Fruit and Vegetable Marketing for Small- Scale and Part- Time Growers — Ag Alternatives — Penn State Extension. Some farmers, such as cash grain farmers or dairy farmers, have large, well- established markets. They can use existing organizations to perform the marketing function for them, or they can band together, form a cooperative, and market their products jointly. Small- scale fruit and vegetable growers generally have more difficulty finding established markets; therefore, they usually develop marketing systems tailored to their unique situations. Major Markets. Fruits and vegetables are produced seasonally, but the market requires products throughout the year. For many decades, this problem of matching product availability with consumer demand was solved in two ways: Selling fresh products during harvest and shortly thereafter. Processing the rest to meet demand during the rest of the year. As technology improved and consumer incomes increased, it became possible to provide fresh produce year- round. American consumers now expect fresh tomatoes, strawberries, and sweet corn every month of the year. In addition, a strong demand remains for processed fruits and vegetables. Fresh Markets. Increased consumer incomes and year- round demand for fresh produce force retailers or their representatives to establish buying points both in different growing areas of the United States and in foreign countries. Some retailers contract year- round with fresh fruit and vegetable packers, who may in turn contract with growers. Contracts and large- volume buying practices enable packers to obtain sufficient quantities of individual products. Guide to the 5 A Day School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme, which entitles children aged four to six to a free piece of fruit or vegetable each school day. Gallbladder Diet Plan. Gallbladder disease is caused mainly due to poor diet and obesity. A prefect diet plan keeps one away from the gallbladder disease. Critical periods for irrigation of vegetables, tree fruits, and small fruits; Type Crop Critical period(s) Vegetable: Asparagus: spear growth, fern growth. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. The fat burning vegetable soup diet is very popular because it doesn’t have limitation on the amount of food you can eat. At the same time it allows many different. ![]() ![]() Large fresh fruit and vegetable packers may contract with growers in several different production regions to ensure that fresh fruits and vegetables are available every week of the year. These packers generally contract only in regions with a large number of growers. Further, they contract mainly with the largest growers, even in concentrated production regions. Some packers ensure supplies by growing commodities themselves. Large retailers and packers are unlikely to purchase products directly from a single, small- scale grower, especially a grower in a remote production area. As a small- scale fresh fruit and vegetable grower, you may consider selling directly to retailers. Although some chain stores and independent retailers have buy- local programs for fresh produce, such stores and programs are not common. You must develop your own marketing system. In effect, you must become the grower, packer, and wholesaler. Processing Markets. To stay competitive, processors must keep unit costs low, so large corporations generally do the processing. Many of the smaller local processors have found it difficult to compete with these corporations and have gone out of business. Almost all processors contract with growers for their raw- product needs. Over the past twenty to thirty years, most processors have moved their plants to major production areas. Only a few processing firms are left in the Northeast. Therefore, it may be difficult to locate processors interested in buying from small- scale growers. If a processor does indicate a willingness to buy, insist on a purchase contract with the processor before planting the crop. You may wish to process your own fruits and vegetables. This is how many of today’s processors entered the business decades ago. If you are considering a processing operation, contact your state Department of Agriculture to learn more about food regulations pertaining to the processing, packaging, and labeling of your product. It will probably be impossible for you to process and market produce at costs as low as those incurred by larger processors. As a result, it may be very difficult to compete for sales with your processed fruits and vegetables through conventional retail outlets. Consider processing specialty items with strong local or regional demand where you will be able to charge a “premium” price. Sometimes a small processor will process fruits or vegetables for a grower on a contract basis, especially if the product being produced does not interfere with its own processing requirements. Of course, its busy time is often when you need to process your product, so this works best for something with an especially early or late processing season. Selling processed fruits or vegetables may, in addition, increase your exposure to product liability suits. ![]() Check with an attorney and an insurance carrier to determine the degree of liability exposure and to secure the proper level of protection. Evaluating Market Demand. Larger growers, particularly those located in major production areas, can pursue either of the two traditional marketing alternatives: wholesale fresh marketing or processing. Small- scale growers who find these marketing avenues closed to them will need to take a direct- to- consumer approach. This requires thorough research of the market and customer behavior before planning crop production. Some farmers generate profits by planting first and then looking for a market, but this is extremely risky for fruit and vegetable growers. There are far more failures than success stories in this situation. If you are a new grower, or an established one planning to produce a new item, you should first attempt to evaluate the market demand for the product and then decide which direct marketing channel(s) will best meet the needs of your consumers. Your estimates of profitability should include the marketing channel costs as well as production costs. Small- scale growers should collect three types of information before deciding to produce and market fresh fruits and vegetables. Determine and define the geographic area where you will market fresh. Identify potential customers before you. Assess the level of unfulfilled demand among consumers within the. It is advisable to estimate the amount that. In the process. you will gain insight into how they might be better served. Consider the competitive structure of your market. ![]() Knowing who your. Note potential competitors who might have marketing. You must find out as much as possible about consumers who may buy your product(s). What products are your potential consumers buying, where are they buying, and when are these products available? Visiting other areas in your state or the United States can help you better understand consumer behavior and produce- marketing practices. Cooperative extension personnel are a valuable source of information about the local marketing situation. ![]() In addition, cooperative extension offices often provide training workshops and seminars specifically for direct marketers. Data on customer demographics is collected by the U. S. Census Bureau. This information can be found online at census. Determine the likely impact of increased production on future selling prices. If you place more produce on the market, and the products are not of different quality or do not meet some other “unmet need” for which consumers are willing to pay a higher price, then it is likely that prices will drop from current levels. ![]() Fruit and Vegetable Diet Plan. Going on a fruit and vegetable diet plan can help you lose weight, but lean meat can be included if you want it. If you want to try.An expected price is a vital piece of information for planning purposes. There is no simple, reliable way of predicting local market prices, but such information is very important to growers. Estimate prices by considering all the available information and using good judgment. When using these estimated prices for planning, remember to include marketing costs and the cost of unsold product. Introducing a new product to consumers and getting them to buy it is difficult because most will not be familiar with it or its potential uses. No more hum drum vegetables or unappealing side dishes that no matter how well intended and lovingly prepared, get pushed around the plate only to be thrown into the. Though I’ve worked in the field of dietetics for the past five years, I’ve just recently started drinking fruits and vegetables. As a former firm believer in. Research has found that diet affects the development of high blood pressure, or hypertension (the medical term). Recently, two studies showed that following a. ![]() The learning process takes time. A new item may provide you with a foothold in a market that will grow rapidly. However, it is more likely to grow slowly, which may result in product waste during the first few years. If fruits or vegetables are commonly consumed, you must find out whether buyers will increase purchases when more is grown and sold in the manner you choose. Supermarkets are major suppliers of fresh fruits and vegetables but generally are not strong competitors for sales of in- season crops. For example, supermarkets sell very little sweet corn when it is available at farmers markets or along roadsides. Other direct marketers, whether they are pick- your- own operations, roadside markets, farmers markets, or curb markets, are your primary competition. Be aware that entry and exit from the market can occur very quickly. In recent years direct marketers have expressed concern about the increased number of competitors and the possibility of profit loss in existing operations. Here are some important questions that you as a grower- marketer must answer: Who are the likely consumers of your produce and where do these consumers live? How many people live within your marketing area? Are consumers currently buying a particular fruit or vegetable? How much of the product(s) do your potential customers currently use? Is this use seasonal? What prices are consumers paying for high- quality products? Are consumers adequately served at present? If consumers in the area are being adequately served, here are some additional questions: Can you do the job better and draw part of the market away from competitors? Can the quantity that consumers purchase be increased by providing better quality than is now available? Will your anticipated production come at a time when little else is offered for sale? What level of quality must you produce to meet the need unfulfilled demands of consumers? How must you prepare and package the produce? What size containers are most popular? What marketing costs will be incurred? Selecting a Direct Marketing Channel. Several factors must be considered when choosing a direct marketing channel. Location can have a major impact on an enterprise’s profitability because location affects the direct marketing channel used as well as the ability to attract customers. Liven up those tired sweet potatoes with coconut, pomegranate and lime. Sometimes called yams, both tubers work equally well in . Compared to . Butternut squash is slightly sweet and when ! Broccoli and cashews belong together in this dish which is perfectly complemented with a citrus amino . Thankfully, cauliflower is a super versatile vegetable that can be cooked and . Traditional french fry recipes . This nutrient- dense recipe makes about 2 cups of creamed greens (2 servings). Looking for . It’s loaded with creamy flavor, and gets a nice crunch from a . It has a peppery and nutty flavor, and the full grown leaf (compared . You can also add sliced leeks to this if you like. It makes a great base recipe . Not only are they easy to bake, but these chips have also become . 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The recipe is simple and makes a great side dish to serve alongside your favorite . Roasting with herbs makes the veggies sweet and savory all at the same ! A light meal that will fill you up. The cinnamon brings out the sweetness of the sweet potatoes, but Tex- Mex spices can be used in its place. This delicious . You can mix in any number of additional ingredients to your taste, including bacon and green onions, or . If you generally use your crock- pot for making soups and ! When cooked, the flesh of this hard winter squash turns into long, noodle- like strands, which are . Our Spaghetti Squash with Garlic and Herbs recipe makes for a . This vegetable soup recipe is made with hearty root vegetables that are roasted to bring out their sweetness, . Mouth- watering masala adds a unique twist to this Paleo casserole recipe that's chock full of heart healthy fats, plenty of fiber, and . Amaze your ? This Traditional Mashed Potatoes recipe prepares them without milk, yet still gives them a creamy texture that will . Serve these up as an appetizer at your next event. Either way, the combination . This winter- root inspired dish is a stunning accompaniment to any holiday.
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