U-Pick and Pick-Your-Own (PYO) Farms

U-pick or Pick-your-own (PYO) farm operations are a type of farm gate direct marketing (farm-to-table) strategy where the emphasis is on consumers doing the harvesting themselves. U-pick is often preferred by consumers who like to select fresher, higher quality, vine ripened produce at lower prices.

This strategy is not unique and has probably been around as long as farmers have grown more than they can sell at wholesale or consume on the farm. U-Pick operations serve as an alternative selling method that, depending on the type of produce a farmer grows and the farm's customer base, it can supplement other marketing strategies. This strategy has several advantages:

As in any type of direct marketing system, potential customers must be identified. The means of doing this varies, from direct mailings to flyers or print advertising. The level of competition in the area can also dictate the types of crops and services producers provide. Owner-operators must identify the number of similar farmers in the area and the type of crops they produce and services offered, so as not to flood the market. One strategy to avoid this is by planting or harvesting crops at different times or extending the season in greenhouses or hoophouses to help prolong the harvest season and possibly increase the number of customers still looking for locally grown fresh produce. In addition, special services or products can be added to the business operation to gain market share. Some examples are baked and cooked foods, landscape services, plants, flowers, seeds, herbs, and homemade crafts.

Other disadvantages of U-Pick marketing are:

In the UK, the customers are encouraged to pick their own, but not consume produce while picking. Sampling is generally allowed while out on the fields, but PYO farms charge customers by the weight of produce they have picked. Some PYO farms charge a small refundable deposit on entry to discourage a minority of customers from eating produce without paying. Many farmers still pick for the market, while the public can enjoy themselves in the same fields. PYO was very popular in the 1970s and 1980s, when there was a season for fruit, but has declined in popularity now that the global market can provide the same fruit for most of the year. In the 2000s there has been a revival in local foods, and PYO has benefited from this. Pick-your-own strawberries were pioneered in the UK by Ted Moult in 1961.

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