How much perishable inventory should I bring?

[Former_Member]

Hi there! I am new to craft fairs and just registered for my first one this fall. I make decorated sugar cookies. Does anyone here have experience selling like items? If so, how many do you bring for a show? The one I will be in is 1 day only and has about 50,000-60,000 visitors with 350 vendors. As I read through the threads, I see a lot of you suggest to bring all you can, but my fear is that once the show is over I will have wayyyy too many cookies left over to eat! Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Also any thoughts on what type of cookies you feel would sell best in your experience (i.e. Lots of mini bite sized packs vs larger single packaged items). Thank you!!

[JustMeToo]

I have friends who sell cookies at large shows. They make sure to have as many as possible, because food always sells well at good shows. The ones they make freeze well, so there's no problem if they happen to have any left. They sell them in singles, or if you buy six, you pay for five. I think it makes sense to make a cookie that freezes well, and can be sold at subsequent shows, and still be top quality. All the best of luck!

[Former_Member]

Thank you very much for your advice Carol! I am new to this so I really don't know!

[ALittleUnwound]

No such thing as too many cookies to eat.

[AllisonGlickCeramics]

I'm not sure, but I would guess you'd have to spend less on packaging if you sold larger single serving cookies. Many people will buy them to eat as snacks while shopping and simple bakery paper and a napkin will do.

Of course you'll want boxes on hand for people who want to take them home. As Carol suggested, offering a savings for multiples will encourage customers to buy more. Depending on the variety of cookies you plan to bring, you could box up 6 packs (or 4 if they're very big) ahead of time.

[Former_Member]

Thank you Allison and Sheryl!! And Desirea I agree haha I'm just more worried about having hundreds left over!

[JustMeToo]

If they are good cookies, and well presented, you won't have hundreds left over! I've been to huge shows, where the only crowded booths were the food booths!!
Just remember the standard stuff, like your tablecloths TO THE FLOOR, keep your money on you (no cashbox) and smile, smile, smile. There are great threads on here with everything else you need to know!

[Former_Member]

Thank you for the table cloth and money tips Carol! I can use all I can get. And thank you all for being so helpful and kind!!

[LuluDeuxMillinery]

How many other food vendors are there and what are they selling? If you are one of the few snack vendors, I'd imagine you would get way more business than if there were a whole bunch of food trucks nearby or something.

[ImLaughingMyGlassOff]

If it's looking like you will have left overs send a team out with samples. I know I have fallen victim to that marketing strategy.

[ALittleUnwound]

You can send me any left over cookies. I'll give you an honest opinion on why they did sell...

But I am pretty sure they will sell. Just wrap them up pretty and smile until it hurts.

And Suzy has an amazing strategy....

[WovenByKim]

I agree that food always sells! I have a friend who does cookie(6) kinds, sweet breads(3) kinds and whoopies. The whoopies are individually wrapped and sold. The cookies are by the dozen and the breads are in the mini loaves as well as full size. She always sells out and she has a panel van that is packed to the hilt.

Like the others said packaging is important, they need to be able to see the product they are buying. And she packs the van with those single layer bread trays so nothing gets squished.

Good Luck have fun and smile!

[Former_Member]

Thank you so much everyone! Your ideas are all so helpful!!! Now I feel like I have a good start!

[WhimsyBits]

I don't know how many but at my large show there is a sugar cookie vendor around the corner from me and they always bring a TON and sell out hours before the show is done.

They have their cookies in trays covered with plastic and then customers can choose whatever ones they want and they place them in boxes for the customer to take home.

[Former_Member]

Thank you Dawn!