COVID-19 convinced farmers to sell directly to consumers, something they say they ll keep doing | Business nny360.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nny360.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
“We had a great year, probably our best year ever,” says one.
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A customer checks out produce at a farmers market. Since the pandemic, farmers in Ohio are looking for new ways to sell their meat and produce. (Sarah Espedido/Orlando Sentinel/TNS)
COLUMBUS, Ohio County Line Meats lost a large portion of its customer base when Ohio temporarily shuttered most restaurants in mid-March last year. Then it faced lingering uncertainty as the hospitality industry navigated pandemic-related restrictions and patrons stayed home.
The Ashville farm sold most of its beef to restaurants prior to the pandemic. When business plummeted, owner Mike Videkovich adopted a new strategy: selling beef directly to consumers.
Ohio farmers marketing directly to consumers more than ever dispatch.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dispatch.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Pierre, SD, USA / DRGNews
Feb 4, 2021 8:52 AM
The South Dakota Specialty Producers Association has announced a new educational series for local food producers, Farmers Markets managers and vendors, and others interested in selling direct to consumers.
“We are hosting training for producers to get together over the winter and plan for the summer 2021 season,” Kathleen Rykhus, SDSPA Local Foods System Coordinator said.
The classes will be live, interactive meetings with industry experts delivered virtually, on topics including production, food regulations, marketing, and bringing your product idea from recipe to reality.
“Several Farmers Market managers mentioned the need for more vendors and vendor education as being a priority to them,” Rykhus said. “Farmers Markets in South Dakota are looking for vendors and they want to set new vendors up for success.”