Product

A shift was already underway to ordering food online in America, prior to the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic. U.S. online grocery sales grew 22% in 2019 and, propelled by high demand from nationwide COVID-19 lockdowns, stands to surge about 40% this year, according to the Coresight Research U.S. Online Grocery Survey 2020. Shopping for food online has become normal, if not the “new normal”. Farmers who direct market their products and craft food entrepreneurs can also implement the online tools necessary to capture these profitable food and beverage sales.

In 1906, an Italian economist named Vilfredo Pareto created a mathematical formula to describe the unequal division of wealth in his country. The Pareto principle (also known as the 80/20 rule or the law of the vital few) states that in many cases, roughly 80% of the effects of an action comes from 20% of the causes. Pareto showed that approximately 80% of the land and wealth in Italy was owned by 20% of the population.

Selling in quantity to a buyer who then resells the product. Most agricultural products in the US are sold through wholesale channels. Small farmers may sell wholesale directly to local grocery stores, natural food stores, food service establishments, and food buying co-ops or to buyers who then serve as the middle man in the marketing chain.

Since distribution is the means of getting your product into the hands of your customers, first look at how your competitors’ products are sold. Make a list of any competitors in your marketing area that could compete directly with you for the same list of customers. This list should then be divided into different distribution channels. For example, direct farm markets, farmers’ markets, Internet sales, business-to-business, specialty stores, or niche markets.

Processing For Profits-An Assessment tool and guide for small-scale on-farm food processors This publication addresses product development, manufacturing, understanding the food safety system, labeling, acidified food, FAQs about Maryland’s food regulations, specific Maryland processed farm products, business planning, and marketing for specialty food producers and processors. Any producer interested in the potential and pitfalls of on-farm and value-added food processing will find this new resource helpful in their planning and implementation process.

The third issue (September 2020) of the "Maryland Retail Products Producer News & Notes". In this issue Ginger talks about scaling up your recipe.

The second issue (August 2020) of the "Maryland Retail Products Producer News & Notes". In this issue Ginger talks about product development.

The first issue (July 2020) of the "Maryland Retail Products Producer News & Notes". In this issue Ginger shares the results of a survey that was conducted.