Direct to consumer marketing such as on-farm sales, farmers markets, community supported agriculture, U-picks and farm tours can be a great way to generate customers and get people to share their experience about your business through word of mouth. But how do you get your name out there for folks to find you in the first place?
Advertising is an important part of any small to mid-size farm business marketing strategy, but it can be costly, both in dollars and time. Social media, for example, is an obvious tool for drumming up business but there are also a number of local, state and federal resources that can help connect consumers to your farm. These websites allow you to list your farm business on an easy to use platform to connect consumers with you.
- SWFL Fresh (Collier, Lee, Hendry, Glades, Charlotte, Sarasota Counties): www.swflfresh.com
- EatlocalLee (Lee County): https://www.eatlocallee.org/
- Transition Sarasota Local Guide (Sarasota County): https://www.transitionsrq.org/eat-local-guide
- FDACS Farm to You: https://www.fdacs.gov/Agriculture-Industry/Florida-Farm-To-You
- FDACS U-Pick Farm Locator: https://www.fdacs.gov/Consumer-Resources/Buy-Fresh-From-Florida/U-Pick-Farms
- FDACS Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs) Locator: https://www.fdacs.gov/Consumer-Resources/Buy-Fresh-From-Florida/Community-Supported-Agriculture-CSAs
- FDACS Tropical Fruit Growers, Suppliers, Distributors, Shippers in Florida: https://www.fdacs.gov/Consumer-Resources/Buy-Fresh-From-Florida/Tropical-Fruit
- FDACS Wineries & Vineyards: https://www.fdacs.gov/Consumer-Resources/Buy-Fresh-From-Florida/Wineries-and-Vineyards
- FDACS Seafood Retail Markets: https://www.fdacs.gov/Consumer-Resources/Buy-Fresh-From-Florida/Seafood-Retail-Markets
- FDACS Florida Alligator Meat, Skins and Hides: https://www.fdacs.gov/Consumer-Resources/Buy-Fresh-From-Florida/Florida-Alligator-Meat-Skins-and-Hides
- Visit Florida Agritourism Operations: https://visitfloridafarms.com/
- Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association Florida farms selling directly to consumers: https://ffva.com/consumersales
- Florida Market Maker: https://fl.foodmarketmaker.com/
- Florida Farm Bureau Florida Farms/Stands Selling Direct to Consumers list: https://www.floridafarmbureau.org/florida-farms-selling-direct-to-consumers/
- Pick Your Own: https://www.pickyourown.org/
- Local Harvest: https://www.localharvest.org
- USDA Local Food Directories: On-Farm Market Directory: https://www.ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/onfarm
- USDA Local Food Directories: Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Directory: https://www.ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/csas
- USDA Local Food Directories: Food Hub Directory: https://www.ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/foodhubs
- Eat Wild: http://www.eatwild.com/products/florida.html