Numbered Publications: CCD-MP
CCD-MP-17: Grower Cooperatives (Co-ops)
Matthew Ernst, Tim Woods | Apr. 25, 2019 (Minor Revision)
ooperatives have historically been utilized to market wholesale quantities of produce in Kentucky. In the early 2000s, as many as four grower co-ops in Kentucky were actively marketing tomatoes, melons, sweet corn, cabbage, bell peppers, pumpkins and other crops to wholesale buyers. By 2006, however, produce marketing by grower co-ops had largely disappeared from Kentucky's produce industry, with only one co-op still operating as growers found other ways to market produce. The involvement of co-ops in marketing produce from Kentucky has since been limited. Cooperatives remain a potential form of business organization for specialty crop growers located in a similar geographic area. Producers interested in exploring the cooperative business structure can investigate resources available from the Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (KCARD), which is recognized by USDA Rural Development as a cooperative development center.
CCD-MP-9: Marketing Organic Produce
Matthew Ernst, Tim Woods | Oct. 26, 2018 (Minor Revision)
This fact sheet summarizes concerns for Kentucky produce growers that are interested in beginning or expanding the marketing of organic produce. It is intended only as a starting point; further information will be found through various university and government resources and by consulting with experienced growers of organic produce.
CCD-MP-24: Selected Internet Resources for Herb Marketing
Matthew Ernst | Sep. 9, 2018 (New)
This list of internet resources has been selected for the benefit of Kentucky commercial producers wanting to learn more about marketing herbs. The broad definition for herbs (herbaceous plants valued for their flavor, scent or medicinal properties) was used in gathering this information. These online resources are provided strictly for informative purposes only; the list does not constitute endorsement of herbal uses, products, businesses or cultural recommendations for herb production. Producers should always research herb production, uses and markets on their own before beginning production.
CCD-MP-4: Roadside Farm Markets
Matthew Ernst, Tim Woods | Feb. 23, 2018 (Minor Revision)
A roadside farm market is sometimes distinguished from a roadside stand by location and hours. The term "roadside farm market" can refer to those markets located in permanent facilities at the farm or food manufacturing location; they are typically open most of the year. Roadside stand, by contrast, is a more general term referring to those markets that may be located off the farm and are seasonal in operation.
CCD-MP-20: Marketing Fresh Produce to Food Retailers (Grocery Stores)
Matthew Ernst, Tim Woods | Feb. 1, 2018 (Minor Revision)
The food retail industry saw a renaissance of interest in local and regional sourcing of fresh fruits and vegetables during the 2000s. This interest came within an industry characterized by heavy investment in fewer and larger centralized distribution centers. Although the distribution center model remains prominent within the food retail industry, some retailers have created flexibility within their distribution models to answer consumer demand for local produce. Large retailers are also finding transportation and distribution cost savings by sourcing fresh produce items from new or expanding producers. Smaller chains and local grocers remain potential markets for fresh produce growers expanding to wholesale volumes. Producers of value-added produce products may also find local groceries a possible market for their product.
CCD-MP-21: Marketing Fresh Produce to Restaurants
Matthew Ernst, Tim Woods | Jan. 25, 2018 (Minor Revision)
Sourcing and serving fresh produce from local farms remains a trend in the U.S. foodservice industry. The practice of sourcing locally grown fresh produce, first featured by niche and high-end restaurants, moved into mainstream foodservice distribution channels in the early 2000s. A focus on local food appears to be persisting into the 2020s. The National Restaurant Association's 2018 Culinary Forecast, based on surveys of nearly 700 chefs, identified hyper-local sourcing as the top restaurant concept trend, with local produce also among the Top 10 concept trends.
CCD-MP-11: MarketReady Producer Training Program
Matthew Ernst, Miranda Hileman | Dec. 15, 2017 (Minor Revision)
The MarketReady Producer Training Program instructs producers in the key business functions that small farmers and ranchers must manage as they seek to develop supplier relationships with restaurants, grocers, wholesalers, and foodservice buyers, including schools. While significant opportunity exists to build on the demand for
local products in local markets, many farmers are hesitant or unprepared to meet the transactional requirements expected by these buyers to manage their own food safety, insurance, product quality, and traceability risks. MarketReady addresses these issues. After training, producers will be prepared for business transactions when selling a
variety of products including dairy, fruits, meats and vegetables.
CCD-MP-23: Regional Food Hubs
Matthew Ernst | Jun. 19, 2017 (Minor Revision)
The term "regional food hub" has been devised by the USDA to refer to facilities that aid farmers in getting locally produced products to consumer markets.
CCD-MP-1: Community Supported Agriculture
Matthew Ernst | May. 25, 2017 (Major Revision)
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)is relatively new to the United States, beginning in Massachusetts in 1986 and growing to 60 CSA farms in the U.S. in 1990. The CSA structure grew significantly in popularity among both producers and consumers during the 2000s; by 2009, as many as 6,000 farms were operating a CSA. The 2015 USDA Local Food Marketing Practices Survey reported 7,398 farms nationally selling by CSA for a sales value of $226 million. There were nearly 60 CSAs listed for Kentucky, in 2016, in the Kentucky Department of Agriculture CSA directory. The CSA marketing channel continues to increase in popularity, moving to new demographics besides the original core affluent urban consumer.
CCD-MP-19: Marketing Crops to Schools and Institutions: An Overview
Matthew Ernst | Oct. 31, 2016 (Minor Revision)
Schools and institutions have long been identified as potential markets for local and regional food crops. These markets have both generated greater interest and purchases during the past 20 years due to consumer interest, food and health policy initiatives, and changes in school and institutional purchasing and procurement systems.
