September is Organic Harvest Month which means it's the perfect time to promote organics in your grocery store. Promoting organics for an entire month can help build loyal organic customers who'll keep buying organics, long after September has ended.
Following are some great ideas for promoting Organic Harvest Month. Also, these ideas are flexible enough that you can use them all year long in your grocery store to promote healthy organic food.
1. Tell People About Organic Harvest Month
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Not everyone knows about Organic Harvest Month, but one thing's for sure, consumers love a reason to celebrate.
Let your customers know that it is Organic Harvest Month and give them literature that explains how they can support organics. Place special and catchy signage around the store. Have extra pamphlets available that explain the basics of certified organic food and the history behind Organic Harvest Month.
Make sure to label all your organics correctly and feature organic produce displays prominently the entire month.
2. Offer Special Sales on Organics
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Organic Harvest Month is the perfect time to offer special sales on organic food. Advertise, "Organic Harvest Month Specials" in all print advertisements and in the store as well.
Consider setting up nice organic fall harvest tables of produce outside to hit customers with organics as they arrive at and leave the store. Once customers get to your store, make sure the atmosphere is fall festive.
3. Launch an Organic Harvest Month Coloring Contest
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Get customer's kids involved in Organic Harvest Month. Allow kids to draw free-hand or find some suitable organic coloring sheets, print up copies on recycled paper and hand them out to the kiddos.
Place all coloring sheets on a store bulletin board. Consider offering a few small, healthy organic kid-sized snack prizes at the end, such as packs of organic cookies or cheese crackers.
Who Sells Organic Kid-Size Snacks & Treats?
- Annie's
- Yummy Earth
- Clif Bar & Co. - see CLIF Kid Organic ZBars
4. Hold a Meet the Farmer Event
Photo courtesy of Organic Trade Association
Have a local organic farmer come to the store for the day to discuss organic food facts with customers. You can even have farmers come in with their products so customers can sample the goods.
Alternatively, you can host a visit for a farmer or store manager at a local elementary school to talk about organics with the kids.
5. Offer Organic Harvest Month Samples & Treats
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Have a good supply of organic treats on hand for customers to sample. Your store can make organic harvest muffins, offer little organic fruit cups or simply have a free basket of organic apples on hand.
You can use any organic harvest recipes your store can find, but be sure to switch out conventional ingredients for organic.
Ideas for Organic Harvest Month Recipes:
6. Bag Groceries in Organic Cotton
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Sell promotional reusable grocery bags with your store's logo embellished along with a cool Organic Harvest Month image. Reusable organic cotton bags are a perfect accompaniment to a month that celebrates a healthier green lifestyle.
Where to Score Organic Reusable Promotional Bags:
7. Offer an Organic Feast
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If your store has a deli or prepared food area, considering special organic harvest dishes like fresh organic squash soup or organic harvest sandwiches. Your store can also offer a special Organic Harvest Month prepared meal for those customers who want to celebrate the season easily.
A sample meals might consist of organic roasted chicken, red mashed potatoes, corn-on-the-cob, whole grain rolls and a pumpkin pie or fresh apple crisp for dessert. Offer organic apple cider along with this harvest meal. Package the whole meal for easy pick-up and include information about the organic ingrediants used in the meal packaging.
To make the most of this special meal, plan for the freshest in-season organics available in your area.
