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Post by lucyawild on Jan 22, 2014 23:04:54 GMT 1
Hi folks,
I am thinking about starting to sell at farmers markets post move. I have always toyed around with the idea but think I might actually be in a position to do it regulations wise (no pets in the kitchen for a start!).
My current plan is to do fresh, free-range microwaveable meals (suitable for home freezing), a few cakes/sweeties and maybe some chutneys and jams - I have a famous chilli jam recipe which my OH is begging for more of so figure I may as well do a big batch and make a bit of money off it!
My question is, for a 'standard' ready meal size, how much would you be willing to pay? I'm really struggling to compete with the supermarkets but obviously there's the unique selling point of it all being freshly home made, no additives, and of course free range.
I'd add that I'm a trained cordon bleu chef (fancy or what?!) so I hope they'd be tastier than the supermarket stuff as well as welfare friendly.
Anyone got any encouragement for me? Anyone want to shoot me down in flames?!
I wouldn't be looking to pay the bills with it, just to be able to spend some time cooking on my terms (a bit fed up with restaurant stuff as there isn't much creativity involved) and potentially see where it went.
I know there's one big farmers market in Cardiff but they do already have a 'ready meals' stall. However it is more like the 'COOK' range in that it's done in foil packages designed to be oven baked, and family size portions.
I'd definitely be doing microwaveable single portion ones - i.e. high end versions of what you get in the supermarket.
Would love some feedback that's not my parents/OH telling me to go for it (personally I think they just want all the samples).
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Post by happysnail on Jan 22, 2014 23:07:46 GMT 1
No advice to offer I'm afraid but it sounds fantastic and a lot of fun. Love the sound of the chilli jam  |
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Post by kafee on Jan 22, 2014 23:49:20 GMT 1
Sounds like an excellent idea and I'm sure it would be very popular. Price wise, depending on the area, I think people would be willing to pay a bit more for what you're purposing, than for the supermarket version. I'm afraid I wouldn't buy any myself, I've got ponies that keep me poor!
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Post by lucyawild on Jan 22, 2014 23:53:57 GMT 1
Thanks guys!
Kafee that's exactly my problem - I don't know what people that have money are willing to spend, never having been in that position myself!
I think to turn a profit (as I'm doing such small batches) it would have to be about £4.75 a pop. Which I think is extortionate. But aforementioned rich people might not!
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Post by jill on Jan 23, 2014 9:37:24 GMT 1
The tide is turning against processed foods so you might be on a winner - but you do realise if you are cooking to sell to the public your kitchen will have to be checked by your local Environmental Health? I know someone years ago who went down this route to make cakes and she had to replace a lot of her surfaces with stainless steel to be totally cleanable. Maybe that ought to be your first step - check whether you need to invest a lot in your kitchen?
Good luck though, I think it is the way forward, good home cooking and wholesome ingredients.
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Post by portiabuzz on Jan 23, 2014 9:51:26 GMT 1
sound like its worth a go, i like the sound of it keep us posted ! x |
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Post by janwilky on Jan 23, 2014 10:12:12 GMT 1
Someone on the Ludlow Farmer's market sells nice looking ready meals, though I've never looked at the prices as I'm another cash-strapped horse owner  . They're there regularly though and there are plenty of wealthy folk around here so I guess they must be doing OK. Someone else sells unusual jams and chutneys, including chilli jam... yummy! One or two of the more upmarket farm shops around here sell frozen ready meals - again, upper end of the market - and a local garage sells fresh ones which look nice but again I haven't bought them. But perhaps farm shops, local shops etc could be another potential selling point for you? They always look such tiny portions though, I'm always absolutely starving by the time I get round to eating and I look at those little packages and think I could eat two at least! It must be all that poo picking........! Our farmer's wife here made chutney, jam and marmalade on a commercial scale for a few years. She did really well, got a few Gold Taste Awards and sold mainly to delis locally and in London (her daughter lives there), but it was hard work and I don't think she made much profit. They had to go through all the regulatory hoops but they didn't have to alter the kitchen and she has wooden work surfaces. They did put in a temperature-controlled storage room in one of their cattle sheds, but I don't know that it was strictly necessary. They did have a few battles over labelling I seem to remember. You'd need to do your sums carefully to make sure all your hard work actually pays off. Good luck |
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Post by specialized on Jan 23, 2014 10:35:52 GMT 1
a friend started a catering business called Wye Cook a few years ago initially aimed at catering for peoples private parties, but was soon inundated with orders for ready meals so I am certain there is a market for quality ready meals. Possibly the farmers market will be a good initial outlet but keep looking for other outlets. Friend became so busy she recently sold the business.
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Post by cookie on Jan 23, 2014 10:47:31 GMT 1
We do occasionally buy at posh farmers markets lol I buy things like sauces, jams, chutneys etc. the positive being that they usually keep longer than ready meals but have bought that kind of thing on occasion. I think your price is at the high end but not unachievable. Can you do tasting at your stall, that will probably help. If I were you I would be thinking of a mixture of products so that you have a range of shelf lives and can manage stock that way. Ie if you sell ask your ready meals you still have some sauces or jams to keep traffic at your stall... The only other thing you should consider is the fee for the stall itself. Friends that do other cottage industry things tell me the charges vary with some being very expensive. Great idea snag I wish you all the best Sent from my GT-I9100 using proboards |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2014 11:19:19 GMT 1
We used to do a lot of farmers markets with ostrich meat that we farmed ourselves, and was home slaughtered. When we started out we costed the product out by how many portions we could get out of a carcass (sounds horible but the only way to sort it out) and we thougth people wouldn;t pay our prices as they were quite pricey really............we were surprised (pleasantly) as people are willing to pay a higher price for something thats a) fresh b) if you can make it with as many organically grown ingredients as possible then you have a sure fire winner people are turning towards the more 'organic ' foods. c) factor in a percentage of each sale towards the charges for the stall at the market..........we found some of them tended to be quite pricey. You also have to cost out what its going to cost you to cook them and package them and if you are thinking of a commercial venture then you might have to take your Health and Food Hygiene certificate, and you might have to ask of you need your kitchen modifying at all and factor those costs in accordingly.......it did cost us to have a couple of the little buildings at the farm modified but it was worth it for the amount we were selling........jsst a few things you have to consider.
We only stopped producing our meat because the Foot and Mouth epidemic finished us for sales and we sold the remainder of the ostriches off
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Post by lizpurlo on Jan 23, 2014 12:21:03 GMT 1
Great idea. I've found selling my own artwork that you have to stop looking at prices from the viewpoint of the impoverished horse owner, and remember that there are loads of posh and wealthy people out there to sell your meals to. There's always a sort of 'ceiling' though - ie you'll sell masses of an item at £9.50, and hardly any if you up the price to £10.25.
Flag up - big time - your Cordon Bleu credentials, and get the best, most attractive packaging you can afford. Get business cards and a great Facebook page, and go for it!
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Post by Hannah on Jan 23, 2014 17:44:50 GMT 1
Sounds like a good idea if you can make sure your costs (including labour and a profit margin!) are covered. I would consider going down the frozen route, longer shelf-life and I imagine many people will freeze them anyway. You could always have mostly fresh and then freeze anything that doesn't sell, then take it out as frozen the next time?
There is nothing stopping you from going to the farmers markets and having a good nosey around, and buy anything that looks similar to what you are planning. You can then compare price/taste/portion size etc. Also I would take a clipboard and ask everyone who walks past you if they would be interested and how much they would pay.
Another addition to the standard meals could be a "free from" range.
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pip
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Post by pip on Jan 23, 2014 22:53:01 GMT 1
Probably a good idea to do a Food Hygiene course, think it has to be repeated every 3 years. Telephone the local Environmental Health office to see what the rules and regulations are regarding selling at a Farmers Market- there are WI markets too. Do a bit of research by visiting some Farmers Markets and see what sells, what sort of price things are, if there is a gap in the market you could fill, decide which market will be worth going to, if you can get a place!
Really, all you can do is have a go ............. and good luck.
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Post by lucyawild on Jan 25, 2014 13:02:22 GMT 1
Thanks so much for all the help! I have my food hygiene certificate but currently no certified kitchen to work in so will have to try and find somewhere to cook that is certified. I definitely think it could be a potential goer though! WIll keep you all updated |
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Post by portiabuzz on Jan 25, 2014 13:54:39 GMT 1
Good luck it sounds really exciting !!! Xxxx
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. They're there regularly though and there are plenty of wealthy folk around here so I guess they must be doing OK. Someone else sells unusual jams and chutneys, including chilli jam... yummy!
