Championing Local:How Farmers on Duty Helps Local
📍Why Local Matters (to Us and to Squamish)
Fresher food, fewer miles — local produce means better taste, nutrition, and a smaller footprint.Buying local builds trust between farmers and customers.Every purchase strengthens Squamish’s community, economy, and food security.
If you’ve ever wandered our aisles in Squamish, you’ve felt it: that lively mix of just-picked greens, small-batch sauces, pasture-raised eggs, handmade soaps, and the quiet pride of people who make things well. Farmers on Duty was built to spotlight local goods and the farmers and makers behind them—so your dollars stay close to home and our community gets stronger.
Why local matters (to us and to Squamish)
• Fresher food, fewer miles. Shorter supply chains mean better flavor and nutrition, with a lighter footprint.
• Real stories, real people. Customers love knowing who made their food and where. That trust converts—again and again.
• Stronger community economy. Local spend circulates locally—supporting jobs, land stewardship, and food security.
How we help local producers increase sales
1) Shelf space that sells
We curate by taste, quality, and story. Products are grouped by season and use case (e.g., “Weeknight Veg”, “BBQ & Marinades”, “Breakfast Staples”), making it easy for shoppers to discover and buy more.
2) Story-driven merchandising
Your farm or brand doesn’t sit anonymously. We use shelf talkers, producer cards, and QR codes linking to short profiles, videos, or recipes so customers connect with your products on the spot.
3) Smart sampling & demos
Taste wins. We run in-store tastings and micro-demos (often Friday–Sunday) and feature those items in our weekly highlights. Producers routinely see 2–5× lift during demo weeks.
4) Seasonal campaigns (you ride the wave)
From first berries to holiday roasts, we plan seasonal features across signage, end caps, and social. Your product rides an existing wave of traffic—and intent.
5) Digital amplification
Your launches, harvest updates, and maker stories get boosted via email, Instagram, and our local producer spotlight on the site—so your reach isn’t limited to foot traffic.
6) Operational help that actually helps
We provide simple forecasting, sell-through feedback, and reorder rhythms so you can plan harvests and batches confidently (less waste, steadier cash flow).
What impresses us (and customers)
• Clarity: clean labels, clear ingredients, simple use instructions.
• Consistency: reliable supply, stable quality, and packaging that protects freshness.
• Proof of care: certifications where relevant (Organic, HACCP, Gluten-Free), or clear farm practices explained simply.
• A good story: why you started, what you value, how you treat your land/animals—kept tight and honest.
Want your products on our shelves? Here’s exactly how.
Step 1: Basics
• Local to Sea to Sky / BC (priority to Squamish & neighboring communities)
• Compliant packaging & labeling (ingredients, allergens, net weight, contact info, best-before)
• Food safety: applicable permits (e.g., PHO approvals), safe facility practices; cold chain when needed
• Barcodes (UPC/EAN) for anything beyond truly small-batch pilot runs
• Wholesale pricing that allows a standard retail margin (we’ll review together)
Step 2: Send us a quick product intro
Email sales@farmersonduty.com with:
• Business name, contact, website/socials
• Product list + wholesale pricing + case sizes + shelf life
• Certifications (if any), facility type, and delivery options
• A short brand story (3–5 sentences) and 1–2 product photos
Step 3: Bring samples (or drop at our receiving window)
We taste and test packaging fit, then give you fast feedback—usually within a week.
Step 4: Start with a pilot
We’ll agree on an initial order, display location, replenishment cadence, intro promo, and shared sales/feedback so you can iterate.
Step 5: Grow together
If it’s a match, we expand facings and features, improve forecasting and pre-orders, and co-create storytelling (farm visits, maker reels, recipe collabs).
Producer cheat-sheet
• Labeling: product name, net weight, ingredients (by weight), allergens, lot/batch, best-before, contact, origin.
• Shelf life: tested and documented; note any storage needs (refrigerated/frozen/ambient).
• Pricing: wholesale, MSRP, and suggested promos.
• Delivery: days/times, minimums, and who to call if you’re running late.
• Marketing assets: 3–5 photos, a 1-paragraph story, and a recipe/use-case if applicable.
• Certs/permits: attach PDFs or links (Organic, PHO approvals, etc.).
A note to Squamish shoppers
Every time you buy local at Farmers on Duty, you’re doing more than filling a basket—you’re keeping farms viable, makers motivated, and real food on our tables. Thank you.
Ready to partner?
• Producers: send your intro to sales@farmersonduty.com with subject “Local Product Submission — [Your Brand]”.
• Shoppers: want to see a favorite local product here? Tell us and we’ll reach out.
Farmers on Duty — Fresh, organic & locally made. Right here in Squamish.
