Would you buy dessert sauces at a farmers market?

Question

Say you could get a container of really delicious dark chocolate caramel sauce or white chocolate vanilla bean creme anglaise (for example) that you could take home and dip berries into, or pour on ice cream or Belgian waffles. Does that appeal to you, and does it seem like a good fit for a farmers market? 

I'm a chocolatier, trying to think of something I can sell at summer markets that isn't as temperature sensitive as my truffles and bars. (Do not even think of suggesting paraffin, candy melts, or other crap, that is not how I roll.) 

Thanks!
B

Answer

Absolutely . The sky's the limit . Great idea .

Answer

Sounds brilliant! 
Do some serious market research about your sizes and pricing first so your product matches the similar vendors at the market (i.e. Jam lady vendor has 12oz for $8 and you do 10oz for $18 consider smaller size option to be in similar price range) 

Definitely highlight multiple uses, some shoppers have astonishingly limited imaginations.

Answer

No, not appealing. I think of fresh berries either plain or with cream, whipped cream, light biscuit, light sponge cake, smoothies, granita, ice cream, etc.... your ideas are too heavy.

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I've seen them for sale in markets in the UK, along with the jams and relishes. 

Good quality chocolate sauce to heat up and pour over vanilla ice cream would probably be a nice hit. I'd buy it.

Answer

I've seen dessert sauces sold at different farmers' markets in widely scattered parts of the US, including the one nearest me. I'm not much of a sweets person, so I rarely buy them, but there does seem to be a market.

Answer

Don't limit yourself to farmers' markets. There are lots of local festivals primarily featuring arts/crafts/fine arts but also include vendors specialty food items or soaps and lotions. For example, in Rochester, New York, the Park Avenue Festival -- with not a farmer in sight -- has booths selling Onion Creek Farms' outstanding sauces, salsa, mustards, jam etc. And at that same festival, there's a booth selling only jarred chocolate sauces in every flavor imaginable. Very high end. Outstanding quality. And very good sellers considering the crowds at the booth. 

On a side note, at a farmer's market you don't have to worry about little cartons for purchasers of multiple jars of your sauce. After all, most of us show up at a farmers' market with totes and rolling carts. Not so much visiting craft fairs. At a craft fair, if you can offer a carton to hold multiple jars with a built-in handle, you might just encourage more sales.

Answer

Yes - it's great and I believe some farmers markets I've been to have had such items.

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I really only buy produce at farmers markets so, no.

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I (oh good lord - I came back and edited and my phone ate my reply anyway)

I not only *would* buy sauces, but I do. 

Samples are usually done with pretzel sticks or cookie sticks (shortbread or something equally neutral-ish) -- but I like to keep them in the pantry for short-notice guests, or for a fancy dessert just because (thinking of the goats-milk dulce de leche in my pantry...)

Answer

More and more, farmers markets are featuring home made and limited production food items. At my local farmers market yesterday there were vendors selling hot sauce and relishes, breads, guacamole, pickled veggies, cookies and macarons and popcorn in several varieties. If your farmers markets feature similar items, I think your dessert sauces would be a wonderful addition.

Answer

Thanks, all! I'm at two outdoor markets this summer, both with a lot of prepared food, so I think I'll talk to my local health department and give it a shot if they approve - I emailed one of the market managers and she loved the idea. I already have a whole line of confections, but most of them melt in the heat and it's looking like a hot summer already - I was hoping for a crappy cold Seattle summer where we don't see the sun until mid July :)

I rarely buy dessert items because I make my own, so it's good to hear there is a market.

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I would! Especially if tasting a spoonful made me immediately think of ideas of how to use it.

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The last product I bought in a market was a special mustard. My only complaint was the jar choice. The neck was too small especially mid jar. So, here's an early request that the container be good to the last drop!

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For me personally not a lot of appeal as I don't care for sweet breakfasts nor heavy desserts (except rarely when dining out). If they were shelf stable I might consider buying them for other people, though, whose tastes are more along those lines.

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i'd definitely be tempted!

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I'd suggest checking out commercial liability insurance before selling anything to the public.

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I don't have a sweet tooth and dislike chocolate so I wouldn't buy for myself but I do love to support independent/small business people (since I am one myself,) so I might buy to keep it around as a gift just to show support. It would really have to be shelf stable, though.

Answer

If I didn't already make a great hot fudge sauce myself, I might buy it. It would have to be of sufficient quality, however. I would read the ingredients and (probably harshly) judge the degree of silly "flavored up"-ness involved. I think a glass jar would be an advantage - we don't generally eat out of plastic. I wonder if samples could be served out of tiny disposable spoons rather than on cookies or pretzels.

Answer

I have, and will continue to purchase an amazing caramel sauce in our local farmers' market. The product is shelf-stable until opened, after which refrigeration is recommended.

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Would you buy dessert sauces at a farmers market?

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