Observations from first season farmers market
After our first season, we've been attending/selling our syrup/confections at local farmers markets.
I just wanted to share a few humorous observations that occur no less that 100 times a day at every market.
Honey
While looking at our booth loaded with maple filled glass maple leaf bottles, "maple" printed on signs more than 10 times in different areas of our booth, "Oh look, honey!", or "how many hives do you have?", "mmm, I love honey, especially in these beautiful bottles". Not to mention, we're setup right next to a local honey vendor...I wonder if he sells any maple syrup.
Sugar free
No, I'm sorry maple syrup is not sugar free. Oh, you've bought sugar free maple syrup at this market in the past? I wonder what their process is. I'll have to look into some sugar free maple trees.
Diabetes
I'm happy to sell you syrup, but please consult your doctor about adding maple syrup/sugar to your diet, I will not confirm/tell you that diabetics can process maple sugar safely.
Prices
"Your prices are too high, I buy my syrup 6 hours away in another state, he calls is B grade and sells it to me to 40/gal"
"Wow, you're prices are very reasonable compared to other local markets"
"your prices are lower than I've seen, is there something wrong with the syrup?"
Misc
"Do you make the glass bottles?"
"Do you etch the glass bottles?"
"Oh that too sweet"
"I'm watching my sugar"
"I don't like maple"
"Is that whiskey/bourbon in those tall/skinny bottles" - referring to 500ml etched marasca bottles
And finally, something positive to end on...
(from an eight year old boy trying maple cream for the first time) - "That's like liquid heaven" - That one made my day
Mike
450 taps on vacuum - 2018 - 150 gal
530 taps on vacuum - 2019 - 190 gal
520 taps on vacuum - 2020 - 196 gal
515 taps on vacuum - 2021 - 150 gal
24 x 32 Pole Barn Sugar House 2018
Smoky Lake 2x8 Silverlake Raised Flue w/ concentric exhaust 2018
Memprotec 350H RO
Smoky Lake Water Jacket Bottler 2018
Smoky Lake Filter Press 2018
Smoky Lake Water Jacket Draw Off Tank 2018