Horticulture Principles and Practices

with pricing. When selling by volume, it is advantageous to provide containers to
customers, even though some will find a way to overfill a container.
The checkout station should be readily visible to customers and provide some
storage space since some customers may make several trips to the field. It may help to
have chairs and tables for weary customers to rest. For a large operation, farm assistants
should be available to assist customers. The disadvantages of pick-your-own include
liability for accidents assumed by the producer, and the need to work long hours during
harvesting season. Inclement weather would prevent an open field sale from taking place.
Roadside Sale
Heavy traffic may create congestion and discourage some potential customers from stopping
to buy items. Weekends (when people are not hurrying to or from the workplace)
may attract more customers. Furthermore, locating the operation along roads with low
or moderate speed limits (35–50 mph) will be safer for drivers to pull over and will attract
more customers. The produce should be attractively displaced to draw customers. Sales
increase when a diversity of products are offered for sale. Prepackaging of produce
diminishes from the fresh-farm image of roadside marketing.
Farmers’ Market
Farmers’ markets are owned by a grower organization, community development
groups, or a state or local government. The partners in the operation share operating
costs (insurance, advertising, facilities, etc.). Consumers associate farmers’ markets
with lower prices, fresh produce, and high-quality produce. Unlike pick-your-own, the
business hours of farmers’ markets are set by the coordinator or organizer. The produce
should be competitively priced since there may be other producers selling the same
produce.
27.9.2 NONDIRECT MARKETING
In nondirect marketing, the producer reaches the consumer through a third party that may
include terminal market firms, wholesalers, brokers, processors, cooperatives, private
packing companies, and buyers for retail outlets.
Terminal Market Firms
Terminal market firms purchase produce for chain stores or large wholesalers. They are
usually interested in doing business with producers who can supply large volumes of
consistently high-quality produce. However, they have specific stipulations concerning
product quality, quantity, and packing. Furthermore, because prices are based on current
retail prices, the prices they pay for produce are variable. Producers are also responsible
for delivering produce to the designated terminal market.
Brokers
Brokers are agents, individuals, or firms that negotiate sales contracts between producers
(sellers) and buyers, without taking physical custody of the produce. The producer
retains responsibility for most of the marketing functions (grading, handling, packing).
The broker (selling or buying) locates the produce of desired quality and quantity at a
price acceptable to both seller and buyer and arranges the appropriate contract. Though
brokers may be involved in invoicing and collecting payments, they are not responsible
for payment if the buyer defaults on the contract.
Processors
Processors add value to fresh produce. They often purchase large amounts of produce.
They contract some of their needs to growers. The producer has the advantage of an
assured sale of large quantities of produce. Often, the processor provides some technical
27.9 Marketing Alternatives 733