Selling Foods Made in Your Farm Kitchen Many farmstand operators, orchard owners and fruit and vegetable growers are adding value to their products by selling foods made in their farm kitchen. And it can be profitable to bake process certain types of products to sell at a farmstand, orchard, or to another grower or restaurant. Every year a higher percentage of women are working, offering less time to prepare items for their families. Convenience is important, as evidenced by the popularity of the microwave oven that is in most homes. Serving a home-made item is almost a luxury, considering the time constraints that most homemakers face.
Shoppers appreciate the chance to buy homemade items to serve at their meals.
Farmstand operators have commented that they have many elderly customers during the daytime and business hours, and working couples in the evening and on weekends. Some orchard operators decided to take over the baking themselves, since the customer response was so positive. Most types of baked goods including breads, fruit pies, cakes, cookies, candies, and other foods with a high sugar content can be prepared in an inspected farm kitchen. Other foods that can be safely prepared in your farm kitchen include processed high acid foods such as salsa, pickles, and other tomato based products. If the product requires and is sold refrigerated, it requires less processing and is potentially less hazardous compared to canned foods.