| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Farmer Grrrl |
Posted - Oct 06 2011 : 6:45:18 PM
Hi all!
I am new here, but I love this thread and was hoping for some suggestions, advice and whatnot.
My friend and I are stay at home moms in the suburbs, both with excellent HUGE (for the 'burbs) garden areas.
We would like to start a business selling what I am calling "Edible Bouquets". I picture small to medium sized bouquets of culinary herbs and edible flowers, tied with a pretty ribbon. We might do say a "Marinara" bouquet that includes basil, oregano, rosemary, etc., in the quantities and correct proportions that you would use to make a nice big pot of homemade marinara sauce. Or maybe you want to buy a stem of basil. Or maybe you want a big, pretty bouquet with an assortment of herbs and flowers that you can set on your counter and pluck from through the week.
I was thinking maybe $3 - $5 for a small bouquet (plus a deposit for a mason jar if you want) and $7 - $10 for a larger bouquet. We would also have recipe cards and info about herbs.
We have 2 small Farmer's Markets and one very large Farmer's market in our area and I have spoken briefly with the owner of a retail store in our area that sells local produce. I also have a restaurant customer, but they would buy wholesale. The smaller of the farmer's markets do not have any herb sellers and the larger farmer's market doesn't offer anything like cut herb bouquets.
We want to start small and manageable and if we made $1000 to split between us the first year, we would be happy.
Do y'all think it is a good idea? See any problems or have any suggestions? |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| herblady55 |
Posted - Nov 01 2011 : 7:52:37 PM
I'm in Louisville Ohio. Lots of people confuse it with Louisville Ky. I wish we did live close. I would be more than willing to help you with your dream. It sounds so exciting. I'm all for fresh herbs, when I can get them. Around here they flourish. We must have the perfect soil for them. It is rich but has lots of small stones in it, which makes for great drainage, which herbs love. I grow mints, culinary herbs, tea herbs, and lots of lavender. I like to bring them all inside and hang to dry, just so I can walk by and smell them. YUM!!! I like Sweet Annie(smells wonderful)for sniffing.Can be used for potpourri and flower arrangements.
Actually when I worked in Pharmacies, one of the Pharmacists nick-named me HerbLady because I was so into herbs. I had lots of books and read and shared about them with anyone who would listen. So I got a plate made for my car and the name stuck. I still have the plate, but it's illegal to use them here now. If ya have something written on a plate now, it had better be a vanity plate from the BMV so they can soak ya for their benefit! *sigh* Not fair!
Sister-chick# 905(Sept.14th 2009)
Judy
French-Hugs&Squeezles!
I am not contained between my hat and my boots! -Walt Whitman-
"Why couldn't I have been born Rich instead of So Good Looking?" |
| Farmer Grrrl |
Posted - Oct 31 2011 : 1:59:22 PM
Judy,
We aren't that close to conveniences, but I used to live in a small town in Colorado like that. And I am on a corner lot, too! I am just starting my garden and it is important for Husband that it looks nice, so I will have to keep it to a size I can manage. :)
I wonder how close we are? I am very near the Kentucky border in middle Tennessee.
So I'm assuming you do something with herbs since you go by Herb Lady?? |
| herblady55 |
Posted - Oct 31 2011 : 11:44:28 AM
Sounds like the small town I live in Jodi...I can walk or ride my bike to the store, hardware, post office, library....but I'm on a nice large, private corner lot with a big(and growing yearly)garden. We love it here.It's convenient,especially with gas being what it is!
Keep us posted...oh...and Happy Halloween Goul-friend!teehee
Sister-chick# 905(Sept.14th 2009)
Judy
French-Hugs&Squeezles!
I am not contained between my hat and my boots! -Walt Whitman-
"Why couldn't I have been born Rich instead of So Good Looking?" |
| Farmer Grrrl |
Posted - Oct 30 2011 : 9:02:58 PM
Yay!! Thanks for the support!
It gives me a boost in my confidence to hear all the positive comments.
I need to get serious about making my list and ordering my seeds. I've picked up some REALLY cute buckets and mason jar holders.
And I agree about the friend. I am often guilty of having great ideas, butnot so great follow through. Having my friend involved has kept me motivated because I don't want to let her down. Not to mention, she introduced me to Mary James Farm!
I am so excited to get started! I have always wanted to sell things I have grown myself, but I like having my town conveniences. I finally have a property where I can have both! |
| herblady55 |
Posted - Oct 30 2011 : 8:41:56 PM
Hey I just stumbled across this post and I Love It!!! I'm all excited for you Jodi! You've got some great ideas and lucky to have a friend to go into it with you...AND.... some GREAT Gals on here to give helpful tips along the way.
Good luck!I'm rootin' for ya!!!
Sister-chick# 905(Sept.14th 2009)
Judy
French-Hugs&Squeezles!
I am not contained between my hat and my boots! -Walt Whitman-
"Why couldn't I have been born Rich instead of So Good Looking?" |
| Farmer Grrrl |
Posted - Oct 18 2011 : 10:54:44 AM
Exactly!! I muddled my way through using fennel bulb. Now I love it. |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Oct 18 2011 : 10:49:35 AM
Yeah, I think you've hit on something important--the more varieties of things that are grown, heirloom, or things that noone is familiar with, some "education" is needed. People won't cook with what they don't know what to do with--so thus, they won't buy it. I ran into that issue with Kohlrabi this summer. I'd never seen it available at my farmers' market, nor bought it at Whole Foods, but it was in my CSA bin one weekend and thank goodness, there was a handout with recipes, what it was supposed to taste like, "when" it was done, how to trim it for cooking, what I could even do with the leaves (much like any wilted beet green), etc. VERY helpful, and now I'm not afraid of Kohlrabi anymore!
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Oct 18 2011 : 10:46:47 AM
I had already known about it (dh works in fine dining and it's a cure-all for fresh herbs and lettuces, watercress, etc..) and then our fine CSA folks sent out a paper with the first pick up and it was interesting how many people had never known about it! Now YOU know :)
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
| Farmer Grrrl |
Posted - Oct 18 2011 : 10:46:10 AM
Oh, and I think written info is going to be KEY for our success. Recipe cards, printouts, all that stuff. I got some long beans through my CSA this year and had no clue what to do with them. Seems silly. I mean, they are BEANS. But I didn't know if I needed to shell them or string them or if they needed to be cooked longer or shorter, so I never used them. Turns out, they get cooked just like regular beans. Wish I had known that, too. |
| Farmer Grrrl |
Posted - Oct 18 2011 : 10:42:22 AM
I wish someone had told me about it! I wasted some beautiful organic baby lettuces because I didn't know about the water bath. |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Oct 18 2011 : 10:38:29 AM
Yes, Natesgirl is right about making sure to give your customers information on "cold shocking" their herbs back to a "perky" state. A nice bath in water with lots of ice cubes does the trick. Most folks don't know that, and it's a nice bit of information to share--makes you seem like a genius :)
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
| Farmer Grrrl |
Posted - Oct 18 2011 : 10:34:29 AM
Natesgirl - AWESOME SUGGESTION!! That would be such a pretty presentation! Did you keep the lettuces in the bags and put the bags on ice on the table or did you keep the bags in a cooler and have some lettuces out of the bags in the display?
I am wondering if it would work to stick the cut ends of the bouquets in ice... Will have to test.
Can I just say a HUGE thanks to everyone who posted so far!!!! You are all as nice and helpful as I hoped you would be! What a great forum! |
| natesgirl |
Posted - Oct 18 2011 : 10:27:58 AM
I had the same problem with baby lettuces at our farmers market. I solved it by sealing the lettuces in a ziptop bag with a little water in it. Then I stored the bags in a cooler with ice water. For the table display I bought a pretty tub used for sodas at parties and put ice in it, then stood the lettuces in the tub. They stayed very 'perky' and fresh!
Be sure to tell the customers that they will wilt in the take home proccess but should perk back up in the fridge once home!
I had tons of repeat customers once I began doing that, so it should work well for you also!
I love the idea by the way!!!
Farmgirl Sister #1438
God - Gardening - Family - Is anything else important? |
| Farmer Grrrl |
Posted - Oct 18 2011 : 09:16:57 AM
Lisa - you are correct, of course. Really, it isn't all that difficult, its just a few phone calls, and paperwork and such. But I tend to be a big idea person, not so much a details person.
February - thanks so much for your thoughtful comment!! My plan was to keep everything in water, mason jars, but basil does tend to get all wilt-y. I wonder if it would do ok if its feet were in ice water. Or pull the whole plant, with roots, so it is still "alive".
I have seen it sold in cups and my CSA just loads the cut basil into waxed boxes, but both are in air conditioned building.
Seems like some research is in order.
I would not have thought of this until it was probably too late and I was planning on basil being the big seller! |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Oct 18 2011 : 08:21:35 AM
Jodi, the only thing I might ask is this: when cutting your herbs for bouquets, how will you keep them "fresh"? Some herbs do just fine without refrigeration (lavender and rosemary, the more woody varieties), but most (ESPECIALLY basil) wilt within an hour or so unless kept in ice cold water. The presentation sounds lovely, and perhaps you've already thought of this, but keeping them lovely is something to think about that I didn't see mentioned here.
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
| lisalisa |
Posted - Oct 18 2011 : 07:49:51 AM
Jodi, Instead of looking at it that way, think of it as an opportunity to learn something new and figure it out! I've found that sometimes I was actually sabotaging myself by thinking it was too confusing or wasn't my way of doing things.  You can do it!
Hugs from PA --Lisa |
| Farmer Grrrl |
Posted - Oct 17 2011 : 12:53:59 PM
Thanks! I am gathering supplies and making inquiries. Right now my focuses business licenses and legal mumbo jumbo that I am no good at. I wish a magic fairy would wave her wand and I would be all ready to go and legal! |
| lisalisa |
Posted - Oct 17 2011 : 08:32:45 AM
I think this sounds great! I'm from an area where there are supermarkets and only one farmer's market - where I go religiously! This seems like an affordable, cute idea. Too bad you're not closer to me, I'd buy it! Good luck to you, stick to it! ----Lisa |
| Farmer Grrrl |
Posted - Oct 10 2011 : 08:41:51 AM
Joey,
Thanks for your encouragement!
I hadn't seen anything like it either! If you buy herbs out of season around here, you pay about $3 for a small plastic container of some sad, dead looking herbs. Our community hasn't quite embraced the local / organic foods movement, so I wanted prices to be compareable, even though my product would be far superior. People around here don't even recognize purple basil and that is just sad!!
Plus, it seems like I NEVER need just one herb. I always use a little of this and a little of that. At $3 per variety at the grocer, that adds up fast!
We may go to a larger market and I am considering increasing the price there. I know it will be more expensive to participate and our customer would be much more sophisticated. |
| Joey |
Posted - Oct 09 2011 : 3:58:17 PM
I think this is a WONDERFUL idea..so very different. I've been to Farmers Markets around the counrty and have never seen anything like this. I know you could get more money from people at our Farmers Market. I'd LOVE the bouquet. It would be so pretty and spices are SO expensive. Good luck. Joey
Well behaved women rarely make history. |
| Farmer Grrrl |
Posted - Oct 07 2011 : 10:34:25 AM
Thanks so much for your support.
I got a brief response from the person in charge of our Farmer's market and all she mentioned was a business license, but thanks for the advice on checking regulations! I will do that first.
In the planning stages, I got tangled up in LLCs and insurance, but I think I want to see how it goes for a season before I start investing that kind of money. |
| FarmDream |
Posted - Oct 07 2011 : 06:01:08 AM
This sounds really nice. I like the presentation with ribbons and information cards. Good luck!
~FarmDream is Farmgirl Sister #3069
Live Today, Cherish Yesterday, Dream Tomorrow
http://naturaljulie.etsy.com
http://julie-rants.blogspot.com |
| Bensgrandma |
Posted - Oct 07 2011 : 04:56:20 AM
It is a great idea. You could also sell fresh to local grocery stores or small restaurants. We had a neighbor who used to sell his tomatoes and beans to an independant grocery store here. I don't think he had a license (he was pretty old and this was a while ago - probably for a lot of regulations)
http://www.etsy.com/shop/HugsandStitches
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ACharmingExperience |
| jan49829 |
Posted - Oct 06 2011 : 7:05:14 PM
Otherwise, I think it is a great idea!!!! Good luck to you!!!
Jan
Farmgirl Sister #3340
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| jan49829 |
Posted - Oct 06 2011 : 7:03:59 PM
I would check and make sure you do not need any certain permits. Here in Michigan and our city, I know you need a food license to sell anything edible.Maybe you can ask at the farmers market what they need there. Just a thought,
Jan
Farmgirl Sister #3340
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