Direct Store Sales
Regional wholesale marketing of vegetables to chain or independent supermarkets is a viable marketing outlet for both large- and small-scale vegetable producers.
Many consumers are requesting that their local supermarkets buy locally grown produce.
To evaluate this market outlet, identify all food retailers in your area, and visit or call each store to determine if they are interested in purchasing locally grown produce.
Direct marketing to supermarkets eliminates the need for a broker and allows growers to label their produce. Large-scale producers can market large lots of produce by selling wholesale to a supermarket. Small-scale producers can fulfill the demand for niche produce items that supermarkets cannot purchase through traditional wholesale channels. Many upscale or specialty supermarkets may be looking for premium, farm-fresh produce items, such as organic, ethnic, heirloom or baby vegetables.
Harvest scheduling is crucial for marketing to supermarkets, since produce cannot be delivered to market every day.
Supermarkets require a consistent supply and quality of produce. The labor or equipment to harvest the produce on a timely basis must be available, and coolers may be needed to preserve post harvest quality and for short-term storage.
Harvest scheduling is crucial for marketing to supermarkets, since produce cannot be delivered to market every day.
Some require growers to attend food safety training, to have a third-party auditor and to have specific requirements for harvesting, packaging and handling produce.
most supermarkets require the items to fit on a 40-by-48-inch pallet for ease of handling in the warehouse or store.
Some supermarkets will accept locally grown produce at the local store, and others may require the produce to be delivered to a central warehouse facility.Buyers may wish to inspect the farm and discuss production practices used to grow the crop.Contact the local produce manager from the supermarket you are interested in selling to and establish a relationship with the buyers.Prices for produce are negotiated with each buyer, but price levels do not fluctuate significantly.