Most farmers see their farm as an opportunity to create and grow a profitable business. To do that, they may sell their produce through a variety of different methods.
The farmers’ market is a very popular place to sell produce (and there are many great things to sell), and it can lead to a wide variety of other venues.
One of the most important aspects of selling produce at the farmers’ market is building relationships and making connections and contacts.
In this article, we will provide an overview of selling produce at farmers’ markets and explain how this can lead to greater sales opportunities. Read on to learn more on how do farmers sell their produce.
What You'll Learn Today
How Do Farmers Sell Their Produce
1. Farmers’ Market
The farmers’ market is often the very first place that new farmers begin selling their produce. This is because it’s easy to get started at the farmers’ market. The venue is established, and lots of customers come by every week to see what’s on offer.
The farmers’ market gives you the opportunity to sell direct to the public and keep all the profits for yourself.
Even so, you may not make a great deal of profit at the farmers’ market. One of the best advantages of this sales venue is the relationships and contacts you make.
When you establish yourself at the farmers’ market, you become known locally and you build your reputation. This is why it’s so important to set up a regular, attractive farmers’ market stall.
Be there dependably, and always offer the best quality produce and other products you possibly can. Be sure to get to know your customers and make it easy for them to contact you with special orders and requests.
2. Special Orders
Once you’ve built a reputation and people know what you have on offer, they are sure to want to visit your farm and purchase eggs, milk, meat, produce and whatever else you may have on offer on the spot.
This is another exercise in relationship building that can lead to more and greater sales in the future.
For example you may wish to set up seasonal boxes of produce that you can deliver to your established customers.
This will give you the opportunity to put together collections of your most abundant products and provide convenience and value to people who have come to trust and depend upon you.
3. Online Sales
In addition to giving your farmers’ market customers your contact information so that they can contact you, be sure to have them sign up to receive regular, email newsletters.
Establish a website and/or a social media page so that you can post images of your crops, harvests, livestock and special offers as they become available.
Give your customers the opportunity to place orders online which they can either pick up or you can deliver.
4. Restaurant Sales
Local restaurant owners and chefs also frequent farmers’ markets looking for new sources of fresh, local produce.
These are relationships you’ll want to be sure to cultivate as they can become quite lucrative. Be sure to exchange contact information.
Follow up visits by local chefs and restaurateurs with a friendly phone call, a visit and/or a meal in the restaurant. This will give you a good idea of what the establishment has and what it needs that you can provide.
5. Local Groceries
Small local grocery stores and health food stores may be very good customers for locally sourced produce.
Visit and talk with buyers and owners to determine what they need. Let them know what you can provide currently and make plans to alter your plantings when possible to fulfill their future needs.
How To Market And Sell Your Produce
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Way to Sell Farm Produce?
There are many different ways you can sell your farm produce. There is no one “best way” to sell it; the best way for you is whatever brings in the greatest profit for the time and money you put into it.
Popular ways of selling home grown farm produce include offering it at farmers’ markets, selling to local shops or restaurants, and selling directly to individual customers.
Can You Sell Your Farm Produce Wholesale?
Selling wholesale is a great option for many farmers. More and more people are looking for high-quality, locally grown produce, so branding your products to appeal to local customers is essential.
You can sell your produce wholesale through local grocery stores or by selling it to distributors or cooperatives. It’s important to study the market and price your items competitively, but in a way that will also enable you to turn a profit.
What Are the Benefits and Drawbacks of Selling Produce?
Selling produce can be extremely satisfying, as it allows you to make a profit off of goods that you produced yourself. If you enjoy growing food, selling produce can be a great way to turn your hobby into an income.
That said, if you have a small farm, growing enough produce to earn a living on requires a lot of time and space, and it can take extra work to find a market for everything you want to sell. Crops are also susceptible to pests, diseases, and storms while they are growing, making them a fairly high-risk investment.
How Do Farmers Get Their Produce to Local Consumers?
Locally grown produce tends to be in higher demand than food grown non-locally since it is fresher. Getting your food to local customers while it is still fresh is one of the best ways to earn top-dollar for your goods.
If you don’t already have an established customer base, selling at a farmers’ market will enable you to sell to local customers and potentially grow your business by establishing connections with customers and other vendors. To sell outside of a farmers’ market, offering to deliver products to customers can be a great selling point. Get the word out about your business online through social media and paid local advertising.
What Are Some Good Ways to Get Produce to Non-Local Buyers?
If you want to expand your market to non-local buyers, this can help you earn a higher income as you reach more and more customers.
The best way to reach non-local buyers is by selling wholesale through distributors or cooperatives. These third-party organizations do the work of getting your goods out to retailers, restaurants, and other customers, making it easier for you to expand your reach and sell to the greatest possible number of customers.
I think most large farms sell their products to some merchants or big companies, which later distribute or export to other countries.