Market and festival food stall

Market shoppers, festival crowds and families looking for a quick, affordable bite.

You sell individual items or combo meals at a fixed price. Ingredients are cheap compared with the selling price, and you pay stall fees to the market or event, sometimes as a percentage of sales.

• Cooking quickly and consistently
• Food safety habits
• Friendly customer service
• Basic costing and cash handling

• Health unit approval or a temporary food permit, which varies by province and health region
• Commercial general liability insurance, which many markets require before they accept you
• Propane, fire safety and electrical rules for cooking equipment, so check with the event organizer and your provincial or local safety authority
• Winter and wet weather cut the number of outdoor events in much of Canada, so expect income to be seasonal
• Some places require you to prep in a licensed or commissary kitchen rather than at home, so check before you start

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on your equipment, menu and set-up. Check whether you need to prep in a licensed or commissary kitchen, as that may affect your costs.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on your menu, pitches and events. Winter and wet weather cut the number of outdoor events in much of Canada, so expect income to be seasonal.

Check health unit approval or a temporary food permit, which varies by province and health region. Also check liability insurance that many markets require, and propane, fire and electrical rules with the organizer and your safety authority.