​Farmer Recruitment: Cornell Farmers Market Research & Price Reporting Project

The Cornell Agriculture Marketing Research Program (CAMRP) at Cornell University is recruiting NY farmer participation in research involving the use of point-of-sale (POS) software at farmers markets (FMs). The purpose of the project is to study customer spending and identify opportunities for farms to adopt marketing practices to increase customer spending and daily market sales. Additionally, the POS data can be used to create weekly Farmers Market Price Reports to share average pricing for certain farm commodities (fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy) across the state. We are seeking farms selling fruit, vegetables, meat and/or dairy products at farmers markets to participate and we pay farms $25 for each week of qualifying sales data.

Read more about the research here: https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2023/12/scanner-data-can-help-nys-farmers-boost-market-sales

HOW TO JOIN

Farms using Square POS software at FMs are encouraged to join the project. Interested farms can read the project’s Required & Recommended Best Practices for Using Square and sign up to participate here: https://farmersmarketresearch.cornell.edu/

The basic requirements of the project are:

Set up all items in Square with clear names. Examples: “Kale BNCH” or “Potato QRT.”

Include the unit (bunch, quart, bag) in the item name for items not weighed at check-out.

Record every customer transaction at markets in real-time, including cash sales.

Use the “Locations” feature in Square so that we know where you’re selling. Our team can help you set it up!

Set up an account on the project website and authorize the Square API.

WHAT IS API?

Watch this 2-minute video to learn more: https://vod.video.cornell.edu/media/Square+API+demonstration/1_2c4bilmk

PRICE REPORTS:

Using project data, CAMRP publishes weekly FM price reports through the USDA Market News Report system. We create weekly reports that include price ranges and weighted average prices based on the actual volume of sales for a selection of crops and products. This is done by aggregating sales data from farms and markets around NY, from Buffalo to NYC. All farm and market identities are kept anonymous. Through the rest of 2024, CAMRP pays farms enrolled in price reporting for the project $25 for each week of qualifying sales data.

SEE A SAMPLE NY FARMERS MARKET PRICE REPORT HERE:https://mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov/filerepo/sites/default/files/3783/2024-06-20/841968/ams_3783_00003.pdf

JOIN THE EMAIL LIST

CAMRP is working with USDA to publish weekly FM price reports as well as our own monthly Grocery Store Price Reports. To receive notification of future price reports and CAMRP events, join our email list. To join:

1. Write a new email addressed to AEM-AG-MARKETING-RESEARCH-L-REQUEST@cornell.edu from the email address with which you wish to subscribe.

2. Make sure the body/message portion of the email is blank (delete any signatures).

3. Type the word “join” as the subject of the email and press “send.”

That’s it, you will have joined the email list. We expect to start emailing price reports in July 2024.

QUESTIONS?

Our team is ready to help, including helping you set up your Square account. Please contact us with any questions or to request help. You can reach Matt at mnl28@cornell.edu.

Last updated July 11, 2024