In one of my other courses, I’m currently working with the UBC Farm to implement a new marketing plan to help with the turnout of their educational workshops and programs that they offer to the public. Through the current primary and secondary research that my group has conducted, we’ve learned a lot about the UBC Farm that we previously didn’t know about. The farm carries its day to day operations through the most sustainable manners and also offers unique and fun workshops to the public, such as cheese making, kambucha making, mushroom foraging, etc. Personally, I only thought that the UBC Farm grew produce to sell at their weekend farmer’s markets. The farm actually does a few other initiatives- the grounds acts as a venue for UBC associated events and private weddings too, they offer a lot of volunteer opportunities in the community and at the farm, and they conduct research and innovation for sustainability solutions.
While doing the client challenge for Zero Waste Market, I began to reflect how the UBC Farm and ZWM are quite similar in terms of selling local produce to the community and teaching the consumers in the community about sustainable purchases and food handling. I would love to see more community farmer’s markets incorporating the UBC Farm and private businesses such as ZWM. If more markets happen frequently in different parts of the community and are given more publicity, I could see more and more Vancouverites switching to these sort of channels for their produce purchases. I would also think that having ZWM lead one of the UBC Farm workshops would be a very fitting match. Representatives from the ZWM could teach the workshop about how to handle produce and food, in general, more sustainably, and what to look out for when wanting to buy local and fresh food. I think a lot of people who are devoted to eating local produce and eating organic would be very interested in attending a workshop like this. Also if the two organizations partnered for workshops, it would be easier for them to market the event and have a stronger consumer turnout.
jessicabarry
February 22, 2016 — 3:21 pm
Collaboration between Zero Waste Market and UBC Farm could be an especially beneficial partnership. There is a very strong sense of community at UBC, and I think it could be really beneficial for Zero Waste Market to become involved with said community. A large portion of the community at UBC is very passionate about sustainability. I think Zero Waste Market could turn to UBC Farm for passionate employees. Partnering with UBC Farm could also be seen as a social initiative to educate and engage students and get them excited about sustainability. I think this partnership would also provide access to the student market and encourage students to shop at Zero Waste Market. I also think it would be a neat opportunity for ZWM and UBC Farm to host various workshops together. You mentioned that UBC Farms features workshops for making Kombucha and I think it could be neat if Zero Waste Market sold Kombucha from UBC farm in their store. Other possibilities could be workshops where they learn to make nut milk, soap or learn how to make dishes with vegetables or fruit that are a bit off. This kind of partnership could also possibly open opportunities for locations like Seedlings or Sprouts to source some of their products from Zero Waste Market, which would increase Zero Waste’s profits and also align with Seedling’s business model. Overall this could be a very beneficial partnership for both parties.