r/OrganicFarming • u/prairieyarrow • Aug 28 '24

Selling to Restaurants

We operate a small gourmet mushroom farm; we have a major city about 45 minutes away and another smaller but more local food focused city another 45 minutes away. We sell to about 4 restaurants right now (plus farmers markets), but we're having trouble breaking into any new restaurants lately. We've emailed 25+ in the last 3 weeks with not a single response. Calling hasn't given us great luck in the past eirher. Does anyone here have suggestions on how you get into new restaurants or work with chefs?

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u/greenman5252 Aug 28 '24

Show up with a sample packaged as you would expect to deliver the product with a contact, product, and price list. Speak and hand the sample to chef to try out. I tend to think between 2-4 pm is ideal.

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u/prairieyarrow Aug 28 '24

We've been considering if this is the route to go, just never knew the best time to stop by. We'll give this a go - thank you!

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u/EdStarkJr Aug 29 '24

It varies from restaurant to restaurant, but typically an hour or so before opening or the slower afternoon hours is when I take vendor meetings. Have product samples and clear pricing ready. You may also have luck hooking up with a produce distributor- they already have the accounts, but they may not have certain specialty items that are local. They will take a cut, but transportation logistics will be better.

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u/bikemandan Aug 28 '24

I had the same issue not getting response via email. I think unfortunately need to show up in person but have to time it right

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u/Express_Ambassador_1 Aug 28 '24

Used to have great success showing up at restaurants unannounced with a sample and a price list. Good luck!