At WeFarmShop, we’re seeing a huge appetite for artisan food. From small-batch jams to award-winning cheeses, consumers are waking up to the benefits of quality and craftsmanship. But expanding beyond local farmers’ markets brings a big challenge: shipping.
1. Keeping It Fresh
For artisan producers, quality is everything. Whether it’s Brinkworth Dairy’s cheeses or Sublime Chocolate’s treats, keeping products fresh is a must. But shipping perishable goods means temperature control, insulated packaging, and sometimes dry ice – all of which add to the cost.
2. Shipping Costs
Shipping is expensive, especially for rural producers. Refrigerated transport for perishables? Even pricier. These costs either cut into profits or get passed to consumers, making artisan products less accessible. And supporting local, whilst needed to pay a premium for delivery can be a tricky balancing act.
3. Sustainable Packaging
Artisan producers pride themselves on being eco-friendly, but keeping food fresh often requires non-recyclable packaging. Sustainable options exist, like wool insulation, but they come with a price tag. Balancing sustainability with cost is a constant struggle – but at WeFarmShop, we’re helping find solutions.
4. The Risks of Shipping
Shipping food is risky. Delays, weather, or rough handling can lead to spoilage or damage. Producers often have no control once the product is shipped. However, customer expectations are sky-high and refunds or replacements become part of managing expectations and ensuring you have happy customers.
5. Building Trust
Consumers are cautious about buying perishable items online. Building trust through clear communication, tracking, and guarantees is crucial to successful online fulfillment.
How WeFarmShop Helps You
We’re committed to making it easier for producers. We’re:
Marketing: Our marketing spend will generate awareness and reach, finding those customers who are ready to pay a little more for quality, artisan products.
Knowledge sharing: We’re helping the community stay informed with best practices on packaging that protects both the product and the environment.
Recycling network: We’re creating opportunities to recycle expensive packaging so producers don’t have to shoulder the full burden.
Group buying: The App is set up for group buying. By encouraging group buying and larger orders, we can reduce costs for producers.
Negotiating better rates: We’re representing the artisan community by working with couriers to get better shipping rates and collaborating with insurers to cover breakages and losses..
At WeFarmShop, we’re passionate about supporting local producers and helping them bring the best of British food to consumers – no matter where it needs to go!
WeFarmShop will get you more customers and larger orders.
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