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UPDATE bot. Pg2-What marketing pitch would entice you to buy local fruit vs grocery store?
Posted on 6/12/19 at 10:23 pm
Posted on 6/12/19 at 10:23 pm
Curious as to what word or words would entice you personally to buy local fruit (specifically blueberries) from a local small blueberry farm vs in the store?
We are currently advertising as: “fresh local *parish name* blueberries”
I sometimes mention that they are organic, pesticide and herbicide free or handpicked.
We sell them by the pint and gallon and offer a 4 pint special (4 for price of 3).
I have price checked with local grocery stores and we are 2.5x more expensive per pint and $8 more per gallon ($17 for a frozen gallon in the store vs $25 for our fresh ones)
We did decent last year advertising via Facebook, flyers, word of mouth and road signs but we are looking to improve.
Not bashing any store, but these berries are night and day to store bought berries. Store bought ones have very little, if any flavor and sweetness compared to these.
—-Just curious as to why you would personally spend the extra $ for these vs store bought ones (if you would opt for local vs store bought) ??
We are currently advertising as: “fresh local *parish name* blueberries”
I sometimes mention that they are organic, pesticide and herbicide free or handpicked.
We sell them by the pint and gallon and offer a 4 pint special (4 for price of 3).
I have price checked with local grocery stores and we are 2.5x more expensive per pint and $8 more per gallon ($17 for a frozen gallon in the store vs $25 for our fresh ones)
We did decent last year advertising via Facebook, flyers, word of mouth and road signs but we are looking to improve.
Not bashing any store, but these berries are night and day to store bought berries. Store bought ones have very little, if any flavor and sweetness compared to these.
—-Just curious as to why you would personally spend the extra $ for these vs store bought ones (if you would opt for local vs store bought) ??
This post was edited on 6/16/19 at 1:12 pm
20
Posted on 6/12/19 at 10:27 pm to SouthernImmigrant
Having picked about 4-5 gallons off the bush my previous back door neighbors had, I’d gladly pay more. It is way better than store berries. The new guy gardens back there but it is a hot mess.
Posted on 6/12/19 at 10:32 pm to SouthernImmigrant
No idea about the answer to your question. But I am curious how many acres of blueberries you grow. Doing that full on organic sounds like a nightmare.
We had a linen manufacturer approach us about growing organic cotton. I told them they must be freaking crazy.
We had a linen manufacturer approach us about growing organic cotton. I told them they must be freaking crazy.
Posted on 6/12/19 at 10:38 pm to SouthernImmigrant
quote:
Just curious as to why you would personally spend the extra $ for these vs store bought ones (if you would opt for local vs store bought) ??
Fresh, local produce is definitely worth more to me. Supports local growers and tastes better.
Btw, I see your location is Laffy...you grow in this area? Would love to put my hands on some fresh blueberries in this area.
Posted on 6/12/19 at 10:42 pm to highcotton2
We have just under 8 acres of mature bushes and another almost 10 acre plot of 1 and 2 year old bushes. Our mature bushes are just under 40 years old and take care of themselves.
My great grandfather paired up with an Ag-Engineer from LSU in the 70’s and devolved a strain of blueberries that thrives in a north louisiana climate, which is semingly rare as most gardeners will tell you “you can’t grow blueberries in Louisiana”
They don’t seem to attract much in the way of pest insects at all. We fight mosquitos, horse flys and knats and wear long sleeves, jeans and a mesh hat to avoid them.
I’m sure there are several factors as to why they do so well without any help but I am too uneducated on that subject to give any details.
The organic aspect is a huge deal to some people, I contemplated just laying some 7 dust around the bushes to fight the bugs we fight but didn’t want to void our rights to use the term organic, pesticide and herbicide free.
My great grandfather paired up with an Ag-Engineer from LSU in the 70’s and devolved a strain of blueberries that thrives in a north louisiana climate, which is semingly rare as most gardeners will tell you “you can’t grow blueberries in Louisiana”
They don’t seem to attract much in the way of pest insects at all. We fight mosquitos, horse flys and knats and wear long sleeves, jeans and a mesh hat to avoid them.
I’m sure there are several factors as to why they do so well without any help but I am too uneducated on that subject to give any details.
The organic aspect is a huge deal to some people, I contemplated just laying some 7 dust around the bushes to fight the bugs we fight but didn’t want to void our rights to use the term organic, pesticide and herbicide free.
Posted on 6/12/19 at 10:45 pm to SouthernImmigrant
"Product of USA"
Posted on 6/12/19 at 10:46 pm to Cowboyfan89
quote:
Btw, I see your location is Laffy..
Actually in the Monroe/West Monroe area now. I will be in BR the middle of next week however and could bring a good bit that would be no more than 12-36 hours off the bush.
I would love to offer them to fellow TD users but don’t want to get in trouble for advertising on here. Maybe Chicken can get a free half gallon ? Haha
Posted on 6/12/19 at 10:48 pm to SouthernImmigrant
Ill put my 3 yr old up as pound for pound blueberry eating champ of EBR Parish.
Im big on buying Louisiana seafood but I know the "Louisiana Grown" initiative is a bit corrupt/scam.
I think its very competive and tough but you have to get in with a produce distributor. Its insane here but Southside Produce is very popular in Baton Rouge, but they mostly sell same produce available in all local groceries. For some reason people here think shopping in an outdoor market means fresh/local and they spend higher price.
Have you tried setting up booths at local farmer markets? Have you tried partnering with anyone like a distillery or bakery?
Im big on buying Louisiana seafood but I know the "Louisiana Grown" initiative is a bit corrupt/scam.
I think its very competive and tough but you have to get in with a produce distributor. Its insane here but Southside Produce is very popular in Baton Rouge, but they mostly sell same produce available in all local groceries. For some reason people here think shopping in an outdoor market means fresh/local and they spend higher price.
Have you tried setting up booths at local farmer markets? Have you tried partnering with anyone like a distillery or bakery?
Posted on 6/12/19 at 10:48 pm to SouthernImmigrant
quote:
I will be in BR the middle of next week however and could bring a good bit that would be no more than 12-36 hours off the bush.
Damn, I'll be OOS for work next week.
Posted on 6/12/19 at 10:51 pm to SouthernImmigrant
quote:
I would love to offer them to fellow TD users but don’t want to get in trouble for advertising
Id be down for some nocolorberries
Posted on 6/12/19 at 10:58 pm to AutoYes_Clown
quote:
Have you tried setting up booths at local farmer markets? Have you tried partnering with anyone like a distillery or bakery?
I got into one local farmers market last year and did very well there, they are not doing that one this year and I’m bummed about that. But I will be giving another local farmers market a shot on Saturday. That’s partly why I made this thread, will be my first big opportunity of the season and wanted to make some new labels and wanted to key in on what words entice customers.
We have several local breweries, that’s a great idea. I didn’t even think about distilleries. Will do some research and try to get something rolling with that.
Posted on 6/12/19 at 11:02 pm to Cowboyfan89
quote:
Damn, I'll be OOS for work next week
We have 2 different kinds of bushes. One produces a bit earlier than the other and that’s what we’re pulling from right now.
Saying all that to say: we should have them for another 5-6 weeks. If you get up around this area or I get back down there I will definitely let you know.
Going with the brewery idea, I may contact as many brewery’s as possible, including SLa ones. Never know, may strike up a deal and be down there
Posted on 6/12/19 at 11:13 pm to SouthernImmigrant
Red Stick Farmers Market if you havent already.
Posted on 6/12/19 at 11:25 pm to SouthernImmigrant
I believe the demand is there, and I think your message is right. It's just of matter of getting your product in front of buyers. Social media is where you need to be. Start off with joining neighborhood/city/town/state facebook pages then expand into Twitter and Instagram and be very active. VERY. Lots of pictures. Going out to pick blueberries, share a pic. Washing off the berries, share a pic. You get the idea. No someone in the area that maintains a heavy media presence? Send them a couple pints as a sample and to share.
Posted on 6/13/19 at 2:26 am to SouthernImmigrant
Since much of the produce in the grocery store says "Product of Mexico", I won't touch the stuff. Organic isn't a big deal to me, or my friends, but "Product of the USA" is. Not to mention we also prefer to support local Louisiana growers before anyone else.
I'd be interested in some of your blueberries if Chicken will allow you to work out something with TD. I'm in Slidell.
I'd be interested in some of your blueberries if Chicken will allow you to work out something with TD. I'm in Slidell.
Posted on 6/13/19 at 7:33 am to SouthernImmigrant
Fresh & Local. Product of Louisiana. Doesn’t the the Louisiana Department of Agricultural & Forestry have a “Louisiana Grown” label or something similar you can apply for to label your product accordingly? Personally, I’m more attracted to purchasing products designated as“fresh & local” as opposed to “organic” but if you are 2.5 times higher in price organic maybe important b/c customers inherently know “organic” retails for significantly higher prices. Pushing the health benefits of eating blueberries in anyway you possibly can is always a good thing, particularly for targeting moms with young children.
Farmers Markets are good market outlets - I’ll be headed to one this morning in Baton Rouge to purchase locally grown produce.
May seem silly but could recipe cards, etc. help to show the versatility of blueberries at places you sell them? You are a small “local” producer so you clearly want to target those customers who seek fresh and local products but at the same time make it as convenient as possible for those customers to gain access to your product.
Any possibly of selling some to higher end restaurants for speciality desserts they could place on their menus as a seasonal item?
Farmers Markets are good market outlets - I’ll be headed to one this morning in Baton Rouge to purchase locally grown produce.
May seem silly but could recipe cards, etc. help to show the versatility of blueberries at places you sell them? You are a small “local” producer so you clearly want to target those customers who seek fresh and local products but at the same time make it as convenient as possible for those customers to gain access to your product.
Any possibly of selling some to higher end restaurants for speciality desserts they could place on their menus as a seasonal item?
This post was edited on 6/13/19 at 7:48 am
Posted on 6/13/19 at 7:46 am to SouthernImmigrant
Honest take: I have a hard time picking up blueberries that are labeled anything other than Driscoll's because of their consistency--very few smushed berries. My kids eat 5 pints a week.
I'd love to buy your local berries. Where can my wife find them? she only likes to shop grocery stores and wal mart.
I'd love to buy your local berries. Where can my wife find them? she only likes to shop grocery stores and wal mart.
Posted on 6/13/19 at 7:47 am to SouthernImmigrant
quote:
My great grandfather paired up with an Ag-Engineer from LSU in the 70’s
Just curious, do you remember the name of the Ag Engineer? I was there in Ag Engineering in the 70's.
Posted on 6/13/19 at 8:05 am to SouthernImmigrant
"It tastes better"
You already have all the super hippies with the "organic" and "local" pitch. You'll get the fatties and cheapies with "tastes better."
We try to buy as much local fruit as possible when it's in season.
You already have all the super hippies with the "organic" and "local" pitch. You'll get the fatties and cheapies with "tastes better."
We try to buy as much local fruit as possible when it's in season.
This post was edited on 6/13/19 at 8:09 am
Posted on 6/13/19 at 8:33 am to SouthernImmigrant
Cheaper than the store. Bam thank you. There’s your slogan.
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