Marketing in Motion Blog

As discussed in previous Marketing in Motion Blog posts, social media has become an important tool for small farm and direct to consumer marketing, especially for communicating and staying in touch with customers. One tool in particular that is now common...

A farm shop is a permanent or semi-permanent structure where farm products from a specific farm or multiple farms, both fresh and processed (such as jams, honey and cheese), are offered for direct sale to consumers. Shops are normally open to the public y...

It’s been four months since Utah public schools closed on March 16 and I’d like to take the time to explain a bit about how our food system was impacted by COVID-19 and why. For some of you, these impacts may be obvious, but certainly not to all.

In today’s blog, I will discuss the state of consumer spending nationwide and in Utah, specifically related to food and markets of interest to you. I’ll also cover meat processing trends and agricultural labor issues.

In today’s blog, I will cover in more detail the impacts of COVID-19 on consumers and local food systems. While consumer spending in general is down nationwide (-20.5% through April 30, 2020) and in Utah (-17.5%), consumer spending on groceries

Today’s blog is the final in a four-part series on options and strategies for online direct sales of local farm products. In this edition, I will discuss online strategies for customer communication and relationship building.

Today’s blog is the third in a four-part series on options and strategies for online direct sales of local farm products. In this edition, I will discuss using social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, for local food sales and promotion. Your...

Today’s blog is the second in a four-part series on options and strategies for online direct sales of local farm products. In this edition, I will focus on online stores, sometimes referred to as an online marketplace, online farmers’ market, farm stand, ...

The first in a four-part series on options and strategies for online direct sales of local farm products. In this edition, I will focus on more traditional “distanced” direct sales outlets and other “easy” online sales options. Specifically, community sup...

As we all know, food markets change rapidly as consumer preferences evolve and respond to new information, trends, and fads. However, due to the recent outbreak of COVID-19, food markets and supply chains are changing at an even faster rate, daily in some...