How Do Buying Kentucky Proud Local Farm Products Benefit You?

This Christmas season, farm-fresh food is on everyone’s mind.

Most food customers desire help understanding what it takes to showcase locally sourced ingredients. They are aware, however, that some of the best and freshest recipes call for locally sourced ingredients.

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It’s true that there is a passion for locally grown food. Produce often has higher quantities of vitamins and minerals when it is collected at its ripest.

Thanks to Kentucky Proud, food service firms will find it easier and more cheap to buy locally grown, farm-fresh items.

Bakeries, eateries, cafés, and wholesalers in Eastern Kentucky should schedule their full participation in Kentucky Proud events. It’s also easy and free to participate.

Continue reading to find out how Kentucky Proud reduces the price of locally grown food and to find out whether you are eligible for a recent grant offer from the Department of Agriculture.

Kentucky Proud, Buy Local

Why is using food that is available locally so important? There are several compelling arguments:

Foodies like supporting their local farms, especially when it’s easy and affordable to do so.

Real travel experiences involve eating meals that are created locally and reflect the regional flavors and customs. This is what tourists are searching for.

There are health benefits associated with eating locally. Foods from family farms are frequently less processed and encourage healthy eating habits.

Why haven’t Kentuckians been eating more food that is grown nearby? Cost has played a role. Numerous factors contribute to the financial success of large farms, including as distribution networks that often lead to reduced costs for their products. Small farmers have found it challenging to compete on price even if they are working very hard to keep their profit margins intact.

Kentucky Proud Buy Local tackles this challenge head-on. It stimulates restaurants and other food service businesses to source delicious goods that have been authorized by the program, supporting our local agricultural economy.

To whom is Kentucky Proud accessible?

Restaurants, suppliers, and more food service businesses: Using locally sourced goods encourages people to tell others about you. Marketing might raise interest in and awareness of your items among consumers. The method also reduces the expense of adding locally sourced menu items.

Customers: You may feel good about your area by patronizing your local company. Consumers benefit from the increased nutrients that this category of foods often provides.

Local farms: When food service companies schedule the regular purchase of products, family farms have a consistent revenue stream that enables them to sustain their businesses year after year.

Instructions for Kentucky Proud Buy Local participation

Approximately $3 million worth of orders for products from farms throughout Kentucky were placed by local members throughout the course of 2018.

If you’re not using this software, you’re missing out on opportunities to satisfy your clients and money.

Take the following steps to sign up for the Buy Local initiative:

Check that you are suitable. You are required to represent a restaurant, caterer, food truck, cafeteria, mobile food vendor, café, baker, concession, or other food service facility.

Activate your free Kentucky Proud membership.

Complete the form for Buy Local. In case you are a distributor, kindly fill out this application.

Please be advised that discounts will only be applied to you if your application is approved. Now is the time to plan your dinners and shopping.

After your application has been accepted, you are able to start purchasing the eligible agricultural products. Eggs, cheese, meat, and produce are all important.

When invoices are turned in to the program, you might get reimbursed for up to 15% of your eligible purchases.

If your food distributor is a program member, they may submit bills on your behalf.

Be aware that you will not be compensated for any food products you sell to clients directly. The products must be utilized in prepared recipes in order for you to be eligible.

Involved farmers and suppliers

Because Kentucky Proud offers free exposure, the community will likely become more aware of your business as a recognized seller.

As a food service establishment with Kentucky Proud accreditation, you will have the opportunity to increase both your clients and revenue. The majority of the time, those new customers will build lasting bonds and repeat business, which will steady your income.

You might even draw in direct customers. The menus and labels of the restaurants and cafés that serve your produce could include your farm’s name on them. Your marketing efforts for CSA shares, farm stands, farmers’ markets, and other channels that draw in new customers will be strengthened by raising brand recognition.

Kentucky Proud is dedicated to helping local farmers fulfill their important purpose. Their food service industry reimbursement program should help you set your prices so that your staff and family may earn a fair living.

Give businesses that serve meals a chance.

Companies that provide food should be ready to inform and educate clients on locally produced menu items. Advertising is a costly but effective tactic.

Kentucky Proud encourages everyone involved in the program to share the news and offers a grant to help with advertising costs. Candidates must be vetted item sources who are members of the company.

Up to 50% of advertising expenses will be awarded by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to grant applicants. Marketing, customer service, and advertising expenses are regarded as qualifying activities. The highest award is eight thousand dollars.

Become a part of the Kentucky Proud Buy Local campaign.

Our community’s food service and agriculture sectors are being revolutionized by Kentucky Proud. They also provide free marketing and promotion services, enabling more clients to choose foods that are informed and health-conscious.

Prior to enjoying all the benefits associated with Buy Local and other Kentucky Proud initiatives, you must register for a free membership.

Do you operate a small business and require support in growing and managing it? Study up on SOAR Innovation. We offer the following direct services to all 54 Eastern Kentucky counties’ businesses at no cost:

Formulating a Business Plan

putting up a website’s front page

Making administrative tasks simpler

plus something more!