SSAWG Info Exchange Notes: Online Markets

On-Line Farmers Markets A round-table discussion SSAWG 2012 Conference January 2012

Attendees• Nearly half were current online market managers• Nearly half were wanting to start an online market• Others curious about what online markets are

How is it organized?• Private (almost half)• Nonproﬁts (almost half)• Government-run• Cooperatives

What software?• locallygrown.net (most present)• Oklahoma Food Co-op system (a dozen or so nationwide)• Farmigo (CSA management, mostly)• Local food marketplace (one present, some nationwide)• Csaware (CSA management)• Smallfarmcentral (farm stand, CSA management)• Local harvest (shippable farm stand, non-perishable)

Getting off the ground• Same challenges as for traditional markets• Start small• Maybe go hand in hand with a traditional market• Clearly decide governance

Why online?• Flexibility in ordering• Easy for small growers• Extending the season• Inventory control• More efﬁcient for growers

Rules and regulations• EBT acceptance process difﬁcult• Regulators dont understand online markets• Maintaining clear direct sales important• Verifying needed licenses for eggs, meat, etc,

Tips for running them• Get committed volunteers• Credit card prepayment is "a nightmare"• squareup.com makes in-person credit card payments a breeze• Have quality control rules, and dont be afraid to use them.• Automate as much as possible

SSAWG Info Exchange Notes: Online Markets

by Eric Wagoner

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