UF IFAS Extension in Osceola County and WhatsGood are partnering to offer agricultural producers and artisans in the area a way to save time and make more money by driving sales online.
Kissimmee Valley Grown is a developing network of Central Florida farmers, ranchers and supporters who are focused on promoting local agricultural products and services. It’s aimed at building more sustainable and resilient local food systems by supporting family farms, increasing consumer access to locally grown products and expanding producer access to broader markets.
The UF IFAS Extension in Osceola County is facilitating the Kissimmee Valley Grown network and online market for the benefit of local producers and artisans and receives no compensation for doing so.
Here’s an example of what an online market looks like: https://app. sourcewhatsgood.com/ markets/nashville-farmer-smarket/products
Here’s how it works:
Vendors update their product availability for the online market weekly.
Customers go to the market website to make orders and pay.
Vendors deliver customer orders weekly on a designated day, time and location.
* Tentative schedule will be Saturdays, from 9:00am-11:00 at 2501 East Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy in Kissimmee but will base delivery day on vendor and customer feedback.
The details:
Vendors set their own prices and agree to pay 5% of their sales to cover the operation of the online market. Vendors do not pay any additional fees.
Customers pay a 5% fee on their total order that goes towards supporting the online market.
This online market will only feature products grown or harvested in the “Kissimmee Valley” region, including valueadded items made from such products. Vendors must obtain a free Grower’s Permit from their local UF IFAS Extension Agent.
If you want to give the online market a try, here’s what to do:
Contact Extension Agent Jessica Sullivan (321-697-3040, sullivan@ ufl.edu) to verify that your products will meet the “Kissimmee Valley Grown” standards.
Sign up for a free WhatsGood vendor account at https://app. sourcewhatsgood.com/ sign-up (The WhatsGood team is there to help vendors with any questions or needed assistance.)
Connect a bank account to be able to receive customer payments - FAQ Here.
Add products to your profile (For assistance with pricing, photos, etc., contact Jessica). - FAQ Here.
Connect your account to Kissimmee Valley Grown Online Farmers Market in the Markets tab within WhatsGood.
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) provides research, educational information and other services as part of a partnership between the USDA, the Extension Office and Osceola County, the University of Florida and the Cooperative Extension Program at Florida A&M University.
