One of the simpler (though not necessarily easier!) ways to sell your product is directly to the consumer. These channels often make the most sense for small operations, and even within the direct-to-consumer model, there are many different options to fit your needs and strengths as a producer/business.
Farmers’ Markets
Farmers Markets are probably the most well known outlet for direct sales, and they have minimal barriers to entry (low upfront cost, low commitment, little to know computer skills required).
- Here’s our page that describes how to start selling at market as well as lists all the farmers’ markets in the state.
- And tips for selling more at markets.
- Below is a video that walks you through selling at market, including what kind of tent to buy, how to set up your stand, how to keep your product fresh, and more.
Farm Stands
A Farm Stand is a temporary (or more permanent) set up in a high traffic area on or off the farm, and can generally attract customers within a 30 mile radius. They are often used for products that have a short season and high appeal for customers like cherries or peaches. You can have a farm employee present at the farm stand at all times, or you can use the honesty system to decrease labor costs. Farm stands can also combine well with agritourism.
- This is a good overview of how to set up a farmstand using the honesty system.
- Below are some tips on how to start a farm stand, including what kind of refrigeration to use.
Below is a step by step video for building the actual stand for a moveable farm stand.
Online Marketplaces
As so much of consumers’ shopping has gone online, it can make sense to explore online sales as another marketing channel. This will most likely be successful for products that have a longer shelf life such as meat, processed products, and non-food items. There are many existing platforms that you can sell your products through, or you can make the choice to set up a sales system through your own website.
- This is a good overview of online sales and how to make sure the platform you choose makes sense for your business.
- This both has a list of additional marketing resources, and as you scroll down, a list of online marketplaces where you can sell your products direct to the consumer.
CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Models
Though there are many variations, most CSA models have customers purchase a “share” in the farm/ranch’s product before the season begins and then customers receive a weekly or bi-weekly basket of products from the producer. Most CSA’s have customers pick up their weekly shares, but some also have a delivery system. Some CSAs are single farms and others are a collective of farms that aggregate their product to serve a larger clientele.
- This is a good overview of CSAs and what to think about before you start, how to market your CSA, etc.
- Below is a video that gives tips on marketing your CSA, especially for brand new CSAs.
Double Up Food Bucks
Double Up Food Bucks, while not a channel in and of itself, is a way to get more sales through farmers markets, farm stands, CSAs and even grocery stores. It is a project of the NMFMA that provides a dollar for dollar incentive for SNAP (food stamp) customers when buying local fruits and vegetables. So if a customer uses their SNAP money to buy five dollars worth of farmers’ market tokens, they then get $5 in Double Up tokens. If you join the Double Up program, your SNAP customers get double the purchasing power.
If you’re selling at a farmers’ market where Double Up is already accepted, talk to your Market Manager about joining the program. If you’re interested in becoming a Double Up outlet at your farm stand, email Sarah Thompson, the Double Up program director.
For more information on this program, please visit DoubleUpNM.org.
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