These articles are written resources that provide insights into building and funding profitable food, beverage and value-added farm businesses. They include editions of our free Edible-Alpha® Insights newsletter, Edible-Alpha’s® twice monthly roundup of the best food and beverage finance news, events and resources from Edible-Alpha® and around the web. These emails will be coming to you as “Edible-Alpha® Insights” from info@edible-alpha.org every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month. These are currently all free. Learn more about our Premium Subscription to unlock everything Edible-Alpha® has to offer.
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8 Ways to Ace Farm-to-Consumer Sales
10 minute read of Free article by Edible-Alpha®
Most farmers aren’t natural-born marketers or experienced at direct sales. For many, the whole idea is scary. But with 93% of Americans buying products online last year and more people wanting relationships with local producers, farmers should strongly consider tapping into this booming market.
Why Food Brands Should Explore Sustainable Packaging Now
10 minute read of Free article by Edible-Alpha®
Many food and farm businesses have been prioritizing sustainable CPG packaging for years, choosing recyclable, compostable, or reusable solutions whenever possible. They feel strongly...
Article about Business Models for businesses that are Growing and Scaling
The Truth About Making Money Value-Adding
10 minute read of Free article by Edible-Alpha®
Value-added ag businesses are rarely instant moneymakers—they typically take time and a whole lot of learning. Discover what it really takes to launch and grow a thriving value-added enterprise.
Article about Business Models for businesses that are Growing and Scaling
From Founder to Team Builder—Are You Ready?
10 minute read of Free article by Edible-Alpha®
Founders can take their food businesses only so far before they max out their capacity. Unlocking the next phase of growth may require more hands on deck.
The Customer Is Always Right (Or, At Least They Are The Ones Who Pay...
10 minute Free read by Edible-Alpha®
Food businesses should align their products and branding with their target consumers and should use market research to understand what the marketplace is asking for. Acquiring and keeping customers is what drives successful businesses and customer preferences must be met in order to have a financially viable business.
Article about Sales and Marketing for businesses that are Pre-Venture | Startups
Advisors and Feedback Are Essential to Food Business Success
10 minute Free read by Edible-Alpha®
Most successful entrepreneurs have a network of support behind them, like an advisory team, board of directors and funders. These individuals provide mentorship and guidance that is invaluable for that company's success, augmenting what the entrepreneur and management team bring to the fold.
Article about Operations for businesses that are Pre-Venture | Startups
Cash Flow Basics (For Farmers)
11 minute Free read by Compeer Financial
Tight cash flow can be challenging, even for the most experienced grower. For a beginning farmer, however, a cash flow crunch can quickly become a disaster. An annual cash flow projection is a very useful tool for a farm. You plot out on a month-by-month basis when cash income will be received and when cash expenses will need to be paid.
Article about Operations for businesses that are Pre-Venture | Startups
When Your Food Business Should Go Online
10 minute Free read by Edible-Alpha®
Food businesses should know the role that online sales will play in their revenue stream and in their business model. Consumers are starting to become omnichannel in their food shopping expectations. Like most things in food entrepreneurship, it is best to let your customers lead the way, and if they expect to find you online, go online and conquer.
Article about Business Models for businesses that are Pre-Venture | Startups
Great Food Entrepreneurs Are Always Learning
10 minute Free read by Edible-Alpha®
The best entrepreneurs are getting constant feedback from their customers, reaching out to potential mentors for advice and attending industry events and tradeshows to network with and learn from their peers and industry veterans. This learning can lead entrepreneurs to radically change directions in their business model, product or packaging.
Article about Operations for businesses that are Pre-Venture | Startups
Market Research Might Disprove Your Assumptions
10 minute Free read by Edible-Alpha®
Sometimes certain products or certain classes of products make more sense in certain markets than others. For example, heavy or perishable food items make less sense to sell online due to the shipping costs and logistics involved. But unconventional markets could make sense if location or customer data suggests it is a good idea.
Article about Sales and Marketing for businesses that are Pre-Venture | Startups