Training Producers to Sell Online

Online Series helps Producers Move to Online Sales

In response to food supply changes related to the COVID-19, the Food Business Incubation Program (FoodBIP) has offered farm and food producers three direct-to-consumer webinars to help them add online sales and distribution options to their businesses. Workshops could be taken individually or as a series. 

In “Start Selling Online for Farm & Food Producers” (5/26) FoodBIP program director Amina Omari covered how to pick an online sales platform; decide on delivery, pickup, and shipping options; and quickly set up an online store, as well as some alternate methods for selling online.

“COVID-19 Customer Service for Farm & Food Producers” (6/2) was led by Omari and Ashley Cake, owner of The Watershed lounge in Ithaca. The webinar covered techniques for building strong relationships with customers and winning their repeat business, as well as creating the processes needed to be successful. Participants in this session represented food and farm businesses of all kinds from the broader Finger Lakes, Central New York, and Southern Tier regions.

“Online Marketing 101 for Farm & Food Producers” (6/9) will include a crash course in online marketing with Amina Omari on social media, email marketing, cross-promotions, marketing plans, and a handful of free apps that can help make your marketing pop. Cost is sliding scale $0-$20/person, pay what you can afford. Register online and receive an email with the Zoom link and password needed to join the webinar.

Workshops were not recorded for later viewing due to their highly interactive and conversational nature, with many participants asking questions and sharing experiences that were specific to their individual farms and businesses.

The Food Business Incubation Program (FoodBIP), a project of CCE-Tompkins and the Finger Lakes Regional Prosperity Network. If your food or beverage manufacturing business could use assistance with the coronavirus pandemic, please contact Amina Omari at FoodBIP by email amina.omari@foodbip.org or call her at (607) 444-5520.

Last updated December 1, 2022