Grower-buyer meetings are a chance for farmers and producers to introduce themselves to grocers, distributors, and chefs and discuss products and potential interest. There are no promises made and no contracts signed; it’s just a chance to open a door and follow up later. For growers who are just getting started, this is a great opportunity to learn about individual buyer requirements.
The Grower-Buyer Meeting will be held during the extended lunch at ASAP’s Business of Farming Conference on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, approximately 12:15 to 2:15, at Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock, NC. The meeting is open to anyone attending the conference. Participating buyers will be announced in early February.
In addition to the annual Grower-Buyer Meeting at the Business of Farming Conference, ASAP offers periodic stand-alone events, both virtually and in person. Are you a buyer interested in meeting with local farmers? Contact David Smiley with any questions.
Participating Buyers
Boone Street Market
Location: Jonesborough, TN
Description: Nonprofit year-round specialty grocery and farmers market.
Desired Products: unusual produce and value-added products
Requirements: Insurance; certifications are helpful
Caja Solidaria
Location: Hendersonville & Brevard, NC
Description: Nonprofit providing food to over 300 families per week for free.
Desired Products: fresh produce, whole grains, pasture raised meat, eggs, spices, cooking oils
Requirements: Organic and regenerative preferred
Department of Public Instruction (DPI)
Location: Dobson, NC
Description: Farm to School consultants present to help make connections between public school districts and local farmers.
Desired Products: fruits, vegetables, protein items, and value-added products
Requirements: Liability insurance; GAP and HACCP certified
Ecusta Market & Cafe
Location: Hendersonville, NC
Description: Grocery and cafe with focus on locally grown produce, meat, dairy, and artisanal goods.
Desired Products: meat, dairy, eggs, produce, and pantry goods
Requirements: Insurance; certifications are helpful, regenerative and sustainable practices preferred
Equal Plates Project
Location: Asheville, NC
Description: Nonprofit that aims to support local farmers and build community through donating scratch-made meals.
Desired Products: chicken, pork, greens, potatoes, parsnips, local produce with Winter & early Spring availability
Requirements: organic, sustainable, regenerative preferred
Finest Deli
Location: Asheville, NC
Description: Italian-American deli focused on local sourcing. Farmers market pop-ups and opening on Haywood Rd in Spring.
Desired Products: everything
Foothills Food Hub
Location: Marion, NC
Description: Nonprofit under McDowell Local Food Advisory Council that purchases local produce, meat, and eggs. We take these products and give them out to the community.
Desired Products: produce, meat, eggs
Requirements: organic and naturally grown preferred
Haywood Christian Ministry
Location: Waynesville, NC
Description: Food hub serving up to 7,000 households and purchasing over 240,000 lbs of local food at market rate annually.
Desired Products: produce, meats, cheese, butter, milk, eggs, bread, grains
Requirements: Product liability preferred, contracts available
The Hop Handcrafted Ice Cream
Location: Asheville, NC, multiple locations
Description: A small local ice cream producer focused on quality ingredients and uplifting our community.
Desired Products: fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, dairy, herbs, and appreciate unique offerings
Mother Earth Food
Location: Asheville, NC
Description: Home delivery business connecting local farmers with consumers and promoting sustainable, farm-to-table practices.
Desired Products: produce, meats, fish, value-added products
Requirements: prefer organic and sustainable practices, Humane Certified
Mountain Food Products
Location: Asheville, NC
Description: Wholesale produce company with a focus on local. In addition to serving Asheville area establishments, we offer a multi-farm CSA.
Desired Products: produce, herbs
Requirements: GAP is a plus
Red Stag Grill At The Grand Bohemian Hotel Asheville
Location: Asheville, NC
Description: Fine dining focusing on local market partnerships.
Desired Products: all local food/bev products, cheese, meats, grains, anything that is inspiring!
Requirements: Insurance
The Silo Cookhouse at The Horse Shoe Farm
Location: Hendersonville, NC
Description: Farm to table, semi fine dining restaurant in focusing on seasonality and availability.
Desired Products: produce, game meats, poultry, dairy
Requirements: Pesticide-free, ideally non-GMO
Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery
Location: Greenville, SC
Description: Kitchen, cafe, grocery, and food hub that support a sustainable food system and allow local farmers and food makers to thrive.
Desired Products: produce, eggs, meat
Requirements: Prefer organic practices
TRACTOR Food & Farms
Location: Spruce Pine, NC
Description: Nonprofit food hub serving Western North Carolina farmers and consumers through CSA, wholesale, and farmer support programs.
Desired Products: pears, truffles, grapes, strawberries, watermelons, asparagus, brussels sprouts, and persimmons
Requirements: Product liability insurance, CFSA Grower, farm visit
How to Prepare for a Grower-Buyer Meeting
Have farm materials available to share digitally. Helpful items might include:
- Price sheets
- Projected product availability
- Brochure or fact sheet with info about insurances, food safety, delivery terms and area, packaging, etc.
- Photos of the farm
- Product samples
Don’t be intimidated if you don’t have these items. Depending on the buyer and your stage of business development, a quick “get to know you chat” and a handshake might be right. The buyers we invite are friendly and are there to educate and inform as well as to source product.
Here are some questions you might like to ask:
- What are your specs for my product line? (size, packaging, ripeness, preferred cuts, etc.)
- What volume of my products might you be interested in purchasing?
- What insurance, food safety, and labeling/packaging requirements do you have?
- What is your preferred delivery schedule?
- How do you like to make orders? (phone call, fax form, email, etc.)
- How can I follow up on this meeting? What would be the right timing to connect again?