Project Overview
The 2005 SEMAP Business-to-Business Network involved 122 southeastern Massachusetts producer/buyer participants and generated sales of $300-$3000. Under previous NECRME and other funding, the Network continues to operate, with 100 grower and buyer members for the 2008 season. However, one major barrier to success became evident in 2005: distribution. Producers and buyers repeatedly reported distribution issues and needs. Buyers seek local product, growers seek B2B accounts, but neither has the labor/infrastructure to cost-effectively transport product. Long-term B2B success requires rebuilding local distribution systems.
In this project, we worked to help small groups of B2B Network producers assess local partners/national models for feasibility and implement pilot distribution efforts during the 2006 growing season. We then hoped these pilot efforts would expand and/or replicated for 2007.
In practice this project moved much more slowly and encountered many more hurdles than we expected. Several initially promising models did not work out, despite up to two years of effort. However, after an additional year of work this project has resulted in 2 successful pilot delivery systems, several related success stories of new B2B connections, and a host of lessons on the real issues involved. We´ve summarized four possible conclusions that we´re continuing to explore:
1: It´s not about delivery, actually
2: Face-to-face relationships trump.
3: It´s just a matter of time.
4: A nonprofit has to model or commission this.
Number of Participants: 30
PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
There are no promotional materials available for this project.
EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
There are no educational materials available for this project.
REPORTS & EVALUATIONS
There are no reports or evaluations available for this project.