Eastern european foods market stall

Market shoppers, festival visitors, and Eastern European families looking for familiar products and holiday treats.

Retail margin on products sold at each event. Holiday gift boxes and pre-orders from regular customers can add sales between events.

• Friendly selling and chatting with customers
• Product knowledge and giving tasting tips
• Packing and loading a vehicle
• Planning stock for each event

• Temporary or market vendor food permits, which vary by county and event, so check with your health department
• Rules on selling homemade versus commercially packaged foods, since cottage food laws differ by state
• Labeling requirements for any imported or repackaged goods
• Weather and seasonal swings in sales
• General liability insurance, which many markets require
• Sales tax registration with your state

Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $8,000, depending on your tent and table setup, opening stock, vehicle needs and event fees. These are estimates, so price your own setup before you buy anything.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on how many markets and events you attend, your product range and the season. Treat these as estimates, because weather and seasonal swings can change sales.

Check temporary or market vendor food permits with your health department, since they vary by county and event. Also check your state's cottage food rules, labeling for imported or repackaged goods, and whether markets require liability insurance.