by The farm to fork revolution is in full swing, and customers are turning to trustworthy local farmers to stock their refrigerators and freezers with fresh meat and produce.
Starting a farm store is the perfect way to capitalize on this trend, turn your harvests into a profit, and make farm-fresh goods more accessible in your community.
But what is a farm store? And more importantly, why and how should you start one?
In this blog, we’ll answer these questions and give you a plan to start, manage, and grow your farm store.
What Is a Farm Store and Why Should You Start One?
Let’s start with the basics: What is a farm store?
Simply put, it’s a permanent location to sell your farm’s goods — whether a small stand to sell eggs and produce or a larger market to showcase your various harvests.
Starting a farm store is one of the best ways to sell your farm’s goods directly to customers. These farm-to-table enthusiasts can visit your farm in person, see your regenerative farming practices in action, and feel confident supporting a family farm.
Plus, you get to cut out the middle man and charge a premium for your high-quality meats and produce — giving you more revenue to invest in growing your farm.
How To Sell Farm-Fresh Products: The Basics
Now that you know what a farm store is and why you should start one, let’s talk about how to do it. Here are three simple steps to start selling your farm-fresh goods.
1. Research Your Local Laws
Before selling your first pork chop or turnip, thoroughly research your area’s laws about selling farm goods.
Some states allow you to sell shelf-stable homemade goods like jellies and jerky with no restrictions, but most require you to obtain a license and follow strict regulations if you sell perishable items like meat, eggs, or produce. Other states have a cap on the amount of sales you’re allowed to make each year, requiring high-volume farm stores to get a license.
Your local extension office will be your best resource as you investigate the laws and make a compliance plan.
Regardless of your state’s laws, we recommend following best practices for food safety. Keep products like meat, produce, and eggs fresh and customers safe by thoroughly labeling and storing them at the appropriate temperature.
2. Make a Farm Inventory Management Plan
Inventory management is one of the most important pillars of farm store success. To meet your customers’ needs and maximize your profits, you need to know exactly what you have on hand and what you’ve sold.
Since each steak in your freezer is unique in shape and size, we recommend a weight-based approach to tracking and selling your products. That way, you can charge by the pound and build trust with your customers by providing them with a consistent product every time they stop by your farm store.
You also need a plan to keep your inventory as fresh as possible. Along with the right storage and packaging strategy, you should carefully label products like meat with their pack and expiration date to give customers peace of mind.
Pro tip: Barcode labeling is the best way to keep your inventory fresh and organized. To implement a barcode inventory management approach, invest in a deli scale with an integrated barcode label printer.
3. Invest in a Point of Sale System
The final item on your farm store to-do list is to invest in a point of sale (POS) system.
This powerful tool processes sales transactions — but it doesn’t stop there. A farm store POS system can help you manage inventory, track sales, and market your new business.
Our top tip is to choose a specialized solution designed specifically for farm stores. Look for features like perishable and weight-based inventory tracking, email and SMS marketing integration, and advanced reporting and analytics.
Related Read: What Is the Best Farm Store POS Software? 4 Top Options
Attracting Customers and Growing Your Farm Store
You’ve made your first farm store sale. Now what?
Your next step is to create a farm store marketing strategy to attract shoppers, build a loyal customer base, and grow your revenue. Here are three strategies to start with.
1. Embrace E-Commerce
E-commerce has revolutionized the farming industry, making farm-fresh goods more convenient and accessible. Instead of making the trek to your farm store, shoppers can browse your offerings and place an online order from the comfort of home.
In return, you can expand your reach with pickup and delivery options.
Selling farm goods online might sound intimidating, but the right farm e-commerce platform makes it a breeze. Look for one with a user-friendly website builder to help you launch and manage your online store.
2. Master the Art of Marketing
Hoping to bring a steady flow of customers to your farm store? Then you need a marketing plan.
Here are just a few tips to grow your farm store’s loyal customer base:
- Build a social media presence: Share snapshots of your farm, highlight your recent harvests, and encourage your followers to stop by your store.
- Launch a loyalty program: Reward repeat customers by offering them special perks and exclusive discounts. Make sure your farm store POS system includes a built-in loyalty program!
- Start a blog: Share your farm story and offer behind-the-scenes looks at your farm’s operations to show customers that you care about producing high-quality, sustainable meats and produce.
These strategies let you share your unique story and attract dedicated customers.
3. Craft a One-of-a-Kind Experience
There’s no way around it: Relying on a traditional big-box supermarket is usually more convenient than shopping at your farm store.
That’s why it’s so important to offer something customers can’t find anywhere else.
Along with providing sustainably produced farm-fresh products, think of ways to create a holistic experience for your shoppers. Whether you offer family-friendly farm tours or free samples with every purchase, go above and beyond to encourage them to come back again and again.
Find Farm Store Success With GrazeCart
So, what is a farm store? It’s a fantastic opportunity to turn your farm’s goods into a healthy profit. All you need is a thorough plan and the right tools to get started.
GrazeCart is a powerful software solution designed to simplify the farm sales process. This one user-friendly platform lets you track perishable and weight-based inventory, process sales transactions, manage marketing campaigns, and build your e-commerce strategy.
Ready to start your farm store journey? Launch your free GrazeCart trial today.