Last year some really close friends introduced us to Amish produce auctions. It was a great way to save money on the food that we would normally buy in the grocery store, PLUS it was much better quality. The only problem was that almost everything had to be bought in bulk. As a result we would always have more than we could use ourselves. So, we would sell some to family and friends. It would help pay for some of the gas expenses of going to the auctions, and we were also able to pass on some of the savings to them. It wasn't long before we were tickling the idea of opening a Farmer's Market stand.
In the end, my wife talked some sense and brought me back down to earth. As fun as it sounded we couldn't take on the financial risk of having a physical location (Farmer's Market Booth). If this didn't work out we could be a couple thousand dollars in the hole at the end of the year. In five or ten years we could probably survive that kind of loss better, but right now that would devastate our family. So, we decided to start this journey with some small steps. We are still going to try a "farmer's market" business, but our "booth" will be set up on social media platforms.
In addition to this blog we have set up a Facebook page and a Twitter account. Other accounts (ie youtube, instagram, etc) may get set up later, but for now it's just those three. We will make announcements on these sites about when we will be making a trip to the auctions. Let's us know if you want something in particular (such as corn, tomatoes, blueberries, etc, etc, etc). If enough people want it we will bid on it, and hopefully get it. The more people who want something, the more we'll buy. When we buy larger bulks, the cheaper the cost. Lower costs means more savings passed on to you.
When we're at the auctions we will post on Twitter; giving you on the spot updates on what's available and what we've acquired. At the end of the day we'll get back on Facebook and this blog, and let you know the prices. Then you can come by our home and pick out your high quality, low cost produce. If you're busy and cannot make it to our house, then email or call us with an order and we can deliver for a small fee (note: delivery only available in Lexington and TMMK).
2015 is the first year we've done this, so I don't know what the interest will be like. The more interest and orders we get, the more often we'll go refresh our stock. Maybe this will be the only year we do this...maybe we have to get a bigger truck to haul all delicious produce and fill orders. The success of this journey is up to you. If you'd like us to supply you with delicious, healthy, high quality Amish grown produce, then please Like and Follow us. Then go tell you friends and family about us too. Then tell your friends to tell their friends. The more people that participate, the savings that are available to pass on to you.
Leave us a comment here, on Facebook, Twitter, or send us an email at LexFarmFresh [at] gmail.com.
