Direct Marketing Farmers Are Selling More Online
Diversifying your sales channels helps ensure the long-term success of your business. This is true...
Partnering with local pickup locations can help farms & CSA's reach new customers while maintaining affordable distribution costs. Farms and CSA's on Local Line leverage local pickup points in their communities including gyms, bakeries, and restaurants, as pick up locations for their orders.
Here’s how to get started:
The first step is to identify businesses that could serve as suitable pickup spots. Locations like local gyms, YMCA facilities, cafes, and bakeries are great options. These businesses often appreciate the opportunity to offer added perks to their customers or members, making the collaboration a win-win situation.
When approaching these businesses, it's important to emphasize that you’ll take on all the work needed, such as setting clear pickup times and days with your customers, getting any required equipment (freezer or storage containers), etc. This minimizes the burden on the business owner and makes the partnership more appealing.
Initiate the conversation by explaining how the program can benefit both parties. Sometimes, this might require multiple discussions, so don’t give up right away – they might just need a little extra convincing!
You want to ensure that you’re highlighting the value of this partnership, i.e., that you’re helping each other out here. Here are a few value propositions you can pitch:
The success to a long-term partnership is setting clear expectations right off the bat. Walk through potential scenarios and how you would solve these.
For example, what happens when a customer misses the pick up window?
Whatever the scenario, be sure to have a set protocol, and then clearly communicate this with your customers and pick up partner. The last thing you want is unnecessary responsibility placed on the pickup partner without them knowing, i.e., frustrated customers asking where their orders are after the pickup time slot.
Once you’ve secured pick up partners, add these locations to your Local Line storefront for customers.
To set up a pick up location:
Collaborating with non-agricultural businesses for CSA or order pickups can be great for business! Create successful partnerships that benefit everyone involved and start connecting with local businesses in your area.
Nina Galle is the co-author of Ready Farmer One. She continues to arm farmers with the tools, knowledge, and community they need to sell online at Local Line.
Stay in the loop by subscribing to our newsletter and receive weekly insights that you won't want to miss.
Diversifying your sales channels helps ensure the long-term success of your business. This is true...
Local Line and Compeer Financial are pleased to announce their partnership to support local food...
ORLANDO, FL, October 4, 2023 – America’s top supply chain professionals select Local Line as the #1...