NEW YORK — The Farmers Market Federation of New York is bringing its farmers markets online in an effort to increase access to local food across the state.
This winter, the Federation is launching the FreshFoodNY app, a virtual farmers market where New York buyers can purchase local food from the state’s farmers, fishermen and artisans. Through the app, buyers can discover new purveyors, pre-order seasonally-available products and then select from convenient pickup locations, including farmers markets.
The Federation has partnered with Rhode Island-based food technology company Crave Food Systems to build and promote this first unifying local food brand and online marketplace.
In a time when shopping trends juxtapose a consumer desire for local, farm-fresh food against their affinity for convenient, online shopping, the Federation found an increasing need to be competitive.
“Our markets are losing customer base because consumers are looking for more convenient means of food shopping,” said Diane Eggert, executive director of the Federation. “The FreshFoodNY app will help our markets overcome the downward trend we’re seeing in customer participation by connecting farmers and consumers online to make buying local easier.”
The technology is designed to benefit New York’s purveyors and consumers. By making local food accessible online, the app will increase business for purveyors and draw consumers into farmers markets to pick up their pre-ordered groceries.
“We’re incredibly excited for this opportunity to empower the Farmers Market Federation of New York with this technology and for the positive impact it will make for the farmers, fishermen and artisans of the great state of New York,” Matt Tortora, co-founder and CEO of Crave Food Systems said. “The convenience the FreshFoodNY app offers will make it possible for more consumers to support their farmers and will also finally give those producers eCommerce capabilities.”
The FreshFoodNY app is slated to become available for consumer download in early 2018. For more information, eaters can visit ny.sourcewhatsgood.com.
About Crave Food Systems: Crave Food Systems Corporation (CFS), established in 2014, is a food technology company that brings eCommerce and marketing tools to farmers, fishermen, artisans and the local communities they serve. CFS believes the right technology can open the door to healthier food for all. Its digital platform, the WhatsGood Marketplace™, helps buyers discover local food sources and purchase food online, all in support of the local food community.
About the Farmers Market Federation of New York: The Farmers Market Federation of New York is a grassroots membership organization of farmers’ market managers, market sponsors, farmers and market supporters. The Federation has developed a spectrum of services to increase the number and capacity of farmers markets in the state and improve the ability of markets to serve their farmers, their consumers and their host communities.
—Crave Food Systems
via PRNewswire
For more articles out of New York, click here.
