Vendor-101 Online Course
Become a rockstar farmers market vendor!
What do you need to turn your idea into a successful business at local farmers markets?
This online course will help you get started as a small farmer, food maker, or craft vendor in farmers markets in your area. Learn from experienced market managers and Farmers Market Pros founders Catt Fields White and Brijet Myers.
Passion meet Profit.
In Vendor-101 you’ll learn how to take your crop, product, or idea and become a farmers market success story. Get immediate answers to your questions about business formation, required permits, business insurance, the farmers market application process, commercial kitchen space, equipment, packaging, labeling, marketing, and more!
Create your account today to purchase and gain access to the self-paced online course materials!
What’s Included in Vendor-101:
Clear overview of how farmers markets are organized and regulated
You’ll learn a little bit about us and the learning opportunities available at Farmers Market Pros, and get an overview of how farmers markets work.
Guidance on developing your product line and finding your niche
We’ll help you choose and define your product line, make sure it’s got the potential to be profitable, and see if it’s a good fit for farmers’ markets
How to choose your business structure and finance your start-up
You’ll learn how to pick your business name and create your brand, structure your business, and raise the money you need to get started.
Branding, packaging, labeling and all you’ll need to stand out at the market
We’ll dive deep into packaging and labeling your product effectively and legally: that may be more complicated and also more important than you think!
How to submit a winning application and what to do once you’re accepted
We’ll explain what makes a stand-out vendor application, help you assemble the equipment to create your booth, and go over how to operate effectively at markets.
Specifics about permits, fees and the process in your location
Whether you’re launching your business in San Diego, Saginaw or Schenectady you’ll be able to tell us where you are and what you’ll sell to get a module specific to your products and your area of the world.
Live Q&A Session with Farmers Market Pro Catt Fields White
After you’ve completed all the lessons, meet us live online for a Question and Answer session, where we’ll answer specific questions about your business.
What Vendor-101 Grads Are Saying
“In November 2019 I took Vendor-101 thinking I would just learn how to get into a farmers market. As it turned out I learned the entire outline of how to create my business! I used the information I learned that day for the next five months and literally referred to my notes and their worksheets daily. I used all of their checklists, especially for all the complicated parts of food permits and creating a new business in the state of California, how and when to create logos and way more. Without this course I don’t think I would’ve been able to get through my process food registration application so quickly. I was also able to talk to the San Diego Markets staff whenever I had questions and they always had advice or were able to point me in the right direction. They also helped with valuable networking connections which was how I found the amazing vegan kitchen that I work in now. I was able to start my online store during COVID and by starting with some delivery I was able to perfect my packaging as I worked on flavors. I was accepted into the farmers market as COVID restrictions were lifted and I have seen my business expand! I have been able to really talk to and collaborate with my customers to find out what I need to be the best vegan ice cream company in San Diego! I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without the Vendor-101 program.”
— Libby Lefanowicz, Owner and Chief Ice Cream Maker for Kula Desserts
“Before I found this course, I was floundering and unable to get my business off the ground. I had so many questions about permits, FDA regulations, packaging, and marketing. After taking Vendor-101, I had the clarity I needed to successfully launch my business, and have seen steady growth and established a customer base that keeps me pushing full steam ahead.”
— Maya Madsen, Founder of Maya’s Cookies
"The Vendor-101 Course was key to starting our business. You can google all day, but there aren't any checklists for ‘what do I need to do to open a food business in a farmers' market’ and no one who can answer your specific questions. There are bits and pieces of information but there's nowhere to get it all, except Vendor-101. We went to the Health Department asking questions and they couldn't tell us everything we needed. We thought, 'Is there anywhere we can go for everything?' We were so grateful when we finally found Vendor-101 and rely on the knowledge we gained in the course. It set us up for success!"
— Eric Dobbs, Owner of Seven Seas Coffee Roasting Company
