My Thoughts on Local Food Marketing ( Production )


Blaine (and Leona) Staples
The Jungle Farm R.R. #3, Innisfail AB T4G 1T8
www.thejunglefarm.com

Adapted from a presentation to the
Local Foods Production Session,
Clean Tech Workshop, Lacombe
Sept. 17, 2010

My Situation

  • Came back to farm in 1996
  • Joined Innisfail Growers
  • Crops we grow
  • Cooperative formed
  • Growth steady 30% per year

 

It is hard to do it all

  • Marketing is a full time job
  • Growing is a full time job
  • How do you do it all?

 

Making it work

  • Hire labor and expertise
    • This is very high risk
    • May need to start small
  • Work together
    • Need a formal structure
    • Great communication
    • Very well established rules and controls

 

Marketing IS Production

  • Customers pay for value
  • Value can be perceived as many things
    • Low price
    • High quality
    • Food Safe
    • Relationship with grower

 

Ways to Achieve Value

  • Specialization – fewer crops
  • Larger scale
  • Sell retail
  • Be honest
  • Open your farm to the public
  • Tell your story

 

Things We Need to Develop A Local Food Supply

  • Production Information
  • Extension or Consultant Personnel
  • Access to Irrigation
  • Marketing mechanism to get food to restaurants etc. (wholesale market, auction )
  • Government Support with buyers

 

Cautions

  • Do not plant anything without a complete plan for production and marketing.
    Start with a size you have the skill to manage and can handle financially
    Have a passion for what you are doing!