What I Wish I Knew Before Opening My Lemonade Stand at Farmer's Markets: Tips from a Successful Seller

Running a lemonade stand at farmers' markets can be incredibly fulfilling—but let me tell you, it’s no walk in the park. When I first started selling lemonade, I had big dreams but absolutely no idea what I was doing. I made so many mistakes that ended up costing time, effort, and money—mistakes that could have been easily avoided if I’d known what I know now.

After years of hard-earned lessons (and a few embarrassing moments), I’m here to share my top tips so you can skip the rookie mistakes and start your lemonade stand on the right foot. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for ways to improve, here’s what I wish I knew when I first started selling lemonade at farmers' markets.

1. Lemons: Not All Lemons Are Created Equal

Let’s face it: you can’t make lemonade without lemons. And while they might seem like a straightforward ingredient, choosing the wrong lemons can create a cascade of problems for your business.

Here’s my story:

• One year, I pre-ordered lemons from my local grocer for our biggest event of the year on July 4th. Unfortunately, those lemons were about the size of golf balls! It took 2-3 lemons to make just one glass of lemonade, which nearly doubled my costs. By the end of the hot summer day, my arm was about to fall off from all the squeezing!

On the flip side, another year I got massive lemons that couldn’t even fit in my squeezer. Every time I pressed them, my strainer clogged with pulp, slowing our line to a crawl. Customers weren’t thrilled about waiting, and neither was I!

What I’ve Learned About Lemons:

• Always ask about the size and quality of lemons before placing an order.
• Maintain a relationship with reliable produce suppliers—your local grocer, wholesale markets, or even farmers you know personally.
• Do a test run with a small batch of lemons before your big event to ensure they’re the right fit for your tools and workflow.

2. Squeezers: Invest Wisely in the Right Equipment

When I first started my stand, I thought the little hand-held lemon squeezers you can find for $10 would work just fine. And they did … for about five minutes. My team and I quickly realized they were too small and too hard on our wrists, making it impossible to keep up with demand at busy farmers' markets.

We later upgraded to a manual squeezer, which helped a lot, but even then, the plastic parts started to wear down after a few years. I still remember the day one of the handles snapped off and nearly hit a customer in line—talk about a stressful moment!

Now we use a heavy-duty, all-metal lemon squeezer. Was it expensive? Yes, but it was worth every penny. It’s faster, sturdier, and has made our lemonade-making process so much smoother (and safer).

What I’ve Learned About Squeezers:

• Don’t cut corners with cheap tools. A good-quality lemon squeezer may cost more upfront, but it’ll save you hours of frustration and repair costs in the future.
• If you’re selling at larger events like farmers' markets, consider investing in a commercial manual press. The time you save during high-demand moments is well worth it.
• Keep a backup tool handy at all times—you never know when something might break.

3. Avoid Overbuying Unnecessary Supplies

Here’s the truth I learned the hard way: not every fancy supply you see is a “must-have” for your lemonade stand. My first year at a farmers' market, I bought branded straws, expensive signage, and a ton of extra decorations that I thought would “wow” my customers. But what wowed them most? A great-tasting lemonade served quickly and with a smile.

Supplies That Actually Matter:

• Fresh lemons, quality squeezers, and delicious ingredients are non-negotiable.
• Keep decorations simple but effective—eye-catching signage is important, but don’t go overboard.
• Avoid branded or custom supplies (like cups or straws) unless you’re doing massive sales volume. Stick to plain but durable options to keep costs low.

3 Secret Supply Hacks That Will Save You Money on Your Lemonade Stand

My Biggest Takeaway: Preparation Saves You Time, Money, and Stress

The most important thing I’ve learned from selling lemonade at farmers' markets is that preparation is everything. Whether it’s selecting the right lemons, choosing tools that actually work, or sticking to essentials when ordering supplies, your decisions will directly impact your success. Trust me, I’ve made my share of mistakes so you don’t have to!

Want to Start Off Strong? Let Me Help Guide You!

If you’re ready to save yourself countless mistakes and build a profitable lemonade stand from day one, then it’s time to check out my Squeeze and Sell Lemonade Course.

Inside, you’ll get a step-by-step game plan for everything from choosing the perfect lemons to setting up your booth at farmers' markets like a pro. It’s the resource I wish I had when I started!

👉 Enroll now in the Squeeze and Sell Lemonade Course and start squeezing success—one lemonade at a time! 🍋

By learning from my experiences, you can focus on what really matters: creating amazing lemonade, winning over customers, and making your stand the talk of the market. Good luck, and happy selling! 🍋