Best Selling Microgreens
The best-selling microgreens are sunflower, arugula, broccoli, basil, celery, cilantro, and mustard microgreens. They have a big demand and have a nice profit margin.
Are Microgreens in Demand?
Yes, microgreens are in demand and are expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.5% during (2020-2025). They are becoming more popular each year because of the renewed interest in all things health and wellness.
Which microgreens are in demand the most?
Amaranth, chard, and beet microgreens are in demand the most. These are commonly used as a garnish and are a great addition to salads. The industry is growing and we will see the rise of new favorites during the following months and years to come.
Microgreens Profit Per Tray.
A 1020 tray can bring a gross profit of $20-$30 in about a week on average. Depending on the demand of the specific type of microgreens, profit can go over $40 per tray. Let’s say you have 10 trays that bring you a profit of $20 each, in one month you will have a profit of $800.
Seed soil and electricity are the main expenses you will encounter. But you need to remember about, consumables, packaging, shipping, insurance, hardware, etc.
How Much Do Microgreens Cost Per Pound?
A pound of microgreens costs $25-$40, depending on the type of greens you sell. It is important to check your local prices before deciding on how much you are willing to sell your labor for. Make sure you deduct the cost for producing one pound of greens in order to calculate your profit margin.
How to Sell Microgreens to Grocery Stores?
The best way to sell microgreens to your local grocery store is to approach them with a bulk mentality. You will sell your product for less but you will make a bigger profit in the long run because of the amount you are producing and dispatching to the grocery stores.
Large grocery chains are willing to buy from small local suppliers but beware that most of them already have contracts with large distributors.
Try targeting small local groceries that are family-owned. They like to support local growers because of the quality of the product.
How to Sell Microgreens to Restaurants?
Selling to a restaurant is not an easy job. First, you will need to talk to the chef directly when pitching your microgreens. Nobody else is capable of appreciating the quality of your harvest except him, he will take the decision of using your product with the food he will be serving to the customer.
How do you get the attention of a restaurant Chef?
- Know your restaurant.
You need to make sure you know what’s on the menu. The product you are pitching must fit right in with the dishes that are served.
- Use social networks.
Try and find the restaurant you are trying to pitch your microgreens to on the web. These days, even the smallest coffee shop has a Facebook page or Instagram. Try contacting them there and make an appointment with the Chef.
- Make it quick!
Do not waste their time. Practice your pitch in front of the mirror at least a few times before you go and meet the man that will decide if your greens are worth it or not. Make the first 20 seconds count. Introduce yourself and the product, make it worth their time.
- Help them visualize.
Come prepared with a few recipes that you have improved with the greens that you offer. A good story can sell the product but make it snappy, the Chef does not want to hear anything about your grandmother and her love for radish.
- Bring samples.
No picture or brochure will help you sell your harvest better than the product itself, the Chef must touch, feel, smell, taste and compare it to something. Personal experience will help you close a deal.
Good Luck!
How to Sell Microgreens as a Subscription
Internet ads, brochures, and free samples are the best things you can do to find consumers directly.
1. How to sell microgreens with paid ads on the internet?
Learning how to use paid ads on Facebook, Instagram, Google, and Pinterest will open up a whole new market for you. But let’s keep it short because you will drown in information if this is your first time hearing about this.
There is no need to spend money on courses, here is what you need to do in order to familiarize yourself with internet ads.
- Search on YouTube for:
How to create Facebook/Instagram/Google/Pinterest ads?
This will give you a visual representation of how all platforms work. From there you can hop from video to video in the recommended feed. This way you will familiarize yourself with the notion of Internet Marketing and Paid ads.
2. Brochures and Flyers
An old but proven method of spreading the word about your business to local customers.
How do you effectively use this method? Well, it’s not that hard but it’s easy to mess it up, so let’s do it right.
- Find a designer that will make you a one or two-sided flyer.
This will cost you somewhere between $20-$50. You can find someone on Fiverr that will deliver exactly what you want. Make sure that you have all your social media, email, website on the print so that the customer can contact you.
3. Free sample giveaways.
This one is straightforward. Grab a bunch of samples, diversify them, don’t bring just one type of microgreens, and visit your local market once a week. Make sure you give people your contacts in case they wish to order your product.
Growing Microgreens on a Budget.
Growing microgreens on a budget are not difficult. Your two most important purchases are quality seeds and soil. Everything else can be second-hand. Use the power of the sun to grow your greens, trays can be homemade or improvised from other containers, also the water can be rainwater or tap water.
Can You Vacuum Seal Microgreens?
Vacuum sealing is one of the best ways to store tender microgreens. Blanching the greens for a very brief moment should be frozen to stay fresh even longer. This can be done in plastic bags or glass jars, make sure you have a good vacuum sealer.
What Size Clamshells are Good for Microgreens?
The best size for 2 ounces of microgreens is 6 oz. clear vented container. You can get this packaging for really cheap and it is readily available.
Packaging Microgreens for Restaurants.
The best packaging for a restaurant is a simple clear plastic bag. The chef does not need a fancy package, he needs the product and he needs it fast! Make sure everything is clean, fresh, and delivered on time!
