Farmers’ markets may offer great promotion and consumer connection opportunities

As reported by this blog, farmers’ markets can be an excellent way to introduce new custom labels on products or even promote one that is only available for a limited time. They’re also an exceptional way for small producers to connect with consumers.

This connection may get enhanced as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released a database of all the registered farmers’ markets across the country. This database is available to consumers for free online, where they can search by area.

In addition to providing a convenience for consumers to connect with producers, the USDA also found that there was a 9 percent increase in farmers’ markets nationwide between this year and last. There are currently 7,864 markets across the country.

“Farmers markets are a critical ingredient to our nation’s food system,” said Kathleen Merrigan, agriculture deputy secretary at the USDA. “These outlets provide benefits not only to the farmers looking for important income opportunities, but also the communities looking for fresh, healthy foods. The directory is an online tool that helps connect farmers and consumers, communities and businesses around the country.”

As farmers’ markets can be incredibly busy and saturated with other producers, it may benefit businesses to create special lines of products to be promoted or sold only at farmers’ markets.

For example, a winery may create special line that is only sold at farmers’ markets. The success of the product can be enhanced if companies also invest in a color label printer that can produce the custom labels needed to properly promote these special product offers.