For consumers, seasonal produce means eating certain fruits and vegetables during festivities and periods in time for the novelty of it. But there are also many benefits to buying produce seasonally that can be marketed to consumers.
For one, seasonal produce is typically fresher and tastier than out-of-season produce that’s imported and shipped from greater distances. They’re also much more environmentally friendly, as there’s less energy consumed to transport these products.
Using a produce software like Silo can be a good option to help businesses manage sales, which is especially vital during the busy months of the year when certain products are in season.
Today’s article will cover some tips to help fresh produce businesses promote seasonal produce to increase sales.
Table of Contents
1. Focus on local customers
Focusing on local customers is important for promoting seasonal produce, as local consumers tend to be more loyal compared to those who may feel personally disconnected from your business.
Local consumers are also more likely to be intimately familiar with what you offer, which not only increases the likelihood that they’ll buy from you on a regular basis, but also increases the chance that if they’re satisfied with the products you offer, they’ll spread the word to their friends and family, who are also within your business’ proximity.
Moreover, promoting seasonal produce to local customers can help you build a relationship with the community, which ensures community support, increasing and stabilizing sales.
Getting involved in local events and activities is a great way to do this. For example, you could participate in a farmers market or set up a booth at a local fair, allowing you to build a rapport with customers in your business community.
2. Lower prices
When produce is in season, a lot of it tends to be available. Lowering prices gets rid of surplus inventory that might otherwise go to waste. It also encourages people to buy, boosting sales, as they’re more likely to see it as a steal.
Markdowns can also help stimulate the local economy by increasing demand. More sales mean more money to invest back into your businesses, effectively creating jobs and other economic opportunities.
3. Partner with a local vendor
Local vendors for seasonal produce will be more familiar with their operating area. The quality of products they provide will therefore be higher, as they’ll be working with growers who know the perfect climate and soil conditions for production. They may also be able to provide more unique and specialized products that isn’t normally available from larger, national suppliers.
Moreover, local vendors often have better prices for seasonal produce since they don’t have to ship their produce over long distances, which can add to total costs. They may offer discounts for bulk purchases or special pricing for ordering early in the season.
4. Add quality labels
In order to better promote seasonal produce, businesses should add quality labels to their packaging. Businesses can use, for example, different colors to signify different seasons, which makes it easy for customers to know when produce is in season.
Quality labels may take the form of stickers, stamps, or even hand-drawn labels. Whatever method is utilized, the label should be clear and visible. The label should also include the name of the business, the product, and the date that the product was grown.
5. Print healthy recipes on your packaging
Printing healthy recipes on packaging can be a great way to promote seasonal produce. By featuring recipes highlighting seasonal ingredients, businesses can encourage customers to buy more of their products, especially if the recipe calls for large quantities of the marketed product.
This can also help businesses differentiate themselves from competitors. In such a crowded marketplace, companies will need to find ways to stand out, and promoting healthy eating shows customers that you’re committed to helping them lead healthier lives. This builds consumer loyalty and trust—both of which are essential for long-term success.
6. Add incentives
Businesses that sell seasonal produce can use incentives as a way to attract customers and boost sales. This can be anything from a produce sample to a coupon for a future purchase. Incentives are especially effective during holidays when people have more of a reason to buy produce.
When customers receive more from a business than they usually get, they’re likely to remember it and return in the future. This can generate word-of-mouth marketing, in which they tell their friends and family, leading to more customers.
Incentives can also help during slow periods, as they encourage people to buy produce just for the value of it, even when they might not otherwise do so.
7. Start a contest
Starting a contest can build awareness of your company and increase interest in your products. It’s also a great way to connect with local communities and reach out to customers on a more personal level.
You could offer prizes, for example, for entrants who submit the best seasonal recipe that features your produce, or for those who come up with the most creative way to use your produce in a dish. Or you could simply ask people to share photos of themselves enjoying your product.
Whatever you do, make sure to promote your contest widely so that you can reach as many people as possible.
8. Use social media
Social media is a powerful tool that can help businesses of all sizes reach new customers. And since so many people use social media on a daily basis, it’s an effective way to promote seasonal produce.
When using social media, be sure to post attractive pictures and enticing descriptions to make customers want to buy what you’re selling. You should also post regularly and use relevant hashtags to reach a wider audience.
In addition, using social media to run promotions and contests is a great way to increase engagement and excitement around your seasonal products. For example, you could offer a discount to customers who post a picture of themselves eating your produce or using it in a recipe.
Focusing efforts on promoting seasonal produce is beneficial
Seasonal produce is not only more nutritionally dense when compared to out-of-season produce, but it’s also better for the environment and the economy. By promoting seasonal produce, businesses can show their commitment to healthy eating and sustainability, two things that are important to consumers.
There are many ways to promote seasonal produce, but some of the most effective include those listed in this article. Whatever methods you choose, make sure to promote your products effectively so that you can reach as many people as possible. Doing so will help to increase sales and build consumer loyalty.
