I am new to this site as a member although for a few months I have been periodically viewing some of the posts. I know that by many, we food vendors are considered necessary evils, however I really enjoy doing art festivals more than other festivals available througout the state of Florida. Having said that I would really appreciate some information as to which venues some of you believe would be of interest to me. While I understand that this is primarily an art related site all of you have to eat and we particularly enjoy feeding the various artist attending these events. We even provide special pricing to other show participants. We have managed to book about 20 weekends between September 1st and March 30th but need a dozen more to fill the schedule. We are a mom and pop operation but have been very successful in the past year and offer some foods that are different such as blackened shrimp po' boys and shrimp tacos. We also offer the standard hot dogs and sausages as well as fresh squeezed lemonade. Any suggestion would be greatley appreciated. I would be more than willing to share with you any events I encounter that may be off the main path.
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Any food vendor who is open during set up is a plus!
Sorry, I didn't elaborate - print off a menu/card and have it part of the vendor's packet, or go around and put it in each marked out space if they haven't set up yet. While not everyone is going to participate...there are plenty who will.
What I look for and appreciate in a food vendor - someone who has "light" on the stomach food & beverages available during set-up time for the other vendors. Some of the events I am at do this - and those vendors who have cold beverages, coffee in the morning, breakfast sandwiches rather than donuts, lunch sandwiches, etc non-greasy/non-messy food have done very well and it has been well worth their while (they told me...)
It doesn't have to be the same food that is served during the events hours...that's where some make the mistake. One even stays open 2 hours after with her beverages, and she has a steady flow of business. Let the vendors know ahead of time - print off a little card telling them what you serve, when you will be open, etc. Some vendors (if they have enough helpers or team up with a service organization like the boy scouts/church groups/high school groups) take orders in the morning and deliver lunch. Whether or not I bring my own lunch, I always participate and make a note of it for the next year so I continue to "honor" those who have gone out of their way to provide this service to me. It's one less thing I have to do in the morning - whether it be making breakfast or lunch. Some food vendors even come around with food and sell it direct. This is actually great for the food vendor - as attendees ask "who" to go to food vendor wise...and you guessed it - I recommend those who have gone out of their way. It all makes for a great event.
I am sad when I do a fair and there are no vendors. It is always a special treat to go get a gyro, bbq pork taco, funnel cake etc.
Sorry I can't help you with the Florida area, but I'd love to have a vendor selling shrimp goodies in Virginia:-) It's also good that you offer the artists a discount. A food vendor this spring had breakfast roll and juice for us free, plus discounts later in the day. Always good to have food vendors, as long as the show doesn't have too many. A variety of food is also a big plus.