Essential Bake Sale Gear
- Box of plastic gloves for handling food
- Folding table (or two)
- Tablecloth
- Cash box--with at least $25 in small bills and coins for making change
- Trash bin with liner
- Big signs or banners so people can see where you are over the crowd!
- Plates
- Napkins
- Plastic wrap or cellophane
- Price stickers, sign cards, or small flags
Location, Location, Location
When running a bake sale, visibility is very important. Set up outside of the gymnasium before and after basketball games or set up a canopy near the bleachers at the football field before the big game. Perhaps your school has a designated area for fundraising activities with a table already in place. Any place that is easy to find and has a good amount of foot traffic will do.
Cause a Commotion with Promotion
Have a couple of volunteers work on promoting the bake sale. This can include a mention in the school's morning announcements, flyers, or painting a big banner. Your success depends on your potential customers, so make sure they know exactly when and where the sale is happening. Also, be sure to let people know you're raising funds for a good cause.
The Bottom Line
Check prices at your local bakeries to see how much comparable items cost.
- Keep things affordable, and try to have a range of prices so people with limited means can purchase a cookie or a miniature muffin.
- Sell more items by pricing things in groups: "3 chocolate chip cookies for $1" or "Cupcakes $2 each or 3 for $5." This will entice people to spend more money.
- Place pretty name cards next to desserts along with the prices so people will know what the product is.
- Make sure you clearly label items that contain nuts--a common food allergy concern.
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