Selling Super-hots at Farmer's Markets

PepperDaddy · Aug 29, 2014

I am curious as to how those selling super-hots at farmer’s markets are handling the potential liability. I sold a few reapers, scorpions and bhuts last week and the only interest was from high school boys and I believe most could have been middle school. They wanted to eat it right then and there but I talked them out of it. I certainly don’t want to be associated w/ the aftermath. So I started thinking, what would happen if some kid bought one and pranked his little brother or rubbed his eyes or barfed all over his parents. Bad for me and the market. Maybe warning signage is sufficient? Maybe I don’t sell to anyone that can’t at least show me a driver’s license? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Ken

tctenten · Aug 29, 2014

My only experiences with a farmers market is as a consumer. I would think a verbal warning or warning signage would suffice for adults. I might be a little hesitant selling to people that are not mature enough to heed those warnings. I am sure you will get some better answers from some of the vendors here.

Phil · Aug 29, 2014

If it were me, I wouldn't sell them at market at all if there wasn't really a market for them, for the same reason you're concerned about. Kids will buy them to try to put a hurtin' on their friends. I'd limit it to pepper products (sauces/salsas, etc.).... again, unless there was a real demand in the market for fresh supers.

hogleg · Aug 29, 2014

My guess, 18 and over, sign a waiver. I'm pretty sure a waiver is no good if signed by a minor. hence the 18+

Lucky Dog Hot Sauce · Aug 29, 2014

I'm having déjà vu - I think there's a topic about this. Disclaimers, signage, and insurance. It's the only way I'd do it.

PepperDaddy · Sep 1, 2014

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I have decided to not sell the superhots at the market. However, I did call the local global foods store that is also carrying my sauce and asked if they were interested in any superhots. I quoted a wholesale price of $15/pound for reapers and the produce manager was very interested. I am growing a few peppers he has not heard of and will be dropping some off this week for him to sample. So what is a good wholesale prices for the following peppers? My best guestimate is listed.

reaper - $15/pound
peach bhut- $15/pound
trinidad moruga scorpion- $15/pound
7 pot- $10/pound
fatalii- $10/pound
lemon drop- $10/pound
red savina - $5/pound
chocolate hab- $5/pound

Thanks.

Ken

SmokenFire · Sep 11, 2014

Ken,

Good call on the farmer's market. Your price/lb looks fair as most of those peppers aren't available. Bring a quantity of each of the peppers (like a pound or more) so he can see what a lot of them look like - he might just buy some then and there. Maybe give him a deal on several pounds - produce guys love that stuff. Really interested to see if they actually sell - is the market very big/busy? Population density?

PepperDaddy · Sep 11, 2014

Dru,

Last week I sold everything I could pick to two different stores. I used those rates and they didn't blink. I pulled in $95. I don't know if they sold but I was told by the produce managers that they would probably be gone by the end of the weekend. One of the produce mangers was very excited as his whole family, including his small child, loved superhots and he had never tried several of them. Hopefully I'll have another load to sell in a week or two. I only have one plant of each. Too much rain here now to properly fertilize - I'm afraid to water :cry: