The Buyer's Corner | MarketReady Producer Training Program

Tips & Tricks for Selling to Grocery Stores

Below are two blog posts written by our friends at the University of Tennessee. They address selling to a grocery store and selling to chain stores vs. an independent store. Check them out via the links below.

1. Selling to Grocery as a Producer-Processor Dairy Farm: The Basics

2. Selling to Grocery as a Producer-Processor Dairy Farm: Chain Stores vs. Individual or Independent Stores

Below, is a great resource from our friends at Penn State. This recorded Zoom webinar addresses marketing value-added dairy products to grocery stores. Watch it via the link below.

1. Marketing Value-Added Dairy Foods to Grocery Stores: Webinar

Below, is another great resource. Want to learn more about what working with Houchens Food Group looks like? Check out this video to hear from John Mitchell, Houchens Food Group’s dairy buyer.

Houchens Food Group - Buyer Voices

Want to learn more about what working with Howards Harvest Market looks like? Check out this video to learn more and hear from Derek Howard of Howards Harvest!

Howard's Harvest Market - Buyer Voices

Wanting to look towards ways to help with areas that are facing food access issues? The Delafield Co-Op Market is addressing those needs and helping to fight food access and insecurity. Check out this video to learn more!

Delafield Co-Op Market - Buyer Voices

Tips & Tricks for Selling to Dining Services

UK Dining is there to take care of students throughout the semester to provide healthy and fresh food options. One of their main goals is sustainability and purchasing local products from Kentucky producers helps them achieve that goal. Interested in learning more about UK Dining and their goals towards purchasing products from Kentucky producers? Click here!

Interested in getting your products in a business cafeteria? Check out this video to hear from Logan Aluminum, located in Logan County Kentucky, to hear about working with them to get your product in their cafeteria. Check out this video to learn more!

Logan Aluminum - Buyer Voices

Introduction to Value Added Dairy

Value Added Dairy Marketing video with Sarah Cornelisse from Penn State.

Quotes from those who know!

Critchfield Meats & Family Market

Critchfield Meats and Family Market are in the heart of Lexington, Kentucky. Serving the community since 1969, they know a lot about the value of local. Starting as an old-fashioned butcher shop and then transitioning to a full-service grocery store, Critchfield has it all. “Butch” to many of the customers started Critchfield on the values of putting the customer needs first and how to select and cut the finest meats. With a wall full of local products and many scattered throughout the store, you can’t go to Critchfield and not see the huge impact they have on our local producers. Critchfield Meats and Family Market are located at 398 Southland Drive Lexington, KY 40503.

Click on the image to hear Critchfield's local marketing tips!

Locals food hub & pizza pub

Locals Food Hub & Pizza Pub is located in Frankfort, Kentucky, and promotes 100% use of local Kentucky products! Having a small grocery store and restaurant located in their shop makes them the go-to place for a tasty meal and meaningful shopping experience. Anything you can buy at Locals is produced in Kentucky and helps support producers across the state as well as the local economy. Locals Food Hub & Pizza Pub has a mission with three main goals:

1. To increase community access to locally produced, nutrient-rich, delicious food.

2. To increase the access of local farmers to consistent and viable local markets.

3. To create a gathering space where our community & visitors can come together around local food. Locals Food Hub & Pizza Pub is located at 863 Wilkinson Blvd Frankfort, KY 40601.

This is a fact sheet with tips for working with Rainbow Blossom.

Rainbow Blossom Natural Food Markets

Rainbow Blossom, a Louisville-based natural food market, actively supports local businesses and the community. The store is committed to promoting local products by offering a wide range of goods from Kentucky-based farms and artisans. If you’re interested in learning more about working with Rainbow Blossom, check out this fact sheet to hear from the source!

Howard's Harvest Market

Howard’s Harvest in Western Kentucky is a roadside market that specializes in all things local! Located in Scottsville, Kentucky Howards Harvest Market has a plethora of Kentucky Proud products. From flowers and plants to cheese and ice cream you can find so many local products here! Check out this FAQ sheet on some tips Derek Howard shared when working with Howards Harvest Market.

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