Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
produce, but make sure every consumer is made aware of your box scheme
delivery service.
Some producers use a delivery agent to supply the product, which puts a
critical part of the process in the hands of an agent and this can be risky once
a third party is involved in the supply chain.
When developing a farm box scheme, put on your customers' shoes and
think like a customer, ask yourself the following questions:
•
Does the box size suit the average family needs? You will need at least
two box sizes for different family units and you may opt for three.
•
Can they specify the produce they want to purchase or is that under your
control?
•
Is it clear on the box that the product is local and are your details on the
box to enable the consumer to easily contact you? Is it clear the scheme is
locally owned and operated?
•
Is the information about the produce you sell available to the consumer
on your online webpage?
•
Is the packaging kept to a minimum and reused plus does the customer
know how to return the box to you?
•
Do you produce a newsletter covering topical issues e.g. GM?
•
Are you encouraging the consumer to visit you on the farm and have
farm walks or open days at your convenience?
The Salatin family at Polyface Farms Inc in Swoope, Virginia (
www.
polyfacefarms.com
), have taken the box scheme to another level and
developed a Buyer's Club. This club started with
30
members and now
has over 5000 members and these members purchase 40% of what the
farm grows. The buyers have to be within a 4 mile radius of the farm
and they get a delivery to a local representative's house every
5
weeks.
This means the group get together on a regular basis and are now en-
gaged with the farm. Plus it means food tourism is now focused on
Polyface Farms.
Consumer Cooperatives
Agricultural cooperatives have been a traditional food distribution
chain for many years in France and Japan. In Japan for example, 60%
of food is distributed via cooperatives. A cooperative is where a group
of farmers set up an organization as equal partners to sell their pro-
duce to consumers. Consumers who are concerned about food quality
around the world have also set up similar partnerships to source local
fresh food. With the development of social media marketing we be-
lieve there will be increased interest in consumer partnerships in food
purchasing. This will take the 'box' scheme to another level as well
as give a group of farmers and producers the opportunity to work to-
gether to develop food tourism.
