Diving into the world of selling baked goods at craft fairs can be both exciting and rewarding. Whether you’re an experienced home baker or just starting out, setting up a booth at a craft fair is a fantastic way to share your delicious creations with a wider audience. However, success at these events requires more than just mouth-watering treats. From ensuring food safety to creating an inviting booth, there are several key elements to consider. This guide will walk you through the essentials, including obtaining your Food Safe Certification, gathering the necessary baking and table supplies, setting up a Square Reader for seamless credit and debit card payments, and finding the perfect craft fairs to showcase your baked goods. Let’s get started on turning your passion for baking into a thriving craft fair venture!

Food Safe Certification

While planning out what Craft Fairs and Markets to attend I implore you to obtain your food-safe certification in your home Province. Better to be safe than sorry when it comes to selling any food.

You can learn more about what food certification is required by clicking on your province from the list below:

• British Columbia
• Alberta
• Saskatchewan
• Manitoba
• Ontario
• Quebec
• New Brunswick
• Nova Scotia
• Prince Edward Island
• Newfoundland and Labrador

Table Decoration

Nice table decorations at a holiday craft fair or market are crucial as they attract visitors and create a festive and inviting atmosphere. They’ll help you showcase your crafts more effectively, enhancing the overall presentation and appeal of the products. Moreover, well-decorated tables can boost sales by making the shopping experience more enjoyable and memorable for customers.

The decorations that I felt provided me the:

• Spandex Table Cloth – This simple spandex table cloth from Amazon was perfect for the Costco table I already had. It immediately made my table look professional.
• Signage from Staples – I ordered a poster from Staples and then put it in a simple frame. I then propped it up on my table for immediate visibility.
• Plates and tiers – I’d recommend Ikea for finding plates and tiers that will allow you to showcase your goods.

Square Reader for Credit Card and Debit Payments

The square reader allowed me to easily accept credit card and Interac payments at all of the craft fairs and markets I attended. All you need is your phone with an internet connect.

Finding Craft Fairs

When you’re first getting started, schools and community centers are excellent venues to dip your toes into the world of selling baked goods. These local institutions often host events, such as school fairs, community gatherings, and holiday bazaars, that provide a welcoming environment for new vendors. These venues are often more affordable and less competitive than larger craft fairs, making them ideal for honing your selling skills and perfecting your booth setup.

• Schools – I recommend scouring Facebook for craft fair groups that will advertise upcoming school craft fairs, markets and carnivals. With schools you could find Back to School, Holiday and End of School craft fairs.
• Community Centrers – Your local community center is a great resource for craft fairs and markets. Follow their social feeds and sign up to their newsletters to be notified of any upcoming events.