Farm shop help please

[miss_corerupted]

Hi,
My boyfiend and i live on an organic beef farm. He has been hoping to set up a farm shop but we really haven't got a clue where to start what to do etc. I was wondering if anyone else on here had done the same or if anyone had advice on what to grow etc.

Thanks

(sorry if it in the wrong forum)

[quark1]

Perhaps visit some local rival establishments to get ideas of what to sell, how to best display and relative pricing scales for your area. you could even give thought to making your propsed shop different - is there something you could offer be it a fruit, veg, product or service that no-one in the area offers right now? Also consider delivery services if quantities of produce large enough, if produced on site and regular enough - organic and/or seasonal boxes are quite poplular these days but must be reliable.

I think if stuff is going to be officially sold to the public you may have to adhere to minimum food standards - suggest you contact local authority. This will defo apply if you are going to make things like preserves, chutneys, pies etc as food hygiene standards will appply.

If this is to be an offshoot of the current business in situ then perhaps no more need be done tax-wise - but it would be worth looking into tax position vis a vis a new business - particularly if it is to stand alone from main enterprise.

Oh yes - good luck!

[sewer rat]

Hi
I run market garden and sell fruit and veg from the site, at local farmers markets and oprate a box delivery scheme. Don't have time just now but will give a fuller reply over the weekend

[miss_corerupted]

thank you it's a lot to think about espcially as i don't really know a lot about farms etc. Farm is about 40 acres i think and they just breed and then sell the cattle at the market.

I say just i'm sure there is a lot more to it then that lol.
Going around over buisnesses sounds a good idea as a start before anything eles.

thanks

[Starchild]

You need to find out from the council about food hygiene regulations, planning permission, whether business rates will be applicable to the shop apart from the farm. Parking for customers, change of use etc.

[Demeter]

There's bound to be an organisation or two dedicated to helping out people in your situation.

Here's one, for starters: FARMA - Home
They can apparently advise members on setting up and running their own farm shop: http://www.farma.org.uk/membership.htm

Also worth talking to your local small business advisory service. The govt have got a service called businesslink, which will give you a heads up on the various things that you'll need to think about before you get started Business support, information and advice | Business Link

Good luck it sounds exciting

[sewer rat]

Just a quick reply before I go out to my night job. You need to identify the following first .
1. Is there a demand for such a facility in your geographical area ?
2. Are there any established competitors nearby ?
3. What is the population catchment area of your proposed site ?
4. Is the proposed site likely to pick up passing trade ?
5. Are other local growers / producers willing and able to supply produce ?
6. Do you wanna sell only organic produce or a mix of local and organic ?

There are loads of others but if I start on them now I'll be late for work.

If you pm me your e mail address I can work on a whole raft of points over the weekend and mail it to you when I'm finished.

[miss_corerupted]

wow a lot more to think about than i thought!!! Shall have to get my bum in gear lol

sewer rat i'm just pm my address to you now t

thanks again

[TonyF]

I'd also ask the Soil Association if you're on an organic meat farm and want the shop to be registered/fit in and Garden Organic (old HDRA) at Ryton.