The Southwest Farm Fresh Cooperative has announced the receipt of a $9,895 grant from the Colorado Department of Agriculture's Enrich Colorado Agriculture program.
This grant will help fund the launch of its direct-to-consumer online marketing program, and will test the logistics and market strength for the online sale of local food products from SWFF member farms.
The pilot will target the Durango household market, and SWFF will use its results to create a blueprint for future expansion of this type of distribution to markets in Mancos, Cortez, Rico, and Telluride. Customers will be able to log in to the SWFF shopping portal, fill a shopping cart with produce, and pick up their orders at a yet-to-be-determined location in Durango. SWFF expects the pilot program to be operational by mid-July.
In other news, SWFF is taking delivery of three refrigerated cargo trailers that will augment its distribution strategy, and is now operating out of its new office trailer in Mancos. This equipment was purchased under a USDA Local Food Promotion Program grant received in September 2014. The cargo trailers were manufactured locally by Hiebco Trailers in Gem Village.
The cooperative has its operational headquarters in Mancos, and serves restaurants and other wholesale buyers with local farm products. It is owned by its 18 member farms, which are located in Archuleta, La Plata, Montezuma, and Dolores counties.