I have a direct connection via my brother's farm, to delicious whole
almonds. I am trying to start a little business where I could sell
some on a regular basis to businesses or direct to customers. I need
to know which businesses would be willing to buy my product. Although
the price is reasonable, it is well above the wholesale price which
the large companies that are buying vast tonnage use. I'm only selling
a pick-up load and I don't have any other product to go with the
almonds. These are non-organic. I'm in the Bay Area.

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 25 Oct 2006 20:03 PDT

This sounds like a farmer's market type of offering, to me, where
consumers are often willing to pay a premium for knowing that a
product was grown locally on a small farm.

That would mean either having a booth yourself at a market, or working
out a deal with another merchant to carry your product.

Does that sound like a viable option?

pafalafa-ga

Hello, bastardo-ga!

  Why not try to sell your almonds at some of the Farmer's Markets
around the San Francisco area? It doesn't look like either of the two
main associations have requirements for organic certification, and you
might be able to set up your own stand or include them with another
vendor's products.

 Another idea would be to contact some of the smaller health food
stores that might be open to offering items from local growers.



Pacific Coast Farmer Markets' Association
==========================================
http://www.pcfma.com/producers.php

"The Pacific Coast Farmers' Market Association is a non-profit
corporation dedicated to establishing and maintaining successful
Certified Farmers' Markets around the Greater San Francisco Bay Area.

"Our mission is to establish and operate community-supported certified
farmers' markets and other direct marketing outlets that provide:
viable economic opportunities for California farmers and food
producers, local access to farm fresh products, support for local
businesses and community organizations, and education concerning food,
nutrition and the sustainability of California agriculture.

"These markets give farmers and other agricultural producers direct
access to consumers; give consumers access to fresh, locally grown
produce; and serve as sites for community gatherings.
http://www.pcfma.com/about.html
 
 Market locations
 http://www.pcfma.com/markets.php

 Selling in PCFMA's Certified Farmers' Markets
 http://www.pcfma.com/resources.html



California's Farmer's Market Association
=========================================

"California Farmers' Markets are your source for field-ripened fresh
fruits and vegetables, freshly baked breads and pastries, flowers,
gourmet appetizers and gifts, fresh fish, nuts, mushrooms, and much,
much more! Serving the San Francisco Bay Area including Bayfair,
Blossom Hill, Daly City, Moraga, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, San Jose,
Oakland, Saratoga, San Francisco and San Francisco Marina."
http://www.cafarmersmkts.com/index.html

 RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR CERTIFIED FARMERS? MARKETS
 http://www.cafarmersmkts.com/cfmarulesregs.pdf



Local Health Food Stores
=========================

 While many of the stores in the area seem to be part of larger health
food chains, a few potential options caught my eye. These seem to be
stores which represent local growers, to some degree.


Rainbow Grocery appears to be quite unique and might be open to
offering fresh almonds from a local farm. While they emphasize organic
foods, they also make mention of "locally produced foods" so they
might be willing to offer your almonds in smaller packages.

Rainbow Grocery
http://www.rainbowgrocery.org/

"Despite these challenges there are enough people who are interested
in organically grown and locally produced foods to keep our doors
open. We continue to stay true to our mission and hope to inspire
others in the realms of good food and cooperative living."
http://www.rainbowgrocery.org/aboutus/history2.html


==

 Another locally-owned natural foods market that might be interested is the
Berkeley Bowl Marketplace.
http://www.berkeleybowl.com/pages/about.html 


==


 The Real Food Company leans toward organic foods, but it also might
be a possibility.

Real Food Company
http://www.realfoodco.com/retailer/store_templates/shell_id_1.asp?storeID=85CF1454F27047F58B04F3FC719A8669

"Our products must meet the generally accepted requirements of the
Natural Foods Industry, namely that they will be free of artificial
additives, preservatives and colors; that they are minimally processed
and composed of ingredients which are likewise free of artificial
additives, preservatives or adulteration. Whenever possible, we
support organic and sustainable agriculture, and environmentally
sensitive consumerism. We see ourselves as a link between the
considerate production of natural food products and the growing
numbers of our neighbors who are seeking to participate in supporting
that process.
http://www.realfoodco.com/retailer/store_templates/ret_about_us.asp?storeID=85CF1454F27047F58B04F3FC719A8669

==

 I wouldn't hesitate to contact some of the smaller health food stores
in the area - the type that sell a few bulk items in smaller packages
along with a small selection of vitamins, bath products, etc. They are
often locally-owned, neighborhood stores that serve a niche of
"regular" customers who don't like going to the larger, grocery-type
health food stores. These customers might be quite happy to purchase
smaller bags of locally-grown almonds at a higher price.

==


I cannot be sure that these options will work for you, but they seem
to be your best bet!


Good luck!


umiat


Search Strategy

San francisco farmer's markets
health food stores san francisco

---

Clarification of Answer by umiat-ga on 25 Oct 2006 22:26 PDT

One other thought - would you consider bagging the almonds and selling
them on eBay?

Others are doing it! See this example!
http://stores.ebay.com/Almonds-From-California

---

Request for Answer Clarification by bastardo-ga on 29 Oct 2006 12:57 PST

Selling the almonds at a Farmer's Market is definitely a possibility,
but what really intrigues me is selling the almonds via E-Bay. Thanks
for your input.

---

Clarification of Answer by umiat-ga on 29 Oct 2006 14:59 PST

Glad I could help! I will be on the look-out for "extra fresh and
delicious almonds from California" on eBay! Good luck and thank you
for the nice rating and tip!

Thank you for your input. All ideas and links were helpful, but E-Bay
was the one outlet I hadn't thought of. Thanks again.