Selling Extra Garden Vegetables at a Farmers Market

If your garden gives you more tomatoes, squash or green beans than you can eat, those extras could become a small side income. Selling at a farmers market is one of the oldest ways to do it. For many home gardeners it is more of a summer and fall bonus than a steady paycheck, but in a good season it might help toward a smaller bill, such as a phone or streaming plan. That is a hope, not a promise.

Find a market that welcomes small growers

The US Department of Agriculture keeps a National Farmers Market Directory. Each listing shows the location, days and times, and what is sold. Start there, then call or email the market manager.

Some markets set aside space for backyard growers. For example, one Missouri market ran a backyard gardeners’ program with a one-time $25 application fee and a visit to each garden to check that sellers grow what they sell.

Questions to ask the market manager

• Do you allow home gardeners, or only farms?
• What does a space cost? One Alabama city market charges $100 for its summer season.
• Do I need a growers’ permit? In that same market, a free permit from the county Extension office is required.
• Do I need my own tent, tables and insurance? Many markets say yes.
• Can I sell jams or baked goods too? Those usually fall under separate cottage food or health rules.

Food safety rules, in plain words

Whole, fresh produce you grow yourself is generally lightly regulated. The federal Produce Safety Rule doesn’t cover farms with average annual produce sales of $25,000 or less (adjusted for inflation), which includes most home gardeners. State and local rules still apply, so check with your market and your county Extension office. Wash your hands, keep produce off the ground and use clean containers.

Pricing and setting up your table

• Walk the market before you sell and note what others charge.
• Price by the bunch, basket or each. It is simpler than weighing.
• Keep a cash box with small bills, and decide if you’ll take a payment app.
• Bring a hand-lettered sign with prices that are easy to read.
• Write down what you spent on seeds, fees and supplies so you know your real profit.

A safety note

Market days mean early mornings, lifting crates and standing for hours. Use a small cart or wagon, lift with your legs, bring water and a chair, and ask for help with the tent.

Taxes and benefits

Money from selling produce is income. Keep simple records and see the IRS Self-Employed Individuals Tax Center. If you get Social Security before full retirement age, or benefits such as SSI, Medicaid or housing help, extra income may matter. See the Social Security Administration and check your own situation.

More on Replace a Bill

• Selling Houseplant Babies: A Small Income From Cuttings and Offsets
• Selling Home-Baked Goods: What to Know About Cottage Food Laws
• Pricing Your Handmade Crafts So Your Time and Materials Are Covered

Sources

• USDA Agricultural Marketing Service: National Farmers Market Directory
• Webb City Farmers Market: Backyard Gardeners Market sign-up
• City of Prattville, AL: Farmers Market Rules and Guidelines (2026)
• FDA: Exemptions Relevant to Produce Farms Under the Produce Safety Rule
• SSA: Receiving Benefits While Working
• IRS: Self-Employed Individuals Tax Center