Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Question for those of you who sell at farmers markets (or farm stands too). When you sell lettuces and herbs, do you package it in bags or clamshells, or leave it "naked".
I'm leaning towards selling the herbs in bunches, but not sure what to do about the lettuce heads.

Packaging requirements can and do vary from country to country, state to state and even town to town. Also, the farmers market (assuming it's operated by an entity of some sort) itself may have their own related policies. With that said, most vendors in my area sell bunched and unpackaged, but provide bags for the customer to package themselves... like most US supermarkets do.

No idea what the legal requirements for packaging are in your area. That said, ask your customers what they want. One of my businesses is chasing biodegradable vacuum packaging that can be frozen (and not fail) because that is what our customers want - and they pay the bills.

So depends on your target demographics, the image you are trying to portray, and sometimes the market organisers themselves. At one of the farmers markets I go to, the market organisers demand compostable packaging be used. In one territory the local govt had banned single use plastic bags. This limits most to paper bags. So it is horses for courses.

Great insight all! I'll have to ask the market organizers (and health dept too) what their requirements are for packaging. I know whole/unprocessed produce is fine, but no one has said anything about packaging of any kind.