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  • From: KAKerby AT aol.com
  • To: market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [Market-farming] Building a cult following
  • Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2011 19:00:38 -0400 (EDT)

I have to admit, I chuckled when I read the below statement.  But on a serious note, I've sorta been thinking along these lines lately.  We're thinking to build a farm stand this winter to be open for service next year.  Our farm is bordered by a well-traveled county maintained road.  That road easily meets the minimum traffic volume and max speeds criteria defined by various "what it takes for farm stands to succeed" data.  But I fear folks would blaze right by us on their way to get groceries at Costco.  My notion was to put up an espresso stand and offer value-added breakfast items first, to create a strong reason for folks to stop during their morning commute and get on their "driving radar".  Then add more common farm stand materials which would eventually form the bulk of sales.  I've already checked the rules-n-regs on this and those seem workable.  But I wondered if creating a "draw" of caffeine and donuts might create my own little cult following during morning rush hour, which then would be a way to sell farm produce to that same crowd during evening rush hour (thus saving them the trip to the grocery store).  Sort of feels traitorous to sell addictive materials first in order to sell healthy materials second (as I drink my black tea while writing this).  But roping the customers as they drive by, dragging them inside and forcing them to buy something doesn't do much to build good customer relations.
 
I'd be curious what other folks have done to break into those traffic patterns and start to bring customers in.
Kathryn Kerby
frogchorusfarm.com
Snohomish, WA
 
In a message dated 10/14/2011 3:44:23 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, jaysleichter AT yahoo.com writes:
Others were charging as much as $4/lb, but they have a cult following who don’t question anything.


  • [Market-farming] Building a cult following, KAKerby, 10/14/2011

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