Everyone’s thinking about farm-fresh food this Christmas season.
The majority of food consumers want assistance in comprehending what it takes to present items that are acquired locally. What they do know is that some of the freshest and tastiest dishes are made using products that are acquired locally.
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The craze for food that is obtained locally is true. When harvested at its ripest, produce usually has higher levels of vitamins and minerals.
Food service companies will find it simpler and more affordable to purchase locally grown, farm-fresh products thanks to Kentucky Proud.
Eastern Kentucky bakeries, restaurants, cafés, and wholesalers should make plans to fully participate in Kentucky Proud initiatives. Participation is also free and simple.
Discover how Kentucky Proud lowers the cost of locally produced foods by reading on, and see whether you qualify for a recent Department of Agriculture grant opportunity.
Buy Local, Kentucky Proud
Why is it crucial to use foods that are supplied locally? There are several strong arguments:
Food consumers enjoy helping out local farmers, especially when doing so is simple and reasonably priced.
Travelers are looking for real travel experiences, and part of that experience includes eating meals that are locally produced and represent the customs and flavors of the area.
Eating locally has advantages for your health. Family farms provide food items that are often less processed and support sensible dietary choices.
What has prevented Kentuckians from consuming more locally sourced food? Expense has been a factor. Large farms benefit economically from a number of factors, including distribution networks, which frequently result in lower prices for their goods. It’s been difficult for small farmers that are trying hard to maintain their profit margins to compete on pricing.
Head-on, Kentucky Proud Buy Local takes on this task. It encourages eateries and other food service enterprises to obtain delectable foods approved by the program, therefore bolstering our local agriculture economy.
Who has access to Kentucky Proud?
Restaurants, vendors, and further food service enterprises: Using items that are obtained locally encourages customers to talk about you. Marketing might increase consumer awareness of your products and generate interest in them. Additionally, the approach lowers the cost of introducing menu items obtained locally.
Consumers: Supporting your local business makes you feel proud of your neighborhood. Customers gain from the enhanced nutrients that this class of food items frequently offers.
Local farms: Family farms earn a steady income to continue operations year after year when food service firms plan the acquisition of ingredients on a regular basis.
Guidelines for taking part in Kentucky Proud Buy Local
Purchase throughout 2018, local members placed roughly $3 million worth of orders for goods from farms throughout Kentucky.
You’re losing out on chances to please your clients and financial savings if you’re not utilizing this program.
To register for the Buy Local initiative, take the following actions:
Verify your suitability. A restaurant, caterer, food truck, cafeteria, mobile food vendor, café, baker, concession, or other food service establishment must be represented by you.
Get your complimentary membership to Kentucky Proud activated.
Fill out the Buy Local form. Please complete this application if you are a distributor.
Please be aware that discounts are only available to you once your application has been accepted. This is the time to organize purchases and menus.
Once your application has been approved, you can begin buying the qualified agricultural goods. Produce, cheese, meat, and eggs are all relevant.
Up to 15% of your qualified purchases may be reimbursed when invoices are submitted to the program.
Your food distributor may submit bills on your behalf if they are a program participant.
Take note that any food goods you sell directly to customers are not eligible for reimbursement. For you to be qualified, the items must be used in prepared recipes.
Participating suppliers and farmers
Your brand awareness will probably rise in the community as a certified vendor because of Kentucky Proud’s free advertising offerings.
As a Kentucky Proud accredited food service business, you will have the chance to grow your clientele and revenue. Most of the time, those new clients will establish long-term relationships and recurrent orders, which will stabilize your revenue.
You could even attract direct clients. The name of your farm may appear on the menus and labels of the eateries and cafés that use your produce. Increasing brand awareness will support your marketing campaigns for CSA shares, farm stands, farmers’ markets, and other avenues that attract new clients.
Kentucky Proud is committed to supporting nearby farmers in carrying out their vital mission. Their reimbursement scheme for food service enterprises ought to assist you in pricing your goods so that your employees and family may make a reasonable salary.
Grant chance to companies who provide food service
Businesses that provide food should prepare to tell and educate customers about menu items that are sourced locally. Advertising is an expensive but useful strategy.
All program participants are urged to spread the word by Kentucky Proud, which also provides a grant to assist with advertising expenses. Applicants must be member firms that source verified items.
Grant recipients will receive up to 50% of advertising expenditures from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. Expenses for marketing, consumer interaction, and advertising are considered qualified activities. Eight thousand dollars is the maximum reward.
Join the Kentucky Proud Buy Local initiative.
Kentucky Proud is revolutionizing the agriculture and food service industries in our community. Additionally, they offer free marketing and advertising services, empowering more customers to make educated, health-conscious food decisions.
To take advantage of all the advantages connected with Buy Local and other Kentucky Proud initiatives, you must first sign up for a free membership.
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