Buyers and sellers in the organic food sector now have a new way to work together. Merge Marketplace, a new platform designed to connect organic producers with buyers of organic products, is now live. Buyers can list what they are in search of, while sellers can list their crops, livestock and land. This new marketplace is hosted by Merge Organics, a consulting company that helps farmers establish organic, regenerative systems and field-level transparency to organic food supply chains.
“Our goal is to connect people in the organic farming and food space to help them grow their businesses,” says Ben Adolph, principal at Merge Organics. “Think of Merge Marketplace as Craigslist for organic producers and buyers. Connecting food companies and manufacturers like mills, breweries, restaurants and more directly with farmers, streamlines the process. It should also allow farmers to increase their margins. For buyers, it allows direct access for the crops they’re looking for, and the ability to connect with the source of those products: the farmer.”
When buyers and sellers sign up for Merge Marketplace, they get immediate access to all opportunities hosted in the platform. Crop producers provide all relevant information with their “Crop for Sale” posting along with their “Producer Profile.” Buyers can decide which producer to buy from and engage directly with farmers.
In addition to listing crops or livestock for sale or wanted, landowners who are looking for organic farmers to rent their land can also list those opportunities on Merge Marketplace.
“Every day we talk with landowners who are looking for organic farmers, and with the increase [in demand] for organic products, farmers are looking for more ground,” says Adolph. “Merge Marketplace gives landowners and farmers the ability to connect and work out rent/lease arrangements.”
To mark the launch, Merge Marketplace is offering 90 days free access to anyone who signs up before the end of January 2021. Subscribers get unlimited listings, and there are no fees associated with buying, sourcing or selling on Merge Marketplace.
Visit marketplace.mergeorganics.com to learn more.