Market stall fruit and veg seller

Market shoppers, regulars who come weekly, and local families who want fresh seasonal produce.

You sell by weight, by the basket or by the item, at a mark-up on what you pay. Regular customers and bundle deals help sales stay steady.

• Friendly selling and chatting with customers
• Judging quality and pricing
• Early-morning organizing and lifting
• Handling cash and card payments

• Some markets only allow growers to sell their own produce, so check each market's rules on resellers
• Scales used for selling by weight may need to be approved or certified, so check with Measurement Canada
• Commercial general liability insurance, which many markets require
• Weather and the short outdoor season in much of Canada, so plan for slower winter months or indoor markets
• Check municipal or provincial vendor permits and any public health requirements

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $1,500 to $8,000 CAD, depending on your tent, tables, scale, signage, insurance and the stock you buy for your first markets. Treat this as an estimate only.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on the markets you attend, your prices and your product range. The estimate assumes at least about 12 hours a week. The outdoor season can be short in much of Canada.

Check each market's rules, as some only allow growers to sell their own produce. Also check whether your scale needs approval with Measurement Canada, municipal or provincial vendor permits, public health requirements, and liability insurance, which many markets require.