Have you ever considered selling your food, beverage, or agricultural products to educational and/or government facilities? It is a very viable market with lots of growth from interest in local food procurement. Learn about how to get started in this unique market channel.

Cultivation Station

Episode 12 - Selling to Educational Facilities

Your brand tells a story to your customer that sticks with them long after they have used or consumed your products. Is your brand telling the right story? In this episode of Cultivation Station we talk with some heavy hitters in the retail world, and the brand builder that helped them get there. Joining us is John Recca - BrandWerks, Moni- Grandma's Noodles, Lori - Mulay Sausage, and Gina - Gina Cucina. These brands are in retailers because they convey their story and purpose concisely. Find out how they got there and the process to really sharpen your branding. Time Stamps:1:25 John, Moni, Lori 25:26 Gina, John

Episode 11- What's in a Brand?

We take a look at the consumer and marketing trends we saw pop up and accelerate just like COVID-19. Some trends and marketing tactics are here to stay, while others will eventually fade out. Hear from our expert guests on the show about how to position yourself for success moving forward.   Time-stamps:   1:15 - Dr. Dawn Thilmlany and Dr. Becca Jablonski with Colorado State University's College of Agricultural Sciences Agricultural Economics and Resource Department (https://dare.agsci.colostate.edu/) (localfoodeconomics.com) 21:20 - CEO Laura Zaspel with Serendipity Catering in Denver 36:00 - Owner Kristine Root with ROOt Marketing and PR in Boulder 

Episode 10 - 2021 Market Trends

Worried about upcoming GAP/GIB audits? Confused how the produce safety rule mixes in with those? We have got you covered! We speak with our own state employees on how to get prepared, resources to utilize for both information and cost assistance, as well as producers who have been there and done that for the audit game. Please contact danielle.trotta@state.co.us with any questions, or podcast topic suggestions.   Time Stamps: 1:02 - Colorado Department of Agriculture's Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Team - Brian Pauley (brian.pauley@state.co.us) and Steve Lopez (steve.lopez@state.co.us). More information at https://ag.colorado.gov/markets/fruit-vegetable-section   13:30 - Aspen Produce LLC - Jon Gonzales Food Safety/Quality Control Supervisor. More information at  https://www.aspenllc.com/   18:04 - Milberger Farms - Shane Milberger Owner/Operator. More information at http://milbergerfarms.com/   28:26 - Colorado Department of Agriculture's Produce Safety Manager with Inspection and Consumer Services - Duane Sinning (duane.sinning@state.co.us). More information: coproducesafety.org http://freshproduce.colostate.edu/ https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-modernization-act-fsma/fsma-final-rule-produce-safety

Episode 9 - GAP Audits, opening more market pathways for your products!

Has anyone in your family's operation considered what might happen after retirement or the passing of a matriarch or patriarch of the family? Many family operations do not have an estate or succession plan in place. In this month's episode, we take a look at the process of starting a plan or how to find resources to help!   Lori Hulbert - 1:10  Amanda Matthews - 19:30  Mark A. Gallegos - 35:10   Lori Hulbert - SGR, LLC - Attorney - lhulbert@sgrllc.com   Amanda Matthews - Highland Stock Farms - Rancher - amandagracematthews@gmail.com    Mark A. Gallegos - Colorado Department Agriculture - MarkA.Gallegos@state.co.us - 303.869.9090 

Episode 8 - Leaving your Legacy: Taking a look into Estate and Succession Planning

You might be ready to make the leap from cottage foods in your own kitchen to a shared commercial kitchen space. This is a big leap, but one that many companies need to make to continue to grow. Join us for this months episode, where we dive into business incubators and commissary kitchens. We talk with a company who grew out of a commissary and into their own facility, a commissary kitchen owner who thrives on her tenants succeeding, and a business incubator that not only has a commercial kitchen but offers lots of other business resources. They have some good advice and we can't wait to share it with you!    0:58 Laura Mercier - Grand Junction Business Incubator - Info Here!   22:00 Justin Park- The Real Dill - Info Here!   45:00 Alexandra - Commissary 5280 - Info Here!

Episode 7 - Make the Leap from Cottage Foods in Your Own Kitchen to a Shared Commercial Kitchen Space

Your product is popular and selling...you're doing well at farmers' markets. Now, how do you get your product onto retail shelves and beyond? In our next episode, "Ready for Retail? Steps for Success," we'll discuss the logistics of your supply chain, transportation, and winning the distribution game. Join us and get ready for some insider tips and tricks in this episode of Cultivation Station.   Order of appearance: Ben Deda, CEO of FoodMaven Ashley Warsh, CDA Markets Division International Marketing Assistance - ashley.warsh@state.co.us Darrelle Weyant, Vendor Relations Manager of  LoCo Foods Rob and Tiana, Owners of FishSki Provisions

Episode 6 - Ready for Retail? Steps for Success

Interested in selling your own home-grown produce at farmers' markets, roadside stands or through Community Supported Agriculture programs? This episode will help guide you through the process. We talk with a family farm that operates the largest CSA program in the Denver area, our own Colorado Proud program manager, Colorado State Extension Food Systems team, and the Colorado Farmers Market Association. Most importantly, we put the COVID-19 lens on this summer's situation and learn how to be adaptable and successful. All you need to know to begin selling your produce is right here on the Cultivation Station!   Listening Legend and Resources: 1:00 minute Fleischer Family Farm 17:00 minutes Wendy White - Colorado Proud 23:30 minutes Martha Sullins and Christy Dice - Colorado State University Extension 41:20 minutes Rosalind May - Colorado Farmers Market Association   Resources: Fleischerfamilyfarm.com Coloradoproud.org Foodsystems.colostate.edu cofarmersmarkets.org cofarmtomarket.com danielle.trotta@state.co.us

Episode 5 - Sell Your Produce at Farmers' Markets, Roadside Stands & More this Season

Have you considering or are you already selling animal protein products off of your farm, ranch, or small acreage? It is a great way to diversify your operation and add some income to your bottom line. In this episode, we will explore all it takes to sell animal protein products off of your place.   Listening Legend and Resources:   0:45 - Inspector Consumer Services, Steve Blunt - Differences between processing facilities and a plan of action.   6:34 - Valley Packing and Catering Custom Exempt Plant, Luke Miller - What you need to know and plan for your processing appointment.   9:52 - Elizabeth Meat Locker USDA Inspected Plant, Justin Hundley -  What you need to know and plan for your processing appointment.   13:50 - Prosper Meats, Julie Mackay - Selling beef on-line.   23:26 - Triple M Bar Ranch, Mary Miller - Selling lamb at farmers markets.   40:35 - Where Food Comes From, Inc., Leann Saunders - Value added distinctions and market differentiation.   40:58 - Colorado State University Food Systems Extension, Martha Sullins - Producer issues and resources and consumer trends.   Inspection and Consumer Services - https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/aginspection steve.blunt@state.co.us USDA - https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations Valley Packing and Catering - https://www.valleypacking.com/ Elizabeth Meat Locker - https://www.facebook.com/elpcolorado/ Prosper Meats - https://prospermeats.com/ Triple M Bar Ranch - https://www.triplembar.com/ Where Food Comes From, Inc - http://wherefoodcomesfrom.com/ Colorado State University Food Systems -https://foodsystems.colostate.edu/ , https://cofarmtomarket.com/  Martha Sullins - martha.sullins@colostate.edu Colorado Proud - https://www.colorado.gov/agmarkets/colorado-proud 

Episode 4 - Protein Potential: Selling for Your Future

In this episode of Cultivation Station our guest is Sari Kimbell, a food business consultant who is well versed in the realm of business promotion. We discuss marketing tips and tricks, networking, and how to navigate the startup and idea process. Sari is passionate about her successful work of promoting heros in the local food system.   Find more information post-podcast here: Sari Kimbell Food Business Consulting

Episode 3 - You Can Be A Marketing Hero

Have you ever wondered how to turn your famous recipe into a sellable product? In this episode of Cultivation Station we explore the Colorado Cottage food act with Brianne Rael, Environmental Protection Specialist with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. It’s a complex topic, and we take things nice and slow to help you gain a basic understanding of the act.    Find more information post-podcast here: Farm to Table with Colorado State University.

Episode 2 - From Kitchen to Consumer

This episode of Cultivation Station explores the economic climate of small food and ag businesses in Colorado. Our guests are Dr. Dawn Thilmany and Dr. Becca Jablonski of Colorado State University's College of Agricultural Sciences in Agricultural & Resource Economics. Both have conducted extensive research specifically related to the economics of small food and ag businesses. Links mentioned in the podcast: Farm to Table with Colorado State University Ag and Resource Economics Department Outreach with Colorado State University Food Systems with Colorado State University

Episode 1 - Show Me The Money

Cultivation Station, a business development podcast from The Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Colorado Proud program, dives into the rich and diverse world of food and agricultural businesses. Whether you’re just beginning to think about starting a food or ag business in Colorado, or your operation is already up and running, the many topics covered, expert insight and insider tips and tricks can help you be successful!

hubhopper

Cultivation Station

hubhopper