How do you figure out a fair price? I rarely go to a farmers market, unless I am already in town. I just don't make special trips. Anyhow, we always have large gardens. Everyone around here tends to know that. So I end up being asked how much we charge. Well we don't. We get what we can to feed our family and then have always given away the rest (which is fine too)
This year we really have an over abundance of winter squash and I'd like the kids to be able to sell what they can for their "pocket" money (afterall they have earned it) I know prices are going to vary across the states, and organic versus non will always play a good part in pricing too. Do you have experience in this and what advice would you give?

Many Thanks!

I love farmers markets but have learned that many of the dealers price their produce way too high.
For example, at our local F.M. the other day a dealer had a bunch of green onion priced at $2 per. In the grocery store they are 4 for a dollar.
I totally understand the cost a small grower incurs but you have to be competitive.

I would survey the local markets and price the kids squash accordingly.

I'm considering selling my jams at the local F.M. but I am reluctant to do so because I know how much I need to charge in order to make a profit which would have to be higher than what is charged in the grocery store, even though my tastes much better and is a of a higher quality, all natural ingredients.

I do not go to Farmer Markets very often because they seem to price the stuff too high.
And the produce is not kept so fresh sometimes.
I would check other suppliers prices and the stores prices.
That is a great idea---to have the kids sell what they helped to grow.

We sell at the local market from time to time. For pricing we try to find that sweet spot between what other growers are selling for and what is being priced at the grocery store.

If we have bushels and bushels of something and we're trying to just move it out, we'll sell it for real cheap. We did that with onions one year and it went well.

Heirloom tomatoes that are in high demand bring a high price and people have no trouble paying whatever we ask for Kellogg's Breakfast tomatoes.

Thanks everyone! We have some hutterite colonies around that tend to undercut many people, which makes it tough. Paul I know what you mean about the jams and jellies. My husband sometimes takes pepper jelly to snack on at work and those fellas now always ask when they can order. I get $8/pint and they don't blink an eye on it. I guess it all just depends on where you are trying to sell. Homemade is so much tastier than store bought. I bet you wouldn't have any trouble finding a reliable customer base.

For the squash I'll have to bite the bullet and go to town to do some price checking. It's been a month ago I stopped at a little stand and he priced his tomato's at $1, $2.5, $3.5, and $4. This was per tomato he told me. Onions were 2/lb. I had only stopped because my plants were not looking too hot so thought I might have to supplement a little more in order to make salsa and suace. Needless to say, I left empty handed. I just can't afford to pay that price, kudos to those that can and will, but that isn't me.

Dave, what's the big thing with a Kellogg's Breakfast tomato?

The Kellogg's Breakfast are a great tasting, large slicing tomato. We've grown and sold them a lot around our area so they have developed a reputation, I guess. They do grow really well for us here. We can't grow those nice pink brandywines.

I've grown it for several years, excellent flavor, large fruits.

oh WOW.. now I SEE!! LOL That is a lovely looking tomato, I can see why it would be so popular. I think I'll have to give that one a try next year

Thanks!

At my favorite local farm stand they are charging $4 doz for corn, 3 for $1 on medium tomatoes, 2 for a $1 on cukes, and 3 for a dollar on Zuchinni. My son grew Kellog's Yellow Breakfast tomatoes this year and brought me some. I found the flavor a little mild. I've liked others better. I wonder if where it is grown might affect the flavor? Local cants are $2 to $3 dollars depending on the size. A good local cant is one of my favorite things. I'm looking forward to the winter squash being ready. My favorite is Sweet Meat. Hurray for summer produce.

I've wondered that too on the location if it made a difference in taste. Those are pretty good prices. mmmmm fresh cantalope (and watermelon) can't be beat!

We grow many varieties of winter squash each year. Sweet Meat does have a wonderful flavor. A new one for us growing this year was Tennessee Sweet Potato. A couple weeks ago one had a growth spurt and started to split, so I picked it. A few nights later I sliced, peeled, diced it... then fried it in butter (just like regular potato's) My family actually stated they liked it better than regular potato's. I didn't think I would ever hear those words.

That is one really nice tomato!

I'm trying to get some winter chat going about cooking.
come on over and pitch in:
http://cubits.org/worldcuisine...