12 Subscription Options for your Farm
The holiday season is quickly approaching, and your Farm products are the perfect gift! However, it’s important to package your goods to be a gift that keeps on giving (for Buyers, and also for your Farm sales). Create subscriptions that will please customers year round to help move your products more efficiently. No matter what you Farm, there are a variety of subscriptions you can package to sell.
Protein Subscriptions
Mixed Grill Box
Grill Boxes are a great opportunity for you to package a combination of low and high value products in one bundle. It also gives your Buyers the opportunity to try new products from your Farm in a single purchase.
Whether your Buyers are grill masters or novices, you can sell a Mixed Grill Box year-round, whether it's for a cookout or a holiday celebration.
You may choose to do a variety of grill box sizes, varying the weights and cuts of the proteins you include. You could also include spices for the perfect outcome. Some bundle ideas include:
Ground Pork, Pork Chops and Bratwursts
Spatch-kock Chickens and Chicken Sausage
Cubed Steak, Short Ribs and Carnivore Blend (Beef & Liver)
Ground Beef Patties, a Skirt Steak and T-Bone
Providing a box of different cuts and a mix of proteins will give Buyers options. You can spice the meat prior to packaging to upsell the product as ‘ready to throw on the grill’. The more variety of cuts, the higher value the box; earning you more revenue. View an example here.
2. Family Meal Kit
Family meals kits are the perfect product to eliminate stress from Buyers and improve the convenience and value of your Farm products. While you may only be able to supply proteins for the meal kit, you can source produce and spices from other local Farms.
This will not only add value to your bundle (increasing your margins), but also build partnerships in your community. Think about what pairs best with your protein cuts to build an attractive meal kit:
Rosemary-baked Chicken, with locally sourced red potatoes and green beans
Ribeye or Filet Mignon, served with spinach, corn on the cob and honey
Smoked turkey, with asparagus and great northern beans (could also add bacon!)
Consider seasoning and sauces to give you an edge for your Sales. Buyers will be pleased with these ready-to-go kits, packed with everything they need to complete a delicious, healthy meal. (Don’t forget to include the recipe!)
3. Special Event/Game Day Box
Sports are an occasion to gather year-round - Football (Fall/Winter), Basketball (Winter/Spring), Baseball (Spring/Summer) and a myriad of others (Golf, Nascar, Soccer).
There’s always a sporting event to watch, so Buyers will find a reason to celebrate accordingly. Selling bundle boxes for game day watch parties is sure to be a success no matter the season.
Game Day bundle boxes can work with any variety of Proteins you may harvest, including these recipe ideas:
Beef: Steaks & Burgers, Sloppy Joes, Chili, Tacos
Chicken: Buffalo Chicken, Wings, Nachos
Pork: Ribs, Pulled Pork, Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers, Pigs in a Blanket
Turkey: Meatballs, Turkey Sliders, Roasted Turkey Leg
Package your protein cuts for popular watch party meals and include recipe cards to make it easy and special for Buyers. Creating boxes that include all the ingredients for a Game Day dish will please Buyers and be great to market).
Note, you may choose to change the contents of the box depending on the season. Since these parties will take place year-round, you should begin Pre-Selling Game Day subscriptions now!
Produce Subscriptions
4. Fresh Seasonal Produce Box
You can offer Buyers a variety of products, depending on what produce is “fresh” on your Farm during the current season. Consumers want the best local products, and when you give them that option no matter the time of year, it’s a win-win.
Sell your best Farm products when they’re ready, and Buyers will consistently receive only the freshest products without having to guess! Here are a few ideas of how to “brand” your seasonal produce boxes: Fall Harvest, Winter Solstice, Spring Greens, Summer Bounty.
Be sure to describe what your Buyers can expect over a given season. For instance, the “Winter Solstice” box subscription may include “choice root vegetables, squash, beans and spices, perfect for cold weather vegetable stews, casseroles and soups.” Make your description emotional and appealing to the senses to entice Buyers (seeking familiarity in a season).
No matter what you grow, seasonal produce boxes can help ensure your products will leave your inventory. Buyers, too, will have access to a variety of your freshest products on a regular schedule. Include recipes to inspire customers with ideas of how to cook new or unfamiliar products.
Listen: Produce Packaging Basics
5. Base Produce Box
Certain products are popular year-round, because they can be used for so many different dishes. Think about the base vegetables that people use for meals: onions, lettuce, tomatoes, garlic, carrots.
Certain products seem to be used in most recipes, and your Buyers will want them on a consistent basis. Creating a base produce box will give your customers the products they always need, all in one package.
You can sell the base box in a variety of ways:
Salad Mix: Spring mix, romaine, carrots, tomatoes, cucumber, radishes and peppers
Mirepoix Box: Celery, onions, and carrots
Side Item Bundle: Potatoes, asparagus, brussels sprouts, green beans and corn
Consider the products that are most popular with your Buyers to help inform the best base box to sell. There are certain products your customers will always purchase, so make it easy by offering Subscription boxes.
6. Superfoods Bundle
Superfoods are nutrient-dense foods that support good health and personal well-being. Given the benefits, many Buyers will readily purchase a Superfoods bundle for their families.
Products in the Superfood category include: leafy greens, nuts, legumes, olive oil, berries, ginger, avocado, mushroom, salmon, yogurt, and more.
You can package a few Superfoods together into a bundle box (depending on what’s in season), and market the subscription as in-season Superfood meal kits.
Here are a few dishes and the Superfoods within them:
Eggroll Bowl: Olive oil, peppers, cabbage, onions, garlic, mushrooms, cauliflower, broccoli, celery (and your meat of choice and vinegar)
Green Salad: Lemon, pepper, anchovies, avocados, romaine, cucumber, snap peas, pistachios, edamame, and Greek yogurt
Red Lentil Soup: Garlic, yellow onion, ginger, spices, butternut squash, red lentils, carrots, lemon juice, Greek yogurt (and vegetable broth)
Packaging Superfood produce together in a way that provides Buyers with recipe ideas, too, can be an up-sell opportunity. Going the extra mile will always be appreciated by your customers, especially when the produce you offer is fresh and healthy.
Dairy Subscriptions
7. Got Dairy?
Dairy products are a staple for most households. As a Dairy Farm, you can produce a wide variety of products, providing flexibility to create a variety of subscriptions your Buyers will be eager to consume.
Most Dairy products are purchased regularly, making a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly subscription box convenient for your customers.
Consider providing these Dairy products as a standalone subscription, or bundled together: Milk, Cream, Butter, Cheese, Yogurt, Ice Cream.
8. Breakfast Bundle
Every household needs their staples for the most important meal of the day. Creating a breakfast bundle of foods that are typically enjoyed at breakfast time will be a hit.
These foods can include: Yogurt, Milk, Cream and Cream Cheese. Consider producing or partnering with another Farm, to assemble ready-for-consumer options:
Milk & Coffee Bundle: Milk, cream, and regular supply of coffee / espresso beans
Bagels & Cream Cheese: Fresh bagels and a variety of cream cheese spreads
Dairy & Eggs: Milk, eggs and the “fixings” for an Omelette (chopped proteins, veggies)
Other options to consider include granola, berries, honey or other seasonal or complementary products for a breakfast meal box. Adding these other goods will help you sell more and market a full bundle to consumers.
9. Dairy Roulette
If your Farm sells creative, specialty products, you can excite Buyers by offering the ultimate Dairy Roulette box! Though these aren’t the usual staples, they may still be specialty subscriptions available on a short-term or seasonal basis.
Packaging them together and marketing them as special items will pique the interest of Buyers. Some items may include:
Summer Ice Cream Mix: Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry Ice Cream (and Waffle Cones)
Flavored Milk Mix: Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry Milk
Holiday Cheer: Eggnog, Pumpkin Spice, Peppermint Milk
These unique products can be marketed as a “limited time” offer for a given season to encourage FOMO (the fear of missing out).
Since many local Farms do not offer these specialty products, it is an opportunity for your Farm to market and build loyalty with your Buyers (creating an exciting, new experience).
Value-Add Subscriptions
10. Keep the House Beautiful
Your Farm may offer specialty items that can freshen up a household. Certain household products are needed weekly or monthly, so creating a subscription that will refresh home goods for your Buyers will be a success.
Whether it’s a recurring subscription of a product or a seasonal refresh every month, Buyers will enjoy receiving value-add products to use around their home. Certain products may include:
Flowers: Seasonal Bouquets
Soaps: Goat Milk, Avocado Oil, Essential Oils
Candles: Votive, Pillar, Taper
Whether it’s a seasonal flower bouquet or a weekly soap subscription, you can offer a home bundle for all your Buyers’ needs.
11. Charcuterie Boards
No matter the time of year, your Buyers are always getting together for holidays, celebrations and events. Whatever the occasion, make it easy for your Buyers to host or bring your Farm products as a centerpiece to any event.
Charcuterie boards are always a fan favorite, so consider adding these products into a subscription bundle:
Meat/Cheese: Salami, summer sausage, prosciutto, thin cuts, jerky, cubed cheese
Spreads: Honey, jams, salsa, mustards, sauces
Extras: Nuts, pickles, olives, dates, raisins, and other dried produce
This will help you sell a wide variety of goods, while providing Buyers a one-stop shop for Charcuterie board products. These boards are enjoyed year-round, so make it easy with a subscription that keeps Buyers stocked with options.
12. Creative Box/Self Care Box
Self care can come in a variety of boxes, whether it is skin care products or hobby kits. Value-add self care products can be a great bundle for Buyers, providing consistent access to your products and a positive experience (and personal well-being).
Some creative boxes may include:
Home Spa Kit: Goat Milk or Lavender Creams, Bath Salts, Pot Pourri and Candles
At-home Craft Kits: Yarn or Felting Kits with Seasonal Patterns or Holiday Ideas
DIY Grow Kits: Mushroom, Microgreen or Spring Garden Starter Kits
Bouquet Kits: Assortment of Flowers, Greens, Sprigs and Ribbons with Design Ideas for the home
These unique box offerings enable your Farm to differentiate itself in the market, and attach your products with great emotional experiences. Consider offering these boxes as a short-term or seasonal subscription, making it easier to brand for a Season, or for Buyers’ “gifts” to others during the holidays.
Conclusion
No matter the time of year, Buyers are looking for local Farm products that they can trust on a recurring basis. Be creative and supplement your Farm products with value-added items - there are plenty of options! During the holidays, encourage Buyers to purchase these subscriptions as gifts.
Note, all your Products should be sold in different sizes, for large or small families. Including value-added spices, sauces, and stock products with recipe cards that complement your Farm products will be even more enticing.
For other Farm Gift Guide ideas, check out this other blog:
No matter what your Farm produces, there are plenty of options. Increase Sales and support your local community with Subscriptions today!
Barn2Door provides an all-in-one solution to grow and manage your Farm business. If you’re curious to learn why successful Farms run on Barn2Door, watch this 5-minute video.