Guide to Selling Eggs at the Farmers Market
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It is said that many consumers prefer buying eggs at the farmers' market. One reason is that chicken eggs at farmers' markets are much healthier since these come from local farms, and chickens raised in local family-owned farms get much more humane treatment. They might be free-ranging and pasture-raised.
Chickens raised on farms, foraging in pastures, have a nutrient-rich diet of seeds, grains, grass, worms, and insects. Studies show that eggs of farm-raised poultry have less cholesterol, have the right kind of fat, and contain more vitamins than conventional industrial-raised eggs. Plus they also taste better than conventional eggs. This means you can increase your farm fresh egg prices. So, what’s the lowdown on how to sell eggs at a farmers market?
Requirements for Selling Eggs at Farmers Market
On how to sell eggs in Texas? With the mentioned qualities in the preceding paragraphs, fresh-from-the-farm eggs are one of the popular items sold at a farmers market near me. It is a surefire way to make money, as many people seek products from small farms, such as eggs.
Do you need a license to sell eggs? As per regulations from the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS), there are requirements needed to sell eggs at the farmers' market. These are:
You must have a temporary food establishment permit
Eggs sold at the farmers market must be maintained at an ambient air temperature of 45°F and below.
Eggs sold at the farmers market MUST be labeled as “UNGRADED” with safe handling instructions.
Though eggs are unprocessed farm products, you would still need a temporary food establishment as eggs are considered a potentially hazardous food as eggs if not properly handled and stored could harbor pathogens that could cause food poisoning.
Tips for Selling Eggs at Farmers Markets
Now you have the temporary food establishment permit and the supplies are ready to roll out. You might need to determine the correct pricing for poultry products you intend to sell at the market.
You might factor in the cost of raising chickens including the cost of feed, supplements, medicines, the construction of enclosure and coop, and add the expenses on egg cartons, labeling materials, and transportation (vehicle gas). Sometimes the cost of selling these eggs is higher than the conventional ones sold in supermarkets.
But some consumers put a premium on having farm-fresh, healthy, and delicious eggs. You only need to show and convince buyers that your product is worth the price. Here are some of the tips:
Show The Yolk
It's the color of the yolk that entices consumers to prefer buying farm eggs. It is said that the darker the yolk the more vitamins it has and it also has lesser cholesterol. I also would dig a darker-colored yolk as it is tastier than a paler-colored yolk.
To entice people into buying eggs from your farms you might need to crack some eggs into a bowl to show people the color of your yolk.
Offer Eggs From Other Poultry Animals
Try selling eggs from other poultry birds. You might want to offer duck eggs, they are more nutrient-dense than chicken eggs as they contain more Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and Omega 3. Duck eggs are also rich in selenium which helps boost your immune system.
Turkey eggs are a good source of B vitamins particularly B9 or folate which helps in red blood cell formation. Goose eggs contain a good source of protein and iron. Quail eggs are rich in riboflavin, selenium, and vitamin B12.
Guinea fowl eggs though they produce fewer eggs than chicken but have a higher content of fat, protein, and micronutrients.
Colorful Eggs
You might want to sell eggs that have colors other than the usual white. These colored eggs might provide conversation pieces for market-goers and are a surefire way to attract a crowd.
There are more than 100 chicken breeds around the world (60 chicken breeds recognized by the American Poultry Association). Many of these breeds lay colored eggs. The Ameraucana chicken breed lay blue eggs, Olive Egger chickens yield greenish eggs, and Black Copper Marans chickens have dark brown eggs.
Take note that the color of the eggshell does not determine quality or nutrient value or taste.
Free Samples
Giving out free samples will be beneficial to your egg store.
Let people try to cook an egg that you gave out as a sample, if they are convinced of the product they might become return customers.
Do Some Creative Packaging
Instead of the usual egg cartons, you can try to do some creative packaging.
You can explore eggcartons.com for some unique egg carton designs. You can also put some ribbons or personalized labeling on the egg packaging.
Provide a Nutrition Information
Many people going to farmers' markets are on the lookout for healthy food ingredients such as vegetables, fruits, meat, and other animal products such as eggs.
You can put a nutrition information label on your egg packages or give out cards or flyers to your customers or those visiting the farmers' markets. These will also help educate consumers on the benefits of farm-fresh, pasture-raised chicken eggs.
Create an Audio-Visual Experience
Place photos of your chickens and your farm to show the source of the eggs you are selling. You might put up a small sound system for some music or farm sounds. These can help attract the crowd to the farmers' market.
Promote Your Product Online
Promoting your pasture-raised eggs on the internet, particularly social media will help entice people who are regularly spending their time online. If your farm has a website or social media you can try to post more promotional collaterals of your products.
Facebook would be a good source to promote your products as Texas has about 20.5 million people with Facebook accounts (as of 2021).
Eggs from pasture-raised poultry are nutritious and delicious as compared to conventional eggs sold in supermarkets and these qualities and health benefits make them a coveted item among farm markets.
But before selling, check if you have the necessary permits or licenses from the state or your locality. You might need to comply with requirements that usually relate to food safety. before you can put it on merchandise.
And just like any other business product, such as local honey, you can build up your brand of poultry eggs with creative and informative packaging and promotions. By building your brand of healthy, delicious farm-fresh eggs you don’t have to compete with pricing from conventional egg sellers.
Boost your income and contribute to your local community by becoming one of the local artists selling in Texas. Follow these steps to acquire the required licenses, gather supplies, and sell your homemade food products at farmers' markets.
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