Small Bites: Retailer Tips & B2B Sharing

Small Bites: Savor the Flavors

"Oven-Season Has Officially Begun!

Yup. It's time. Customers are ready to bake, roast, braise.

It's no secret retailers have opportunities to drive sales and profits through tactical buying and merchandising to meet consumers' seasonal dietary changes.

Balancing purchases from broad-liners with local direct-to-store deliveries provides opportunities to support seasonally appropriate displays. For instance, Vermont farmers grow extensive varieties of beautiful winter squash. You can actively support local producers with short-season consumer-facing, highly desirable and colorful squashes.

Teaching staff about the types and methods of cooking is a must for optimal customer engagement and to drive sales. Our friends at Cedar Circle Farm in Thetford not only grow fabulous varieties- they share their handling and cooking tips! Another useful tool is the recipe tab at Harvest of the Month - free services with recipes and cultural information to train your staff for optimal service.

Oct 29 & 30th Retail Seminar to Drive Sales

Norwich, VT

An opportunity not to miss: nationally respected consultants Mark Mulcahy & James Morrell share their understanding of the changing retail landscape and craft hands-on activities along with farm & warehouse tours. Be inspired to take your store to the next level.

Concerned about covering costs?

Contact me about our scholarships. Thanks to Upper Valley Produce for co-sponsoring with VT Agency of Ag and Farm to Plate

Retail Seminar: REGISTER NOW

Morning Star Farms , premium Vermont grown beans are distributed through Green Mountain Farm Direct. Ask Amrita about distribution of the beans at the Retail Seminar Oct 29t h in Norwich, where she will giving us insights on localized-distribution.

Woodstock Farmers Market has opened a second store. Located on the Waterbury-Stowe Road, as always it is an inspiration for making great use of limited space, their focus on local & regional suppliers, and for top notch sampling & signage. Stop by and check them out!

October is National Food Cooperative Month!

A shout out to all the fabulous food coops in Vermont- both large and small.

Cumulatively they engage in high rates of local food purchases, drive sales with excellent marketing and directly giving back to their communities. Buffalo Mountain Coop in Hardwick newsletter informs customers on sales and store highlights.

The Rutland Coop has a new GM. Farm to Plate and the greater community welcomes TJ, returning to Vermont to raise his family and re-tool the Coop with buying & merchandising acumen based on his lengthy stint as a senior member of Whole Foods.

Several coops are signed up for both the Producer Buyer Forum Oct 16 and the retailer seminar Oct 29 & 30. Join them for great B2B sharing.