Farmers Markets
Farmers Market Musings: Coffee, Community, and a Few Helpful Tips
Setting up for a farmers market on your own can feel intimidating — especially the first time. But after a few tries, you realize it’s not as scary as it seems. All you really need is a sturdy canopy, some weights, tables, tablecloths, a few office supplies, cleaning spray, maybe a hand vacuum if you’re feeling fancy, and of course, plenty of your offerings.
Over the past few months, I’ve enjoyed seeing all the creative ways other vendors set up their booths. Most go for the classic layout: a single table out front with a workstation behind. Others — myself included — like to make more of a “storefront” feel. My setup? Two tables on either side of my canopy, with me in the center at the back. Technically, that’s my “checkout counter,” though it hardly gets used.
Some vendors really go all out. At Garden Ridge Market Days, I met a guy who built an entire tea booth — custom mugs, cheap refills, the works. I loved it. It’s a bigger investment, especially for something like coffee, but who knows? Maybe one day.
For those new here — hi, I’m Kelby Peyton, proud owner of YellowBand Coffee Roasters. We roast specialty coffee sourced only from bee-friendly farms. That means the farms we buy from have healthy pollinator activity and pay their workers fair, living wages.
I’ve been selling at farmers markets for about four months now — only six markets so far — so I’m no expert. But I have picked up a few tricks that help me set up faster, connect with more people, and sell more coffee.
Tip #1: Make the Person in Front of You the Most Important Person in the Market
Farmers markets are all about in-person connections. You can’t sell to a crowd the way you can online — you’re usually talking to one person at a time. That means making that person feel seen and valued is key.
Start simple: ask about their day, how the market’s been for them, or something light to break the ice. Then lead into your product naturally. For me, I’ll ask, “What kind of coffee do you usually drink?” From there, I might follow up with, “Do you take it with cream and sugar or black?” or “How do you brew your coffee at home?” Those answers open the door for me to recommend a roast that matches their preferences.
I like to wrap up by sharing our mission: bee-friendly sourcing, environmentally responsible practices, living wages for farmers, and our roast-to-order model — meaning they get the freshest coffee possible, from a local roaster.
Tip #2: Don’t Be Afraid to Say Hello — A Lot
One of the biggest hurdles for new vendors is feeling like you’re pestering people. And truthfully? You might be. But that’s okay. If I greet 100 people, that’s 100 chances at a sale. If I let them all walk by, that’s 100 guaranteed no’s.
Even if someone doesn’t stop, a friendly “good morning” acknowledges their presence. Sometimes that’s all it takes for them to circle back later.
Tip #3: Offer Something Unique
At YellowBand, we offer grind-on-demand. I bring an industrial coffee grinder so customers who prefer pre-ground coffee still get the benefit of fresh roasting, but in the exact grind size they want. The smell of freshly ground beans drifts through the market, and more than once I’ve had people follow their noses straight to my booth.
Tip #4: Have Variety
Not everyone drinks coffee, so I offer other items too — like exfoliant scrubs made from recycled coffee grounds, plus stickers, t-shirts, and mugs. These help fill the table and give non-coffee drinkers a reason to stop by.
The coffee scrubs are especially fun. You can make them at home: just dry your used grounds, mix in a few simple, natural ingredients, and you have an all-natural skincare product. It’s a great way to get twice the value from your coffee and reduce waste.
My Takeaway
Farmers markets are about more than just selling — they’re about connecting with your community, sharing your passion, and maybe brightening someone’s day. I’m still learning, but I’ve found that a little friendliness, a dash of creativity, and a commitment to quality go a long way.
Thanks for spending a few minutes inside my head today. If you’d like to support our mission, check out our [Amazon affiliate page] for some of the coffee tools I use (and a few I dream about owning). Every purchase helps us keep roasting coffee with a purpose.
Until next time, God bless.
Kelby Peyton
YellowBand Coffee Roasters
Bee-friendly coffee. Freshly roasted. Locally loved.