Restaurants, groceries, wholesalers, and other retailers play key roles in building a strong local food system. Businesses that have made a commitment to source and identify local foods may register to become partners in ASAP’s Appalachian Grown certification program. By becoming an Appalachian Grown partner, you help consumers better identify local food and promote your support of local farms. ASAP offers sourcing, networking, and marketing support for for Appalachian Grown partner businesses.
Local Food Guide: Partners that buy Appalachian Grown farm products can be included in ASAP’s Local Food Guide. Offered in print and online, the guide is the go-to resource for local food supporters. The free online guide at appalachiangrown.org offers a searchable database for customers looking for farms, products, and area businesses featuring local food. More than 50,000 copies of the print edition are distributed annually throughout the region, providing you the opportunity to highlight your business’ commitment to supporting local farms through listings or display ads.
Wholesale Local Food Guide: This online resource connects buyers and sellers of Appalachian Grown products. Include products you are seeking when you create a free listing in the online Local Food Guide or search for farms offering products on the wholesale level at appalachiangrown.org/wholesale.
One-on-One Consultations: ASAP offers free one-on-one consulting to discuss local sourcing options, pathways for connecting with the local farm and food community, and opportunities to highlight your relationship with Appalachian Grown farms. See Tips for Buying from Local Farmers.
Market Connections: Whether you are you looking for that special seasonal ingredient or a reliable source for year-round Appalachian Grown products, ASAP can help you narrow down your search and connect you with farms or distributors that fit your needs.
Grower-Buyer Meetings: Grower-Buyer Meetings are like speed-dating for local farms and buyers. Sit down with farmers to start a conversation about your sourcing needs and their product availability. Stay connected with ASAP for upcoming opportunities and events.
Door Stickers: We provide annual Appalachian Grown Partner door stickers for all partner businesses to highlight your support of local food and farms.
Farm Profiles & Product Posters: Profiles of farmers and other promotional materials are available for display in your restaurant, store, or on your website. Displaying these images is a great way to share the story behind food from our region and highlight Appalachian Grown food at the point of purchase. See a list of Appalachian Grown Promotional Materials for Partner Businesses.
Digital Artwork: The Appalachian Grown logo is available electronically in a variety of formats and colors for use by our partners in advertising and marketing. Add the logo to your menu or website to delineate certified local farms and products. View the Appalachian Grown Marketing Guide.
Community Events Calendar and Classifieds: Post your business’s local food and farm related events or services, and we’ll promote them to our community through our listserv and weekly newsletters.
Networking: Being an Appalachian Grown partner business offers you the opportunity to connect with other buyers, farmers, and community members in the local food movement through events, websites, social media, and more.
Social Media: ASAP uses Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to promote local food, news, and happenings in our region. Connect with ASAP’s social media posts to align your business with the region’s local food movement. Use #appalachiangrown and tag your posts @asapconnections.
If you can’t find the resources you need online, please contact us for additional support and consultation.
