I would like to market free-range chickens. This is why I'm asking. I live in Rice Lake, WI. I know there's a grower over by St Croix who sells 1000 a year and doesn't even advertise anymore. I'd like to establish a market for goat chicken and maybe even rabbit. I'm thinking I would advertise in the local penny saver type paper since it covers from here to the edge of the Twin Cities. I am thinking of taking orders before I order the chicks, but I'm not sure if those types would even read something like that!

Somebody mentioned something about a large amount of southeast asian people in Minnesota's Twin Cities area. I don't know any southeast asian people other than the ones that were in my dorm in college. Where do they shop? How do they shop? What are they looking for when they buy black chickens? Do they want the feet left on? Do they buy them live?

Any advice would be welcomed!!

Thanks! Katie

-- Katie S (cashcrop90@yahoo.com), January 28, 2002

Answers

There is a fairly large Greek population in Mpls. There are two VERY good greel resturants in Minneapolis owned by brothers of the same family. One is called It's Greek To Me the other one is called Cristo's (not sure of the spelling) There is a fantastic store called Bill's Imports, they are greek, lebonese, middleeastern type of foods. It is a very small store but the one everyone goes to. Hope this helps.

Susan

-- Susan northern MN (nanaboo@paulbunyan.net), January 28, 2002.

It was insightful. Any response is much better than none. I have seen post go unanswered before. I've heard that the greeks and moslems don't like to do financial dealings with women! In example: Couple has goats to sell. Wife says I can take your money and give you a receipt and you can take the goat. Response: No....I will come back later.

Thanks, Katie

-- Katie S (cashcrop90@yahoo.com), January 28, 2002.

One aspect to keep in mind is you are in WI and your potential market is in MN. That constitutes interstate trade for which far, far more stringent rules apply than solely within your state.

That said take a trip to MN and look in the phonebook under probably supermarkets for ethnic food retailers. Speak directly to them on what their needs might be. I have read where duck eggs which were incubated for half the time to hatching, then hardboiled, sell for about $1.00 in Asian markets. If you charge $.50 each, that is $6.00 per dozen.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), January 29, 2002.

I live on the southern end of the country so I have no idea about what the ethnic makeup of Mn is. But our area has a large population of migrant farm markers, of hispanic descent, and many of the plates are from the Michigan and Minnesota. Don't discount this population. Goat meat, chicken, and pork are pretty popular with them. Pinto beans, and squash for greens.

I guess it all depends on your location. If large groups of people are commuting near a place where you can advertise, and people are able to reach your place without hardship, it sounds like it could work.

-- j.r. guerra in s. tx. (jrguerra@boultinghousesimpson.com), January 29, 2002.

Please do not lump all "Moslems" or for that matter, members of any other relious or ethnic group together. No doubt there are some Muslims who limit their interactions with unrelated women, but I know of none and have never heard of it.

-- snoozy (bunny@northsound.net), January 29, 2002.

Also check pet shops to see if they are interested in anything for sale as a pet or as feed for one.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), January 29, 2002.

Katie, How about advertising in their newspaper. Here in Houston we have the Greensheet and I had no idea that so many spanish speaking folks read it. There are also Asian news papers. There are English speaking folks who can translate your ad for you, and make sure they understand in the ad that you are English speaking only. If you can sell a quality product, nobody cares if you are male or female. Call the Chamber of commerce in the city and ask for a telephone book, lie and say you are moving there soon. Introduce yourself and your products, explaining how you are going to get the product to them. Can you really deliever the product year round? Be very careful that you don't sign contracts you can't fulfill. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), January 29, 2002.

Katie, I am emailing you directly, since this is an extensive topic, and the Twin Cities market is who I have been selling to for the past 11 years.

Incidentally, it absolutely IS true that some religious/ethnic groups will NOT do business with women, it is proscribed against in their religion, or at least in their interpretation of it. I ran up against it several times myself, from orthodox Jews to certain Muslim sects.

-- Earthmama (earthmama48@yahoo.com), January 29, 2002.

I learned a HELL OF A LOT this time!! Thanks Vicki, Ken and Earthmama. You just blew my mind!!

Vicki, I don't have to lie. You can just call the phone company and they will send you a copy of the phone book of the city of your choice. I think they even have an 800 number to boot! It was interesting what you had to say to J.R. Guerra.

Thank you very much!

-- Katie S (cashcrop90@yahoo.com), January 29, 2002.

Susan, after all the other posts what information you shared fell in to place and I realized how valuable it was!

-- Katie S (cashcrop90@yahoo.com), January 30, 2002.

Katie, The store Bill's Imports is owned and run by a woman and her sons. She is either Greek, Lebanese, or any one of those who eat and love those wonderful spices, cheeses and other wonderful food from that part of the world. Anyway, she is a business woman by any deffinition and she deals with men VERY effectively. You have nothing to gain by not calling. Easter is a high time for Greeks and Muslims and goat meat also lamb.

Susan

-- Susan in Minnesota (nanaboo@paulbunyan.net), January 31, 2002.

A book you might be interested in is "The New Farmers Market: Farm- Fresh Ideas for Producers, Managers and Communities" by V. Corum, M. Rosenzweig and E. Gibson. QP Distribution, 22260 "C" St., Winfield, KS 67156. Includes a chapter on selling to ethnic buyers, such as growing what they were use to back home.

Check with your local library to see if they can obtain a loaner copy.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), January 31, 2002.

Susan,I will be looking into that. Ken, thank you! I have heard of that book but, not that part about it having a section in it about the ethnic market.

-- Katie S (cashcrop90@yahoo.com), January 31, 2002.