We have been giving a great deal of thought to what things we can sell from our farm gate lately, the hardest thing seems to be pricing. In the near future we hope to be selling firewood, kindling sticks, eggs, flowers, preserves as well as fruit and veg. We have also been thinking how to sell, seems simple enough doesn't it but we can't decide on a stall at the entrance to the farm, a stall at the entrance to the house or a sign encouraging people to knock at the door. The gate option raises issues of security, stock and the honesty box could be stolen as the gate is out of view of the house and about 200 yards away from our front door. We had considered a sign outlining goods for sale at the gate which encouraged people to knock at the house, however this requires us to be available all the time. We have I think decided on a small stand nearer the house but with an honesty box. This will hopefully discourage any pilfering but will leave us free to go about our daily chores although we will be happy to stop and chat if we are about.
Pricing on the other hand is not so easy, how much do you charge/pay for 6 eggs? and how much is a paper feed sack of cut seasoned logs worth? also a similar size bag of kindling sticks ? I was thinking that £1.20 for 6 eggs was about right, and £3.95 for the the logs and £2.95 for kindling. All the other things are easy enough as we sell them already at the farmers market. What do you think?
Can't help with the wood but when I last had eggs for sale I was selling them for £1.20 for six.
ReplyDeleteSeems about what people are selling all those things for in Norfolk.
ReplyDeleteYou need to do some market research. If you can sell for the same as those round and about and undercut the supermarkets, should do fine.
ReplyDeleteI did a bit of scouting around locally to check prices for our honesty box and I agree £1.20 sounds about right for six eggs. I hope all goes well with your honesty box; I've found it's certainly worth doing. The feedback from our neighbours has been great.
ReplyDeleteHi, I've just found your Blog through Rusty Duck, we're about to buy a smallholding in Lincolnshire so these questions will be very relevant to us too.
ReplyDeleteAt the moment we sell our eggs at £1.30 per box of six (mixed sizes). I have no idea about the price of logs and kindling but I guess as long as you undercut the garage forecourts (and this should be a doddle) you should do well!
Sue xx
Hi sue welcome
ReplyDeleteI already follow your blog so nice to see you here
Have seen logs at £4.95 in the next but not sure how big their sacks are so i think we will put a sign out and see what happens
We get a load of fisherman from the towns passing so hoping to do well from then as locals are a little thin on the ground in our little hamlet
1.20 for 6 eggs here too - but check what others are selling for in your area - someone in the same street as me started selling eggs for less... which I was not that happy about!
ReplyDeletewe have a 'knock on the door' system - and yes we are out a lot and people moan about it! - but after a while I developed enough regulars that knew when to call or i could take the eggs to them etc