Need help pricing greens for sale

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I live in lower New York State and have recently found a small cafe that would be interested in buying organic mesclun mix, organic lettuce, and organic spinach from me, my problem is that I am unsure what to charge for them. I will also be selling in a farmers market this spring and I was wondering if the pricing should be different for that and if so, any suggestions?

-- Bob Fade (fadefarm@aol.com), March 21, 2002

Answers

Bob, What I usually do is price my organic produce about 10% higher than what the grocery stores charge for their conventionally raised produce. My customers have been very happy with this. The two things I do charge more for are radishes and scallions. I sell lots of both at $.75 a bunch. (10 or 12 radishes and 8 scallions to a bunch.)

-- Murray in ME (lkdmfarm@megalink.net), March 21, 2002.

For the farmers market, I'd go there with nothing to sell the first time and scope out the prices of the competitors and go from there.

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), March 21, 2002.

Our Kroger supermarket charges 20-50 % more for organically grown.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), March 21, 2002.

well since you would be selling wholesale not retail to the resturant. i would suggest that you look up wholesale produce suppliers in the phone book and ask the current price per pound of your crops.[they cange weekly-ish] or if you are friends w/ a resturanter ask what they are paying. grocery stores mark up 33-40% from their retail cost, tho some of my small grocers go for 100% on my sepecialty crops!

yes your retail & wholesale prices should differ.i agree w/ mr.bc, look first then price!

ask the farmer mrk. organizers for last years prices,[good ones keep track.] the frms. market normally expects you to be there every time & to 'play nice' by not undercutting your fellow growers.

keep a box of 3x5 cards & sharpie marker in your glove compartment. so you can raise or lower your prices instantly. i would also reccomend that you have a 'sale' in the last hour of the market so you don't have to repack those veggies! [i hated chalk- boards,the price on bright coloured cards directly on the item was very popular w/ the shoppers too.] good luck!

-- bj pepper in C. MS. (pepper.pepper@excite.com), March 21, 2002.


I sell my asparagus to a local restaurant and the only break in price I charge them, versus selling to individuals, is in the amount they purchase. If they buy 20 lbs. or more at a crack, I cut the price by 25 cents per lb. They're happy with that, just so I'm undercutting the local grocery store a bit.

-- bruce (niobrara55@hotmail.com), March 21, 2002.


3 years ago we sold 4 oz washed bags of mixed exotic salad greens for $1 wholesale and $2 retail. Sold them to a health food store and friends. Trick is to have a great combination of varieties and throw out all but the primo leaves. If the product wouldn't sell while still fresh we would exchange them for a fresh pack. Give away free samples. Most people think lettuce is just lettuce. We recommended trying our salads without dressing so as to not cover up all the interesting flavors. Arugula (rocket) is my favorite. jz

-- jz (oz49us@yahoo.com), March 22, 2002.

I am currently paying $5 a pound for an excellent organic salad mix but that is bagged up in 1/3 and 2/3 pound bags. I think that $4 - $4.50 a pound would be appropriate for bulk sales.

Spinach and head lettuces are going for about $1.25 per head/bunch wholesale.

Contact me if you have any other questions. Amy

-- Amy Richards (amysgarden2@earthlink.net), March 22, 2002.


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