7 Steps to a Successful Bake Sale

Now that back to school is finally here bring on the fundraisers. Everyone loves a bake sale! They are fun, easy, and something the kids will enjoy helping with, too.  1. Gather a Team Bake sales take lots of helping hands. By breaking down the event into bite-sized tasks, it’s simple for many people to make a small contribution towards a successful fundraiser. Volunteers are needed to: Bake cookies, cakes, pies, etc. Purchase pre-baked items Purchase decorations Make / buy signs and flyers Setup and clean up Staff the bake sale 2. Choose the Best Spot Pick a well-trafficked time, place and location. To increase sales, try scheduling the bake sale during another event, like a school sports game, open house or carnival, church picnic, soccer tournament, swim meet, theater event, race, parade or garage sale. 3. Get the Word Out Promote your bake sale in school / group newsletters and post colorful signs near foot traffic such as the school drop off and pickup line, and close to the bake sale itself.  Another opportunity to remember is your social network. Have the team post mentions and photos on Facebook to build interest. 4. Start Baking! Homemade items sell faster and baking at home offers opportunities for kids to help. We all know parents are BUSY, so be sure to welcome store-bought goods as well. If you want to ensure a tasty palette of choices, plan general categories and ASK volunteers to sign up for specific donations. Be sure to include nut-free & gluten-free options for customers with food allergies and healthy choices for those avoiding sweets. Consider these options: Cookies Cakes Pies Popcorn, Popcorn Balls Sweet Breads Scones Fruit/Chocolate Bars Rice Cereal Treats Cheesecakes Doughnuts Muffins Brownies Granola or Trail Mix (packaged in plastic cups with lids) Fresh fruit salad (packaged in plastic cups with lids) 5. Boost Sales with Bonus Items Once you’ve gathered a crowd, think creatively about how to get them to spend even more money at your bake sale with value-added offerings: lemonade, coffee or hot chocolate and yogurt cups. If your bake sale takes place during the holidays, provide decorative cellophane bags and ribbon or gift wrap items for a small fee. Consider adding a raffle with a choice prize such as a special cake or donated spa treatment or restaurant gift certificate. 6. Pay Attention to Presentation Are all baked goods labeled with a list of ingredients (or at least nuts or other allergens, if present)?  Are the tables arranged to maximize space and allow people to walk around? Do the tablecloths have a simple pattern so the baked goods are the main attraction? Will cupcakes and cookies be sold both individually and in sets? Are edible items out of reach from small kids? 7. Be Prepared! Use a checklist to gather everything you need for bake sale day: Tip: Check the space a few days before to see what items the school or event venue can provide. Pack small items in a wagon to make them easier to carry from your car. Folding tables Table cloths Cash box with plenty of change Chair and fan for volunteers Cooler with ice for cold drinks and insulated carafe for hot drinks Napkins Small plates and cups Plastic forks and spoons Small to-go boxes or large zipper plastic bags Colored sticky dots representing pricing (red= $.25, yellow = $.50, green = $1, etc.) or get fancy with custom made labels Index cards and markers to list item names and ingredients (If you have several bake sales throughout the year consider using decorative picks) Plastic gloves for serving food Cake/pie serving utensils Posters Trash bags and trash can Cleaning supplies including a broom, mop, spray cleaner and towels
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