Market stall pastry baker

Market shoppers, festival visitors and people looking for fresh treats and gifts, especially around holidays.

Per-item sales at the stall, with bundles and gift boxes raising the average sale. Stalls can also take pre-orders for custom cakes and holiday items.

• Baking in batches
• Display and merchandising
• Friendly customer service
• Planning stock and cash handling

• Market vendors usually need a food permit and sometimes proof of an approved kitchen, so check requirements with the market and public health unit
• Commercial general liability insurance, which many markets require as a condition of a stall
• Weather, winter closures and seasonal swings, so plan for quieter months
• Allergen labelling and safe transport and storage of food
• Stall fees, kitchen rental and tent or table costs that eat into margins
• Sales tax rules on baked goods differ by province, so check GST/HST treatment

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on stall fees, kitchen rental, tent and table costs, and your baking supplies. These are estimates, and those costs can eat into margins.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $800 to $4,000, depending on how many markets you attend, your products and the weather. Seasonal swings and winter closures mean quieter months.

Check whether the market and your public health unit require a food permit and proof of an approved kitchen. Also check liability insurance, which many markets require, allergen labelling, safe food transport and storage, and GST/HST treatment of baked goods in your province.