Start a Local Produce Business

If you love gardening and consistently have good crops, consider starting a local produce business. More and more people are seeking local fresh produce instead of supermarket or processed foods. Its the perfect time to make some cash from your hobby. Research Will Your Community Support a Produce Business? The first step to starting a local produce business is to make sure theres a market for it in your community. Do you have a farmers market? Would it make sense to set up a roadside stand? Does your community already have a few roadside stands? If so, what do they sell? Can you sell something different or better than them? Take some time to research your market and your competition. Also explore what it would cost you to grow, harvest and sell your produce. How much could you sell it for? This will help you estimate profits and make good business decisions. Getting Started What Do You Need? Ideally, once youve done your research, youll create a business plan. This plan will include what youre going to grow and how youre going to sell it. It will also include how youre going to market your produce business. Youll also want to make sure you have the necessary land and tools to grow and harvest your produce. And youll want to make sure you have the equipment to sell it as well. For example, if youre selling at a Farmers Market then youll need: * A truck for hauling food and equipment * Tent * Table * Signage * Packaging for the food * Cashbox/credit card reader While you dont need a formal education or training to start a local produce business, you do need a plan. You need to know what you can sell, how much you can sell it for and how youre going to sell it. Marketing Your Produce Business Marketing your produce business will likely involve a couple of tactics. Youll have signage at your roadside stand and booths. Also look into posting flyers around town and advertising in natural food newsletters. Consider creating a website for your business. Offer an online newsletter and special coupons or promotions. Use the internet to drive traffic to your produce business. The Legalities There are a few legal items youll want to take the time to plan. In your business plan youll want to cover how youre going to manage if there are bad crops. You can get insurance to cover that risk. You will also need a system to collect payment and record income and taxes. Finally, consider how youre going to handle customer service issues. Starting a fresh produce business is a dream come true for many. They enjoy growing and providing people with the best that nature can provide. If this is your dream, take the time to plan it carefully first. Know your market and what it can support and then grow it. To your success!