How To Jump On The Bandwagon Of Local Best Selling Produce

Meet the best selling produce vendors from British Columbia Farmers’ Market

Here are a handful of encouraging soundbites to chew on as you sample this sumptuous tray of vendor advice.

This insightful guide was written by the British Columbia Farmers’ Market.

Its title… “Successful farmers’ market farmers in British Columbia.”

Its content highlights ready actionable tips for succeeding as a best seller at your local farmers’ market.

Meet the vendors…

Vendor Example #1 – Book regular attendance = repeat business

“When we started selling at farmers’ markets, that is when the floodgates really opened,” says Tyler. “We now had a direct point of contact with customers and were able to get the exposure and confidence we needed to consider approaching other markets.” – Cutter Ranch

After trying the direct selling route, these farmers joined the local farmers’ market in order to round up a customer-base of repeat sales.

Farmers’ markets are a great growth hack opportunity for your farm business.

Tapping into their flow can quickly get you off the ground.

But, it’s all about consistency to convert 1st time buyers into regulars.

Vendor Example #2 – Your brand story sells

“We are young farmers, growing on family land, and doing something unique in the suburbs… So that’s the story we tell,” says Gemma. – Zaklan Heritage Farm

The local community really love to champion its local producers.

Don’t underestimate the ‘draw’ your story will have with it’s readers.

As the old adage in sales goes…”people buy from people.”

Put your people before your product – and get the relationship started on the right basis.

Play to strengths.

You are unique.

Vendor Example #3 – Open day invitation to develop brand advocates

” The Apple Barn is open from August to October and offers visitors an opportunity to experience agriculture in the Fraser Valley. Visitors can buy pumpkins, apples, apple cider, and other processed products through the farm store, participate in children’s activities, and take hay wagon rides around the farm property. ” – Taves Family Farm

Utilise your prime market exposure for plugging an invitation to visit you on-site at the farm.

Leave the door open to show your market crowd a next level of rural hospitality.

Open your doors and make your customers feel right at home.

There’s nothing quite like seeing where produce is grown, tended to and harvested.

Getting familiar with your staff, sounds, scenes and sights at the ranch will do a great job of revealing to your market audience the secret to your success.

Vendor Example #4 – Develop employment opportunities

“We want to have staff who are dedicated and who fit in well,” says Delaney. “We also want to be able to pay people a good wage so we are finding strategies that allow us to do that.” – Ice Cap Organics 

The local community supports producers.

But are producers supporting the local community?

Decent employment opportunities in rural areas are rare.

Getting a like-minded employer who sees beyond the immediacy of filling a gap and wants to invest in future excellence can be hard for even the best candidates.

Give back and it will benefit your business positively.

Vendor Example #5 – Make strategic & direct investments

“We were coming to the farmers’ market with carrots and beets before any other farmer in the Valley, says Robert. “People really like to see that, especially early in the spring, so this gives us a marketing edge.” – Pilgrims Produce

The right strategic investments can offer great advantage in the hustle and bustle of market day.

Taking this example, timing makes all the difference.

Ever heard the phrase, “…the early bird catches the worm?”

Get on the front foot with organisation and allow your business to earn a reputation for being forward.

Vendor Example #6 – Develop relationships with vertical participants

“We have some of the best chefs in the country in our backyard,” explains Lisa. “We are developing relationships and learning about the sector and in turn we are teaching them about the production side.” –  Sterling Springs Chicken

Get connected to people within your vertical marketplace.

Your produce is one aspect of value offered, but your expertise is another thing altogether.

Being fruitful in the work of sharing what you know with users of all kinds – both businesses and consumers – naturally draws an audience to your stall.

Nurture this interest with consistent attendance at your local farmers’ market.

Vendor Example #7 – Display photos & brand collateral

“We are always happy to talk to people about what we do on the farm,” says Pat. “People come to the farmers’ market because they want to be able to ask those questions directly to the farmer, and that is part of the job that we really love.” – Stonefield Farm

Photographs at the point of sale are an impactful method of allowing people to get close to your brand.

The farm in this example clearly have found photos a useful method of eliciting questions and interest in their farm from customers at the stall.

This technique softly upgrades the retail relationship to carrying more substance and depth.

Vendor Example #8 – Diversify your produce

 “We were a little nervous to start selling to restaurants because we weren’t sure if we could support the consistent demand of that market,” says Michael. “So we started with microgreens and a few other things we know we could supply consistently and built from there.” – 3 Crows Farm

In order to appeal to new pockets of niche demand, diversify your product range.

Do your homework and prepare yourself to align with current needs of market segments, perhaps with specialist product lines.

Assess feasibility of ROI on paper, before making your investment.

Vendor Example #9 – Introduce specialist features to gain market share

“One example is purchasing a vehicle that they converted to a mobile food truck, which they take to farmers’ markets and music festivals all summer long. “Some people might say we aren’t getting the return that we should, [but] it’s a way to get our food out to people and to get exposure. And in the end make a bit of extra money, too,” explains Paul.” – Happy Pig Organic Farm

This farmers’ market vendor invested in mobile food truck as a means of gaining exposure for their meat range by processing the produce.

Festivals & outdoor events are hard work alongside farming.

But it’s a means of producers giving end users first hand experience of product – at consumption stage.

Food trucks offer great opportunity for branding and trial – why not print up your consumables (napkins, paper cups etc.) with your logo and motto to sow the scene?

Once seen in your region serving hot food out of a van at high profile events, you’ll earn loads in ROI from outdoor advertisement.