Reflections on My First Farmers Market Season with VIP Pork

As our first farmers market season comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on what a rewarding experience it has been. While this side of our pork production is just a small percent of what we do on the farm, it has been so meaningful to connect with our community in a new way — by offering VIP Pork directly to customers.

One of my favorite parts of the summer was meeting people face to face. There’s something special about being able to talk directly with customers, share cooking tips and encourage them to give pork a try. It was fun to see people discover just how versatile pork can be and the flavor it brings to the table.

Another highlight was supporting and learning from the other vendors. I really appreciated the encouragement, tips, and advice from fellow farmers and small businesses who have been selling direct-to-consumer longer than I have. Their support was invaluable.

Of course, not every farmers market day was busy. Some days were slow, and I quickly learned that offering samples was one of the best ways to draw people in. Our pork snack sticks were always a hit, and they often turned a passerby into a customer. Something unique that surprised me was how popular our smoked pig ears for dogs became — I ended up with several very loyal four-legged customers this summer!

Offering sweet corn during the season was also a great way to draw people to the booth. Since our pork was stored in coolers and not easily displayed, corn was the perfect attention-grabber. Plus, who doesn’t love the thought of a summer meal of BLTs or grilled pork chops with fresh sweet corn?

Convenience items really stood out with customers. Pork burger patties and brats were fan favorites, and of course breakfast classics like bacon and sausage links. I also added new products throughout the season to keep things fresh — baby back ribs for tailgating season, breakfast sausage patties, and a variety of brat flavors. Thinking ahead with promotions was important too. A Father’s Day bundle went over really well, and end-of-summer “smoking” items were popular. For next year, I’d love to plan even more value bundles, but I’ll need to work ahead to make sure I’ve got enough product ready.

Now that the market season has wrapped up, my focus is shifting toward our grocery store outlets — Latimer Grocery and Purple Ribbon Beef. I’m working to keep plenty of product available, from snack sticks that make great harvest-season fuel, to Christmas hams for the holidays. I’m also excited about a new ground ham/pork mix for ham balls (a personal holiday favorite), along with roasts for crockpot season.

This first season has been such a learning curve, but it has left me energized and motivated for what’s ahead. If you know of any local grocery outlets interested in offering farm-fresh, locally raised pork, I’d love to connect. Supporting local food together is something that benefits us all.