New Findlay Market Friend--Already

Twitter is amazing. I searched Findlay Market and found tweets by several vendors. I then tweeted this: Excited to meet some of the other vendors at Findlay Market. See you Tues @worldfoodbar @tasteofbelgium @dojogelato. Almost immediately I heard back from @worldfoodbar...Josh Campbell is a gourmet food vendor at Findlay Market and is also about to open a new breakfast/lunch restaurant called Mayberry. We've exchanged several tweets and I already feel like I know Josh even though we have yet to meet in person. We've offered to help Josh with wholesale produce he might need; he's offered to help us with anything we might need as we get started at Findlay Market. And there's another weird connection---Josh is a graduate of Winton Woods High School! Small world.
Looking forward to connecting with more vendors soon...on-line and in person starting Tuesday, November 3!

Daisy Mae's Opening at Findlay Market!

Yes, it's true! We'll be opening our fresh produce market at historic Findlay Market in downtown Cincinnati starting November 3. We'll be open Tuesday through Sunday. We're thrilled about the potential and look forward to meeting old friends and new at this location. Check back soon for more details.

Findlay Market Meeting

Yesterday Barry and Jeff met with the management at Findlay Market. The Market has been trying to find another produce vendor for several weeks. After going full circle with several suburban locations---and telling people we wanted to be a "Findlay Market North," we've decided maybe the REAL Findlay Market is where we need to be. The reputation and customer base are already established, and the best part is that THEY want US.
Barry spent a big part of the day after the meeting investigating the food stamp program. Food stamps are a huge part of business at Findlay Market. You need the actual machine to process the food stamps, and the machine requires telephone service. However, Findlay Market has wireless internet now...so a wireless food stamp machine is also a possibility.
Jeff checked out heaters and tents yesterday as well. There are some logistics issues as far as loading and unloading, and we'll need to have electric service for lighting. Lots to think about...
And today I'll be checking on insurance. Stay tuned.

Parish Produce Program

We are expanding our mobile produce service. We have designed a program where non-profit groups, initially churches, can set up and operate their own produce markets. Here's how it works: The church pre-orders fruits and vegetables by the case. We deliver the order at a pre-arranged time. The church decides pricing and hours of operation, and arranges for volunteers to man the market.
Since we have fresh fruits and vegetables available year-round, the market can be open at whatever times work best for the particular organization. Most churches arrange delivery so that produce can be sold to parishioners following the weekly service. Youth groups, choirs, or other subgroups within the church share responsibility for set-up, sales, and take-down. Some items are seasonal so availability and pricing are posted weekly on our website at www.daisymaesmarket.com.
Each church has the option to expand its produce market to the local neighborhood as part of a community outreach program. Churches also have the option of donating any leftovers to a local food pantry.
The best part is the profit potential. For example, if a group purchases a 25 lb. case of tomatoes from Daisy Mae's Market for $15, they may then sell the tomatoes for $1/lb. and realize a profit of $10 per case. Most items have a profit potential of 40-50% so if 200 parishioners spend $7 each per week at the market, there is a potential to earn about $700 per week for your organization's fundraising needs.
Everyone loves fresh produce, and we've found parishioners love the idea of shopping "on location" after church. The secret is to be consistent. Once your customers realize you offer FRESH produce on a regular basis, your profits will grow.
It's a win-win-win situation for everyone. Healthy foods, fundraising, outreach all in one!