Starting or growing a baking business at the farmers market is exciting — but being prepared makes all the difference. After selling baked goods in real market conditions, these are the must-have items that make setup smoother, attract customers, and help you sell more.
Below is a complete list of the best supplies every baking vendor should have at the farmers market.
1. A Sturdy Pop-Up Tent (10×10)
A sturdy, reliable tent is essential for protecting your baked goods from sun, wind, and unpredictable weather—while also keeping your booth looking clean and professional. Most farmers markets require vendors to fit within a 10×10 space, and this tent fits perfectly. It’s easy to set up with just one person and even includes wheels, making it simple to transport from your vehicle to your booth.
Why it matters:
Many farmers markets require white tents, and lower-quality options often don’t hold up over time. This tent comes from a reputable brand and is absolutely worth the investment for long-term use and peace of mind.
One thing to note:
This tent includes one side wall, which works great for summer and early fall markets. However, I live in a colder climate, and once October hits, the extra side walls make a huge difference in warmth and wind protection. If your market season ends earlier or you live in a warmer area, you can skip the additional three side walls and save some money. Otherwise, I highly recommend opting for the version with all four side walls for maximum comfort and coverage.
👉 Best 10×10 Pop-Up Tent for Farmers Markets
👉 10×10 Pop-Up Tent with 4 Side Walls
2. Tables & Fitted Table Covers
Folding tables provide essential space to display your baked goods, while fitted tablecloths instantly elevate the overall look of your booth.
Pro tip: neutral or brand-colored table covers photograph beautifully and help create a cohesive, professional setup. I chose pink tablecloths to match my banner and logo, and they’ve been a great investment—they offer a wide range of color options and hold up extremely well, even after repeated washes.
👉 Shop Folding Tables on Amazon
👉 Shop Fitted Table Covers on Amazon
I’m not affiliated with this shop, but this is the Etsy shop I purchased my banner/tablecloth that I personally use and love.
3. Chafing Dishes
Customers truly buy with their eyes—and their nose. These chafing dishes don’t just keep my cinnamon rolls warm; they help carry that irresistible cinnamon smell through the market. I constantly hear customers say they could smell my rolls from a block away, and honestly, I love hearing that.
“Customers truly buy with their eyes— and their nose.”
I’ve also linked my favorite chafing dish fuel can burners, which have been a game changer. They burn for up to 6 hours, so there’s no need to replace them in the middle of a busy market. I’ve tried the two-hour fuel cans, and when you’re slammed with customers, the last thing you want to do is stop, open a new fuel can, wash your hands, and reset everything. Saving that time and energy makes a huge difference.
There are other fuel options on the market, including gel-based cans, but I personally don’t like the way they smell—it clashes with the cinnamon aroma I want filling the air. The ones I’ve linked are nearly odorless, which keeps the focus right where it should be: on the cinnamon rolls.
Pro tip: use a torch lighter to light these fuel cans. On windy days, I’ve spent 20+ minutes trying to light multiple burners with a standard lighter. A torch saves time—and that time is better spent setting up your banner, arranging your display, or even starting sales early.
👉 6 Hour Fuel Can Burners on Amazon
4. Labels & Packaging Supplies
Professional labels build trust and make your products gift-ready. I personally like to design my own labels and make them as creative as I can, changing up the theme depending on the Holiday. With this thermal printer, I have the freedom to do so. I also have a variety of label sizes- I like using the 4×3 for my cinnamon roll packaging and the round 2×2 for items like brownies, cookies, muffins, etc.
Because my thermal printer doesn’t print in color, I use my home printer whenever I want to create beautiful, custom holiday designs—like the Valentine’s Day labels shown below. These labels are fully editable and available in my Etsy shop for anyone who wants to make them their own.
Must-haves:
- Ingredient labels
- Cottage food labels
- Price stickers
- Bakery boxes & bags
- Thermal Printer
👉 You can find my editable Valentine’s baking labels here.
👉 Shop Thermal Printer on Amazon
👉 Shop Thermal Printer Labels Holder on Amazon
👉 Shop 4×3 Thermal Printer Labels on Amazon
👉 Shop 2×2 Thermal Printer Labels on Amazon
5. A Cash Box & Mobile Payment System
Most customers pay digitally now, so I made sure I was ready. I use Square on my phone and it’s been so easy to use. I’ll upgrade my setup later, but for now it’s perfect—and I’m obsessed with my little pink cash box. It gets compliments everywhere and makes me feel like a kid playing pretend 💗
Business cards are also a must-have, especially when your product is only available once a week or seasonally. Even when cinnamon rolls aren’t available, customers often reach out during the holidays—like Christmas—looking for those same delicious rolls. The older generation still loves having a physical business card, while the DOT card is amazing because with a single tap to a customer’s smartphone, they instantly have all of your business information. I keep both on hand so I’m ready for everyone.
Recommended setup:
- Cash box with small bills and change
- Square or similar card reader
👉 Shop DOT Business Card on Amazon
6. Signage & Price Displays
Clear, visible pricing helps customers make decisions faster and cuts down on questions during busy rushes. I love using a menu board and created mine with my Cricut by cutting my logo in vinyl. This setup lets me keep my branding consistent—my logo stays pink and crisp every time—while I simply update the cinnamon roll flavors as they change.
That said, most of the time customers are so excited about the cinnamon rolls that they barely glance at the prices at all. They’re focused on the flavors, and honestly, I can’t blame them.
Another busy day at the market!
Ideas:
- Branding sign with business name
👉 Shop Cricut machine on Amazon
👉 Shop Cricut Permanent Vinyl on Amazon
7. Weights, Clips & Backup Supplies
Farmers markets can get windy—especially here in the Pacific Northwest, where the weather can turn cold and gusty in the blink of an eye. If you’re not prepared, your tent can easily shift or even take off. These tent weights fit perfectly around each leg and don’t move at all, giving me peace of mind no matter how quickly the weather changes.
Always bring:
- Tent weights
- Clips or clamps
- Extra tape, pens, scissors
8. Other Essentials
Our farmers market season ran into late November, and morning setup often meant freezing temperatures. Having a portable heater during the final two months of the market was an absolute lifesaver. If it fits within your budget, I highly recommend not skipping this item—it makes a huge difference in comfort and endurance.
Every kitchen needs a cordless mixer—they’re a total game-changer! I use mine for everything from small batches of icing and pancakes to brownies and whipped cream. The battery lasts forever—I went nearly two months without charging mine, and it still had plenty of power.
👉 Shop Portable Heater on Amazon
👉 Shop Cordless Hand Mixer on Amazon
Final Thoughts
Having the right supplies makes your farmers market experience smoother, more professional, and more profitable. These tools help you focus on what matters most — selling your baked goods and connecting with customers.
Disclosure
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Where Crumbs Bloom 