Setting up a Bake Sale

Ever wanted to start a bake sale but don't know how? What to include in your fundraiser? Or where to even start? These few steps and helpful tips will get you there. First lets break it down into categories starting with what youll need. One very obvious thing that you couldn't do a bake sale without are your pastry items such as cupcakes, cookies, muffins or whatever you choose to make. Your choice of pastry should be determined on what you make best, your crowd and the event or place your bake will be held. Leading into what you'll need next is a set location whether that's at an event held at your school or even somewhere around your neighborhood. Also find a way to talk to a business to get a station set up in front of grocery stores, coffee shops, ect. When the location is found make sure you have a set date so that everything can be combined and communicated to the audience you're looking for. 

At your set location you should have everything organized such as your tablecloth, things you want to hand out like cards and your pastries of course on the table. Other things you might need would consist of Napkins in case someone wants one, Paper bags for people to take their cookies in and An envelope or cash box for money. These materials will help you be more successful and organized. 

The most important thing in creating a bake sells is getting costumers to sell your product to. There are multiple ways you can go about doing this and spreading the words to others. You will begin with making a flyer weather that be online or even creating one by hand. This flyer should include location, time, days, and pricing. Make sure you decorate your flyer to catch the attention of others. The next thing you will need to do is spend the word with the flye you just created. If you made one online you can post them on socials and even send them out. If you made your flyer by hand you can take pictures and upload them to social media with the wonderful technology we have and pass them out around your local area. When creating your bake sale with flyers and materials make sure you prepare at least a week or two before. This gives your customers time to spread the word and come out to support. 

Next in your flyer there should be a section that talks about pricing and what with money goes towards. This will help your customers know what to bring and who/ what they are supporting. This could be a variety of things such as our school, family business, a company extra curricular and more. When creating your prices make sure you think about how much you need to raise for your fundraiser, what bake goods and the amount you have to sale. You could also offer multiple payment options just in case people can't provide just one. 

Now lets talk about food safety or safety in general. You want to make sure your customers come to a clean environment feeling comfortable to come interact with you and donate to your bake sale. This begins with Wash your hands before, during and after you prepare food. You can also Avoid having to touch baked goods on the day of your bake sale by individually wrapping items. Keep instant hand sanitizer at hand just in case! This can help with not only germs but people with allergies with the variety of bake goods you don't want to contaminate. If a customers ask what in the food you should Have recipes at hand to help customers with food allergies or dietary needs. You should also include a section for trash thats not near the food. 

You have your flyer, your materials, your baked goods and your location. All you have to do now is know how to set up. When you're setting up your booth or table make sure you decorate it so that it is eye-catching for potential customers. Depending on when and where you are hosting your sale, you can include a fun theme such as holidays or school spirit. Even match the theme of your flyer to the theme of your booth or table. The most important thing to attract is what you're raising funds for. Make sure customers see and understand your goals very clearly. The main attraction at your booth or table should also be of course the baked goods. Make sure they are well organized and set up on the table to where they are distinctly noticeable and that the customers understand the product. 

Now that you have everything complete the last thing you need to do is come up with a script to present to your customers as they walk up to your booth or table. This could be as simple as “Welcome to my bake sale hi my name is…” In your script you also want to include what you're selling, what you're raising money for and it couldn't hurt to ask if they have any allergies. This script should be unique to you and your fundraiser. Make sure you're always prepared with follow-up questions that may include what made you want to sell this product? Why is this fundraiser important to you? These are questions that can be answered personally and may have you think a little as well. The final step of your script is giving a warm thank you. whether the customer has bought an item, donated or just stop by to say hi make sure you always say thank you. These few and simple steps you just learned how to start your first bake sell fundraiser.

Camari Warren- Secretary (2025-2026)