New Partnership Gives GROW Members Space at Event
New Partnership Gives GROW Members Space at Event
A new partnership between Lincoln’s From Nebraska Gift Shop and GROW Nebraska allows members a free opportunity to reach hundreds of farmer’s market customers.
Barbara Ballard, owner of the From Nebraska store in Lincoln’s Historic Haymarket, invites GROW Nebraska members to sample and sell food products on a Saturday morning during the Lincoln Historic Haymarket Farmer’s Market.
It’s a great opportunity for business owners to test the waters on products. As a bonus, if sales are brisk, products may be sold from the shelves of the From Nebraska Gift Shop.
That’s what already happened with Herbal Gatherings mustard, a Lincoln-based company that offered tastings one Saturday.
“Depending on sales, we’ll decide if we will stock it,” Barbara said. “We try not to have 12 different kinds of salsa and 12 different kinds of mustard on our shelves. We try to be selective and put the finest products Nebraska has to offer.”
In addition, she looks for products with attractive packaging, a long shelf life and the ability to be quickly restocked. Products must also be manufactured or produced in Nebraska.
Barbara said she’d like to encourage at least two or maybe three businesses to offer tastings each week at the farmer’s market through October. Businesses will be offered space on the store’s outdoor dock at 803 Q Street to gain the most exposure. Owners must commit to being there and offering samples between 9 a.m. and noon or until the crowds thin down.
Between 300 and 600 customers will stop by the store during the farmer’s market to sample foods, cool off inside the store or enjoy wine slushies, Barbara said.
She recommends creating a unique display to go along with the tastings.
“We really encourage folks to have some kind of signage that tells about them,” she said. “People love a story. Tell your story in signage because you will have a little bit of a line.”
Barbara said From Nebraska will be expanding in January, and the farmer’s market opportunity reflects the new business model.
“Instead of just having a space on our shelves, you will have an opportunity to have your own display or kiosk,” she said.
To sign up for an opportunity to sell and sample at the From Nebraska Gift Shop during the farmer’s market, please complete the application here: https://grownebraska.org/member-opportunities/
All products sold during the Saturday events will be rang up by the From Nebraska Gift Shop register, and GROW Nebraska members will be paid wholesale price.
For more information about the From Nebraska Gift Shop, please visit the store’s GROW Nebraska member page. https://members.grownebraska.org/list/member/from-nebraska-gift-store-lincoln-539
