If you are a SWFL farmer selling your products locally or direct to consumer, consider registering your farm on the SWFL Fresh: Choose Local, Choose Fresh website.
Who can create a profile?
Farmers selling SWFL grown produce, meat, eggs, honey, fruit, and other agricultural commodities for the local and direct to consumer market; for example, on farm sales, at farmers markets, for local restaurants, at roadside stands and u-pick operations, wholesale as well as online sales.
How do I create a profile?
Click on the website and scroll down to “producers – Join SWFL Fresh to showcase your local farm!”www.swflfresh.com to create your farm profile. Please remember to save your login information somewhere safe. The more information you include on in profile, the easier it will be for folks to find you. Make sure to share how and where you sell your products; e.g.: 3rd Street Farmers Market; On the Farm; Farm Stand; Retail; Wholesale; Chefs; Catering; Private Events, etc.
What’s the benefit?
Registration and membership is at no cost. The goal is to connect local consumers with local farms. It’s also a way to highlight our small and mid-scale agricultural producers in the region.
- Registration on the www.swflfresh.com website
- Use of SWFL Fresh: Choose Local, Choose Fresh” logo on your product
- Point-of-purchase materials to display local products
- Advertising and promotion opportunities
- Training and technical assistance on marketing and grants
- Email newsletter and marketing opportunities
What is SWFL Fresh: Choose Local, Choose Fresh?
The SWFL Fresh brand was developed to encourage Southwest Florida residents and visitors to choose food and beverages sourced from Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Glades, Hendry, and Sarasota counties. There are currently 20 farms in the region registered. The website and brand is geared towards small to mid-size growers selling direct-to-market products. The goal is for the public and consumers interested in local food to have a way to find you!
The SWFL Regional Planning Council and UF/IFAS Extension have partnered with producers in the region to provide a platform for local food and are continuing to develop this brand with a recent USDA grant that focuses on registering producers, local awareness and education.
Contact Jessica Ryals for more information: jessicaryals@ufl.edu
Source: UF/IFAS Pest Alert
