Local farm produce broker

Independent restaurants, cafes, small grocers, caterers, school kitchens and food co-ops that want local produce without dealing with many farms.

You buy at a wholesale price from growers and sell at a higher price to buyers. The margin on each case or pallet is your income, minus delivery and spoilage.

• Negotiating with growers and buyers
• Organizing orders and deliveries
• Knowing seasonal produce and quality
• Reliable follow-up and invoicing

• Food safety rules for handling and storing produce; check with your state department of agriculture and the FDA's produce safety requirements
• Whether you need a wholesale food dealer or produce dealer license in your state (check your state department of agriculture)
• Perishable stock can spoil, so only buy against confirmed orders at first
• Commercial auto and general liability insurance; check that your policy covers food products
• Home occupation permits and HOA or lease rules if you run orders from home

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,500 to $8,000, depending on whether you rent or borrow a van, the insurance you need and the working cash for buying produce. Buying only against confirmed orders at first limits spoilage risk.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how many growers and buyers you connect, order sizes and the season. The estimate assumes about 12 hours a week or more.

Check food safety rules for handling and storing produce with your state department of agriculture and the FDA's produce safety requirements. Check whether your state requires a wholesale food dealer or produce dealer license. Also check commercial auto and general liability coverage, and home occupation, HOA or lease rules.