Nuts and trail mix market stall

Market shoppers, hikers and campers, health-minded snackers, and people buying gift bags or snacks for work and parties.

Price by weight or bag size, with a markup on bulk ingredients. Signature blends and gift bags bring a higher margin than plain nuts.

• Friendly selling face to face
• Weighing, pricing and basic bookkeeping
• Careful with food hygiene and labelling

• Check with your public health unit whether you need a food premises permit or a food handler certificate
• Allergen labelling for peanuts, tree nuts and sulphites in dried fruit, check CFIA labelling rules for packaged goods
• Commercial general liability insurance, which many markets require
• Winter closures: outdoor markets are seasonal in many areas, so plan indoor markets or online sales
• Check whether you need to register for GST/HST once revenue passes the small supplier threshold

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,000 to $4,000 CAD, depending on stock, scales, packaging and stall equipment. Monthly revenue is estimated at around $600 to $3,000, depending on how many markets you attend and what you sell.

Check with your public health unit whether you need a food premises permit or food handler certificate. Also check CFIA labelling rules for packaged goods, including allergens such as peanuts, tree nuts and sulphites, plus insurance, which many markets require.

Outdoor markets are seasonal in many areas, so consider indoor markets or online sales for winter. The estimate is at least about 8 hours a week. Check GST/HST registration once revenue passes the small supplier threshold.