Cupcakes: Approved!
Had a visit from an officer from the New York State Dept. of Agriculture (Food Markets division) today, and am happy to say I have been approved to sell baked goods at the local farmers' market! Bungalow Baking will be selling cookies, cupcakes and brownies every Tuesday at the Delaware Avenue Farmers' Market this year!
I am gonna try this out and see if it turns out to be a worthwhile financial endeavor. Selling cupcakes at the cafe was fun, but I didn't make much money. But this time, I will be able to sell for retail and not wholesale pricing, so the profit margin should be slightly higher! I want to do it as a way to get involved in the community, too. The folks at the market seem really nice (well, except the woman who just kind of gives me a blank look and snottily says "no" when I ask if any of her stand's vegetables are organically grown) and the manager was really excited when I asked about selling baked goods, because the only baker they had (an Amish family) came all the way from Columbia County and had decided not to make the trip to our neighborhood market any longer. So as far as I know I'll be the only one.
NYS law says only certain baked goods can be sold at markets. Nothing with cream or cheese in it. No pumpkin allowed--I guess my Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes won't be making an appearance! And quickbreads are problematic, too, apparently, as are single crust fruit pies. I am going to offer an unfrosted carrot cake, since cream cheese frosting is a no-no. But mainly, cookies, cupcakes and brownies. I have to be careful about allergens, so I want to find a source of chocolate chips not made in facilities processing peanuts or tree nuts--anyone know of any?
Beware: unsold baked goodies will be frozen and may find their way to Brushwood this summer! ;)
I am gonna try this out and see if it turns out to be a worthwhile financial endeavor. Selling cupcakes at the cafe was fun, but I didn't make much money. But this time, I will be able to sell for retail and not wholesale pricing, so the profit margin should be slightly higher! I want to do it as a way to get involved in the community, too. The folks at the market seem really nice (well, except the woman who just kind of gives me a blank look and snottily says "no" when I ask if any of her stand's vegetables are organically grown) and the manager was really excited when I asked about selling baked goods, because the only baker they had (an Amish family) came all the way from Columbia County and had decided not to make the trip to our neighborhood market any longer. So as far as I know I'll be the only one.
NYS law says only certain baked goods can be sold at markets. Nothing with cream or cheese in it. No pumpkin allowed--I guess my Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes won't be making an appearance! And quickbreads are problematic, too, apparently, as are single crust fruit pies. I am going to offer an unfrosted carrot cake, since cream cheese frosting is a no-no. But mainly, cookies, cupcakes and brownies. I have to be careful about allergens, so I want to find a source of chocolate chips not made in facilities processing peanuts or tree nuts--anyone know of any?
Beware: unsold baked goodies will be frozen and may find their way to Brushwood this summer! ;)