Bad day at the office

[Hilary B]

There is only one reason I don't buy veg from you sewer rat.. GEOGRAPHY!
Your ex-customers must buy other foodstuffs etc from a supermarket somewhere, tell them that if they want you to still be around after the summer (i.e. when they run out of their own efforts) they need to find you a few more summer customers. If everyone who has 'wandered off for the summer' talks to people they meet in the supermarket about how wonderful your produce is, and how the only reason they aren't buying it just now is their own garden........

[Sue]

Hi SR
Do you grow much fruit? I've noticed that come summer the stalls at the farmer's market have increased with the local fruit farmers bringing in their crops. Most newbie growers are never going to get anywhere near enough fruit for their needs.

The potato man seems to still be doing good business, he has a huge range with many unusual varieties.

And the other success last week was a man with huge bunches of sweet peas, all gone in two hours.

I hope things improve for you
Sue

[marathon]

Hang in there the GYO bug will wear off it always does. OUr site and the huge site up the road are allready starting to notice that people are getting bored with GYO.

There seems to be those of us that will always happily grow our own food rain or shine but seems a lot of people who see it as the fashionable thing to do. The later are already starting to give up. This week I har to write to two plot holders that haven't looked after their plots, they don't seem to understand that weeding needs to be done more than the few times in April and May. The site up the road has the same problem they think that over 10 plots will be given up.

The veg box people around here are offering a smaller free salad box with a large veg box and I know a few mums at the school have placed an order. I guess more people dabbles in summer crops but don't grow all year round so maybe it will pick up in a few months.

[Pumpkin Becki]

Oh Rat, don't give up. You're such a grafter, you've put so much into this.

What about bees - make and sell your own honey (as well as benefiting pollination), what about concentrating on those hard to grow crops - I know I'm rubbish at brassicas, and still have to buy them from the shop, new GYOers might face the same problem and need to boost their own produce with yours.

I also notice you don't have a web link on your posts - you've got to advertise, Tattieman does it, why shouldn't you (I know its slightly different and the idea of box schemes are that they are local produce for local customers, but you never know whos looking in).

[Nicos]

Oh dear Rat- that doesn't sound good

Are you actually clearing your crops or getting a bit of a surplus?
As the others say- I'm sure a lot of new GYO peeps will pack it in what with all the watering this summer...too much like hard work.

Have you put out a questionnaire to present and former clients- or just leave some in the library/papershop/offlicence etc to see what tey would like to see in a box???...demands may have changed in the past couple of years.

[vicky]

Hope it gets better soon. Can you make your excess into lovely jams and pickles for selling at a later date?
Or as a novel suggestion have a day off during the summer and enjoy your family

[Flummery]

I think Rat DOES make soups and pickles etc. I really hope things pick up for you soon. You are doing what some of us would have loved to do (20 years ago, for me!). Surely people will be back when they find the quality and flavour aren't what they've been used to from you?

Hope things look up soon. Don't give up lad!

[SlugLobber]

Try not to be too down-hearted, SR. The GYO season is quite short for most people and although I have my own lettuce, potatoes etc for the mo, I know that when you have limited plants/space, it doesn't take that long to get through your own stuff and after that they won't want to go back to supermarket tripe in a hurry.

I know that our local car boot sale has a fruit and veg stand. Is there an option for you to do this at one of your regular sales?

[Hilary B]

How far afield do you go?

[Snadger]

I hope things turn around for you rat as you appear to have put your heart and soul into your business!

[Polly Fouracre]

Are you fronting a road, how about a little stall a couple of times a week. Pensioners and parents taking children to school would love that!

[jackie j]

If only you lived nearer, there is a van that delivers near me and I keep thinking I should aproach him next time I see him, I would rather buy my stuff I dont grow or fail, from someone like you than the supermarket. You have made me think again that I should support a fellow grower.
Hope things pick up for you soon, some good suggestions above.

[NOG]

This fashion of GYO will pass soon.

[MrsC]

SW - why not join them then? There will only be a certain percentage wanting to grow their own, but if they are people wanting to have a go, why not sell boxes with all the necessaries and basic leaflets. They may take it up, but I think the majority will come back when they realise the time, commitment and effort that is needed. Just a thought

[HayleyB]

C'mon Ratty, it's tough out there as I well know but you have to keep fighting.

Our local veg box providers have recently opened a farm shop at our local (very popular) garden centre. Only four days a week in a lodge style summer house selling theirs and local produce within a 15 mile radius, Cheese from Wobbly Bottom Farm in Hitchin, free range chook, local venison, meat from my mate Kev etc etc. They are doing better than they had projected and Val reckons they projected what she thought too high.

As they say, when the going gets tough.........