Attention Missouri Market Growers

[GreenZone]

Recently Gary Myracle, a purchasing representative for Associated Wholesale Grocers, came by the store to discuss his company's desire to add heirloom tomatoes (and perhaps other produce) to the line of produce that is carried in over 300 grocery stores in Missouri. What he is looking to buy is hundreds of pounds of tomatoes per week, all season long.
Now that is far beyond the capacity of any single grower that I've discussed it with. But it also represents a real coup for heirlooms, as well as a huge opportunity for someone. The obvious solution is some sort of co-operative. Gary said his firm isn't willing to deal with dozens of small producers.
So if anyone's interested, I'll furnish contact information so someone can perhaps go forward with this.
--Randel

[GreenZone]

Guess no one is interested....

[moonglow]

It looks like I missed an opportunity that I really would like to have. Is there somewhere else we can post it and maybe get more response. I would like to get more information if possible. Looking forward to growing again!

[GreenZone]

No, the opportunity is still there. This all came up about 3 months ago. The problem seems to be that the quantity required is so far out of the realm (apparently) of what most heirloom growers are doing....

I don't know where else to post this, but I'd sure like to see something come of it. Post a note about it anywhere you think'll get seen.
--Randel

[drobinson]

It might help to know how some of us heirloom tomato, etc, growers feel about obligating ourselves, and our crop, to one of the big chain grocery companies. First, any chain grocery must think about supply and demand. One cannot fault them for that. But, small gardeners, hobby or otherwise are in it for the pleasure and challenge of getting a really good tasting tomato that they can eat themselves and share with friends and relatives. Maybe even sell some on a one-to-one basis. The last think I am looking for is to "bet the farm" on the success of my tomato crop each season to meet the demand of "big grocer." The latter is too much like the tail wagging the dog. Now I'm sure there are other valid opinions out there but I thought you might like to hear from one old time gardener that loves it as a craft but would hate it as a business - beyond the Mom and Pop scale.

[Silent]

I'd like to become involved GreenZone....however, I'm nowhere near Missouri (Hoosier girl here) and haven't the wherewithal to produce on that scale. On the other hand, I do know where I might be able to post it, if you don't have a problem with it being posted elsewhere?

[GreenZone]

Sure, silent, post it anywhere. Before I posted originally I checked with Gary and he said he'd not want his contact information strewn all over the web, which is why I didn't include a phone number.

Drobinson, I share some of your concerns. But on the other hand a lot of market growers DO want to expand their businesses, and a deal like the one being discussed here could be a really good opportunity for them, which is the reason I passed it along. Also, it's encouraging (to me at least) that heirlooms have generated sufficient interest that mainstream marketing is taking a look at them.
--Randel

[scakya]

I never cease to be amazed by people being reluctant to sell their produce. I have a feeling many here don't know what it is to sell to a commercial buyer, and guess can't blame them for being shy.

Three years ago I was selling commercially and ran my truck all over New Mexico selling my pumpkins.None of this counts the semi-loads of pumpkins I sent all over the USA. I could only sell a small portion of my tomatoes though, so gave many hundred of lbs. to the local food pantry, great tax writeoff. This year, just getting going again and will do tomatoes in quantity again, but not like I did before. Concentrating on heirloom only also as feel that is the way to go.

The money can be good if you are direct with your buyer, but like what happened to me, you can burned really bad by one bad produce broker.

That's why I do farmer's markets now and gear my production for several bigger markets a few days a week.

scakya

[Silent]

GreenZone, have a friend from the other forum I mentioned who is interested and will probably be contacting you.

[GreenZone]

Silent, that's cool. I can give him or her the contact info.
--Randel

[robbins]

Jere -
We'd sure be interested. Email me when you are back from Mexico.
Robbins

[robbins]

Jere -
We'd sure be interested.Email when you are back from Mexico.

Robbins - who can't figure out if I've already posted this or not.

[sherilyn]

I know someone who might be interested. I will let him know.
Sheri

[gardengardian]

hello Randel I just read the post about tomato production in Mo. I would have to say I am interested. I am also a small producer, just getting started really. If the opportunity is still out there I would love to learn more about it.

jason nwmo

[meghaninmissouri]

:rolleyes:
Hi, we are going to be getting started on a venture in March and would be interested in hearing more. I grow a couple of heirlooms collected from Mennonites in Pennsylvania that are wonderful, haven't seen them in the catalogs here yet. So I will keep looking. Thanks for your work on this.

[Pharmerphil]

I grow a couple of heirlooms collected from Mennonites in Pennsylvania that are wonderful
And they would be called :confused:

[GreenZone]

Jason I sent you a private message....
--Randel

[robbins]

Randel - We are in central MO and grow fairly large scale. We'd be interested and would appreciate any information or off forum a contact number. Thanks.
Robbins

[meghaninmissouri]

They are Dr. Wyche's yellow striped. I have seen his others but not these.

[kiote]

I can relate to the bigger the better mindset. I have an acre of Asparagus and found a grocery chain in Springfield very interested. My patch isn't up to full production yet but by myself I could not supply his needs when it is up to max. A co-op would be great if it weren't for the fact that if you have an organisation, you have officers, then a budget and it goes downhill from there.

[deb65802]

I would like to do that but I dont have the space to put in several hundred plants. I will have to concentrate on grwoing what I cna on this medium sized urban lot.

it sounds really cool and fun

[rjzatyko@yahoo.com]

hi, i hope you guys make it,i went into krogers today to buy some organic fruits and veggies but what they had was real bad, but you guys are in Mo. so that wouldn't help me any,i sure will be glad when my garden starts producing. richard from ky.