by For a farmer, there’s nothing more rewarding than the knowledge that your harvests will end up on a family’s table — but the journey your farm-fresh goods take from the fields to the plate is often complicated and fraught with logistical challenges.
That’s why many farmers and consumers have joined the farm to table revolution, a movement connecting food producers directly with customers.
In this blog, we’ll explore what farm to table means — plus three things you need to know about this rising trend.
[H2] What Is Farm to Table?
The farm to table business model is as simple as it sounds. Rather than relying on distributors to purchase their harvests wholesale, farmers sell their goods directly to individual customers.
This approach has major benefits for farmers and customers.
First, it makes nutritious, responsibly farmed products more accessible and often more affordable to a wider range of shoppers. A farm to table business model also offers peace of mind to health and environmentally-conscious customers, showing them exactly where their food comes from and how it’s produced.
As a farmer, you’ll reap the benefits of a farm to table approach in the form of a larger customer base and higher sales. Instead of depending on a third party, you can connect directly with shoppers and become their go-to source for fresh groceries.
How To Succeed in the Farm to Table World
While farm to table is a win-win for everyone involved, it’s not without challenges. You’ll need to adopt new, innovative strategies to win over customers, make sales, and keep your farm running smoothly.
Let’s explore three must-know tips for a successful farm to table plan.
1. E-Commerce Plays a Major Role in Farm to Table Sales
Traditionally, farmers have connected with their customers in farm stores and at farmers’ markets, but a new way to shop has transformed the farm to table world: e-commerce.
Farms like yours are moving online, creating custom websites to share their family farm stories, highlight their harvests, and sell directly to shoppers across the country.
This trend isn’t going anywhere soon; experts predict that the online farm sales industry will double its growth in the next decade.
So, how can you future-proof your farm and boost your farm to table business? You need an online farm sales platform to create a website for your farm, list your offerings for sale, and easily fulfill customers’ online orders.
Related Read: Online Farm Sales Platforms: 6 Best Providers
2. Farm to Table Sales Require Unique Marketing Strategies
Since a successful farm to table approach demands a solid relationship with your customers and community, you might need to brush up on your marketing skills.
Marketing plays a key role in any farm to table strategy, helping you attract new customers, showcase the value of buying directly from a farm, and ensure a steady stream of sales.
Let’s take a look at a few key farm to table marketing strategies:
- Create an engaging website: Use a farm website builder to craft an eye-catching, user-friendly site that tells customers everything they need to know about your farm.
- Leverage social media: Expand your reach and build your online presence by posting regularly on social media. Highlight your freshest harvests, promotions, and even fun facts about your farm.
- Offer subscriptions: Keep your sales high and customers happy by delivering goods right to their door on a set schedule.
- Launch a customer loyalty program: Become your customers’ number-one provider of meat, produce, dairy, and eggs by offering subscription boxes and special perks for their loyalty.
- Stay connected through email and SMS: Keep in touch with your shoppers by sending them regular emails and text messages about your farm’s latest updates.
Prioritizing marketing strategies like these will help you stand out from the competition and set your farm to table operation up for success.
3. You Need Software Designed To Handle Farm to Table Operations
Adopting the farm to table approach can feel like entering a whole new world — which is why you need the right tools to streamline your operations, manage your relationship with your customers, and make online sales possible.
We recommend choosing a software solution designed specifically with the farm to table industry in mind that lets you do the following:
- Make sales by weight
- Track your inventory levels, accounting for in-person and online sales
- Manage and fulfill online orders
- Offer a wide range of options to customers, including pickup, local delivery, and nationwide shipping
- Manage your customer loyalty program
- Access in-depth reports about your farm’s financial performance
The right farm to table software can transform your operations and take your farm to new heights.
Get Started With Farm to Table Today
Embracing the farm to table movement is essential for future-proofing your farm and boosting your bottom line.
While selling directly to customers and getting into the e-commerce game might sound intimidating, we’ll be here to help every step of the way.
GrazeCart is a software solution designed for farms just like yours. Our powerful online order management system, robust inventory tracking, and user-friendly website builder will make launching your farm to table operations a breeze.
Give GrazeCart a try today by starting your free, two-week trial.