some of my favorite farms at the farmer's market(we visit weekly and buy all our produce there in the warmer months) are careful about what they put out.  they use wooden crates on the ground next to the table for the big heavy stuff like watermelons and pumpkins and apples and the heavier gourds.  They put simple solid-colored tablecloths on the tables under the crates of food.  One of my favorite farms just started selling cloth produce bags that they made themselves after I had a chat with her about my own produce bags that I made.  She loved the idea and said that it would really reduce her overhead in purchasing small containers for things like cherry tomatoes or blueberries.  It adds a nice homey touch I think.  I'll walk away from a table that's not well labeled with cards saying the prices just because things get busy and I hate having to ask a busy farmer what their prices are.  I don't mind waiting for them when I've made my choice but i fyou don't have your prices well-labeled so that I can peek through the crowd to price compare, I won't stick around to ask.  My kids always remember the stall that has the cow skins to pet at the farmer's market.  Every week a local farm brings the pelts from their cows(those long-haired reddish colored highland cattle) that are grass-fed and organic.  We don't eat meat but my girls love that stall specifically just to pet the fur and look at the album of pictures of the newborn calves.  It's a HUGE attraction for the littles so they are well-known for that.  I think you have to make it your own and put your own spin on it.  There's another farm with 2 young guys covered in tattoos and piercings who grow hydroponic lettuce and they sell out of their old beat-up pickup truck while playing rock music.  Again, the kids love it!  It doesn't matter what niche you fill, you just gotta run with it and make it your own.

Best of luck to you.

ETA:  music or little samples makes a nice touch.  It makes you memorable.  When people go to the market they tend to walk the circle of vendors and decide as they are walking around and they come back after they've seen everything.  Your prices will clinch the deal but your atmosphere lures people in.  You'll be looked at twice if you have music playing or have a little sample of a tomato you grew or a bread you baked or maybe if you have something tactile out in front.  People look twice when they can lay their hands on things or use their senses in other ways(hearing, taste, etc).