Selling Honey at Farmers' Markets and Other Outdoors Events

In America the roadside stand selling lemonade or surplus garden produce is a common site and can help farmers and smallholders make cash from their surplus vegetables, flowers, also honey and other natural produce. The practice is less common in other countries and represents a useful way to make money for anyone interested in keeping bees and starting their own beekeeping business.

You need permission from your local authority to sell produce this way, so make a visit to your local town hall your first priority. Also look at selling your honey at farmers' markets, county fairs, and other outdoor events.

You need permission from your local authority to sell produce this way, so make a visit to your local town hall your first priority. Also look at selling your honey at farmers' markets, county fairs, and other outdoor events.

You can sell honey and other produce from the boot of your car, or from a small table set up by the roadside. You'll need a sign indicating what you are selling and how much you are asking for it, and that sign must be big enough to attract the attention of drivers passing by. But you must not place your stall or car close to bends in the road or other locations where drivers' attention might be distracted and an accident ensues. You may be allowed to sell from a layby or at the t-junction where a side road meets a main highway. But ask permission first from local transport officials or you risk being fined for obstructing the highway or selling food without a licence.

Your sign should comprise large letters in clearly formed text created with ink or paint that contrasts with the background of the sign. Everyday cardboard will usually do, with a felt tip pen for your message. However, if the weather is bad or you intend selling honey from the roadside on a regular basis, it's a better idea to have a proper sign created from waterproof materials on a non-rusting metal background.

You message should be short, not long, because drivers and their passengers have a very short window of opportunity to read your message before passing it by. Something like 'HOME HARVESTED HONEY FOR SALE' should be adequate with the price in large text immediately below. Dark brown text on a bright yellow background - resembling the appearance of bees - would look just right for attracting attention of drivers and their passengers.

Your honey should be properly cleaned and strained, and free from debris and dirt. Use glass jars to contain your honey and metal or fancy paper caps to prevent dirt and grime entering the honey.

Above all be friendly and courteous to your customers and you'll find many becoming regular customers.