Localized farming used to be a necessity. It was the primary way for a community to get fresh food. Then, it became a trend — something reserved for artisanal restaurants.
Now, localized farming is a full-on movement, with customers clamoring for fresh and delicious local food.
The future of farming is local — and with the right tools, it’s easier than ever to sell fresh meat, produce, herbs, and more directly to your community.
In this article, we discuss:
Ready to reconnect with the locals? Let’s get started.
Localized farming (or localized agriculture) is a movement that aims to reduce the distance between local farmers and the table. It emphasizes buying directly from local farms to support sustainability, good nutrition, and local economies.
It’s also a reaction to industrialized agriculture, which has potentially caused environmental harm and moved us away from eating seasonal, fresh food. While local farms were once central to communities, people moving to cities and suburbs forced farms to adapt their business models to survive.
Ironically, the internet has revived the local farming industry, giving farmers the tools they need to engage directly with their community. Technological innovations like hydroponic farming, greenhouses, and vertical farming are also expanding localized farming to more urban areas.
In a world where large-scale agriculture and meat production rules, it may seem like smaller farms have little to offer. That’s simply not true. It’s estimated that small farms contribute over a third of the world’s food supply.
How can small farms stay competitive without using all of their land for staple crops like wheat and soy? By selling directly to customers.
Localized farming has many tangible benefits for small farms and their communities.
Perhaps the most significant benefit of localized farming is its impact (or lack thereof) on the environment. When a large-scale agriculture business produces something, it typically requires vast amounts of land and water, which can harm local ecosystems.
Related Read: 9 Best Cold Shipping Solutions for Your Farm-to-Table Business
Small farms reduce both chemical runoff and emissions by adopting seasonal growing strategies and shortening the supply chain.
Not only is local farming good for the planet, but it’s also good for your bottom line.
Consumers are increasingly looking for sustainable options, with eight out of every ten making shopping choices based on sustainability. A separate survey shows that over 60% of customers are willing to pay more for sustainable packaging.
Selling food in the same region where it’s grown and raised keeps money flowing within the local economy. As your business grows, you’ll create jobs within the community, further boosting local economic health.
You can also connect directly with other local businesses, like small grocers, restaurants, butchers, and more. Providing them with fresh food helps both businesses boost sales while spreading awareness of your farm brand.
If you sell online, you can also use your e-commerce solution to build custom product bundles featuring items from local businesses, strengthening community ties.
If you’ve ever gone to a farmers market or other local event, you know how valuable it is to connect directly with your customers.
More people than ever want to know the source of their food, and farmers can become the friendly faces behind customers’ meals. Build a loyal following of customers so you can:
You can also create customer loyalty programs that encourage repeat business and track customers’ buying habits. This information lets you understand exactly what your customers are buying and gives you a way to market directly to your best customers.
When you buy from local farms, the food is just better.
Large-scale farming businesses have to harvest prematurely, use chemical treatments, or cut corners to extend shelf life and prepare food for travel. This results in produce and meat that just aren’t as tasty or nutritious as locally sourced meat and produce.
Selling locally gives your community affordable access to more flavorful ingredients. Local pickup and delivery also means products spend less time in transit, which helps them retain their nutritional value.
Related Read: Local Meat Delivery: 5 Best Practices
Almost 30 percent of food in grocery stores is thrown away. That amounts to billions of tons every year, most of which end up in landfills.
Selling directly to customers reduces the risk of meat and produce that sits unsold on a shelf. Shorter transit times also ensure that the food you sell doesn’t spoil as quickly.
Leveraging farm inventory management solutions and following shipment best practices can help you further minimize food waste.
You can also sidestep the problem of food aesthetics. Many large retailers throw out perfectly good fruits and vegetables simply for not looking a certain way.
Last, partner with local food banks so that any unsold food doesn't end up in the trash.
Nine out of ten customers put fresh food on the list of things that make them happy. However, convenience is also at the top of consumers' minds.
Fresh food alone won’t bring in customers. You need to offer them a convenient, modern shopping experience, too. Leveraging a fresh food e-commerce platform like GrazeCart is an important first step.
GrazeCart simplifies selling fresh food online with a no-code website builder, customizable shipping and pickup options, sell-by-weight functions, advanced inventory management, and more.
Here are a few quick tips to ensure your localized farming efforts are a success:
Going local doesn’t mean going smaller. Focusing on localized farming is a great way to grow a loyal customer base, develop sustainable practices, and become a reliable fresh food supplier.
Try a free 14-day trial of GrazeCart today to see how you can create a modern, convenient, and localized farming experience.