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.
I think most large farms sell their products to some merchants or big companies, which later distribute or export to other countries.