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So what's the best way to sell organic veggies?

by socialentry
8 replies
OK, so I'm helping out a relative selling garlic scapes. He has a small organic farm but he's not big enough to attract the large food brokers. He wants to do it B2B and sell to resellers.

1-What should be the first port of call for information?

I have no idea what's a fair price wholesale. Right now, my plan is to call random companies and then ask them what's up. I figure if the price too high, I'll know soon enough.

Is there a better way? The problem is I'm used to have huge lists of prospects to call but if I stick with things like supermarkets and organic health store, there's not tons of prospects in my area.

2-What would be a good time constraint to use in this case?
#organic #sell #veggies
  • Profile picture of the author animal44
    Try specialty restaurants. Approach the chefs. Offer a free sample pack. Ensure it's well presented. Put together a shiltz beer type blurb telling about how they're lovingly cultivated with the finest fresh shit . You'll get better prices than the farmers markets and a whole lot of repeat custom. And they'll also possibly buy your other produce...
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  • Profile picture of the author Ron Lafuddy
    Originally Posted by socialentry View Post

    OK, so I'm helping out a relative selling garlic scapes. He has a small organic farm but he's not big enough to attract the large food brokers. He wants to do it B2B and sell to resellers.

    1-What should be the first port of call for information?

    I have no idea what's a fair price wholesale. Right now, my plan is to call random companies and then ask them what's up. I figure if the price too high, I'll know soon enough.

    Is there a better way? The problem is I'm used to have huge lists of prospects to call but if I stick with things like supermarkets and organic health store, there's not tons of prospects in my area.

    2-What would be a good time constraint to use in this case?
    Farmer's markets and co-ops. Also, non-competing farms that have retail outlets, cider mills.

    Ron
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  • Profile picture of the author savidge4
    Garlic Scapes.. how interesting... but SO SO SO seasonal. They are available what a month out of the year?

    I am gong to shoot straight here.. I really don't know how big the overall crop is from the farm, but I would be looking to retail this. Look up "Pickled Garlic Scapes" 3 jars on etsy for $24.00 comes.. oh then a bit of searching on Etsy.. freeze dried scapes 8.4 oz for $27.00

    So lets get into the real good stuff here... first off anything "Farm to Table" at this point is a bonus... Did you know Garlic scapes can be used on the paleo diet?

    This would be a great example of something that could actually be sold in advance.. because the season is so short, You should already have "Standing orders" for this stuff by April or May....

    BTW.. whats the next crop? You should get on moving that NOW.. I will guess late August early September?
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  • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
    You say he wants to sell to resellers.

    Why?

    Just spoke with a friend who has a small hydroponic operation today.

    Yesterday he spoke with the owner of a upmarket chain of fine restaurants and a supermarket owner.

    Their problem is a very little local choice and it's in a very short season.

    Rest of the year the produce either gets flown or shipped in.

    They would take anything he could supply,
    the restaurants would change the menu to match
    what he had and without prompting, they said they would pay 3 to 4 times
    what they are currently paying for fresh veges.

    Both owners appeared to be competing with each other to get the supply of fresh greens.

    So, go see if there is the same demand from nearby restaurants for the freshest organic veges.

    Best,
    Ewen
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  • Profile picture of the author TrafficQueen
    Banned
    This sounds like more of an offline task. It sounds like he should be targeting restaurants and giving away some try before you buy. Farm markets also might be an idea.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ron Lafuddy
    How about garlic scented soap (organic of course) to keep Claude away? Har! Har!

    Another idea to check into, especially in small farm towns/communities is food processing plants.
    They process the fresh produce grown in the area and ship it to distribution points.

    I helped a woman with an herb farm establish a connection with one. She was chasing the retail market but found this connection to be extremely lucrative.

    Ron
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  • Profile picture of the author TheMentorGuy
    Banned
    Try farming markets and food festivals, that kind of thing. Also approaching restaurants and chefs.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    Top dollar for all he can sell - the high end restaurants....they will run them on 'special menus" for as long as they can get them. Of course he will need to be producing enough to supply a restaurant for the ingredient's growing season.
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