What’s Next? Steps to Take After the Matchmaker Tips for Growers:

Follow up is important! Don’t worry about being pesky; just be persistent and

respectful.

o Send an initial “thank you/nice to meet you” note within days of the

event.

o Call (or contact using preferred method) well in advance of your crop of

product being ready, so the buyer may use this knowledge to plan. Work

out an arrangement for ordering: Who should contact whom?

o Call (or contact using preferred method) when product is ready to solicit orders

(if necessary).

Be prepared to pass along materials that the buyer may request to promote the

relationship with your farm or business.

o A school or co-op may want pictures of your farm to feature in a newsletter.

o A restaurant may want a digital file of your logo to use on their menu.

o Business cards or brochures may be utilized by a variety of buyers.

At the end of the season or year, thank your new accounts for their business, and

set up a meeting to discuss crops/priorities/goals for the following year.

Annie’s advice: People will do business with people they like and with people who

offer them good value and good service. (Advice from Annie Harlow, ACoRN Board

Member, former produce buyer.)

A Note on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Certification:

GAP is a set of food safety standards promoted by the USDA. GAP certification

requires an annual on-farm review administered by trained USDA representatives. Although

law does not require GAP certification for most small and medium-sized growers, some

institutional purchasers will inquire about it, and others may require it from growers.

Currently, there is an advisory group of farmers and other interested bodies working

with UVM and the State of Vermont to identify food safety measures that are responsive to

the needs of small and diversified farms. If you would like to develop a food safety plan for

your farm, please contact the following folks:

Ginger Nickerson

GAP Outreach Coordinator: UVM Extension

(802) 656-5490

Virginia.nickerson@uvm.edu

Steve Parise

Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and

Markets

(802) 828-2436

steve.parise@state.vt.us