Hydroponics is the technique of cultivating plants in a soil less environment with the use of nutrient solutions. This practice is gaining popularity as it can yield high output in a short area, this is because of the growing urbanization. Indeed, hydroponics farming in the USA continues to grow widely as more people embrace organic, sustainable means of farming. Hydro farming is not the only thing that determines success in this field, but the markets where to sell your hydro farming produce is another important factor.

The Rise of Urban Hydroponics

Urban hydroponics is gradually becoming popular, especially in the urban areas where land is scarce and fresh produce are much demanded. Indoor food growing systems in the urban area have become popular since most farmers are now growing crops such as vegetables and herbs in limited spaces. This makes it possible to have farming on places that were not favorable for farming like rooftops, basins, and balconies.

Hydro farming can take root in urban areas because the end consumers are beginning to embrace organic foods grown through sustainable methods. Such urban hydroponic farms can sell their produces to other markets, restaurants, or even directly to the consumers all year round.

Hydroponics Tips: Where to Sell Your Hydroponic Produce

If you’re looking to tap into markets for hydroponic produce, there are several avenues to explore:

hydroponics farming: I believe that farmers’ markets are among the most appropriate outlets to market hydroponics farming at home vegetables. These markets target consumers who are sensitive to fresh produce and are willing to pay for locally grown produce; hydroponically grown vegetables are normally fresh and preferred by most consumers. They provide an opportunity to directly reach consumers and explain to them the value of hydro farming.

Local Grocery Stores and Health Food Shops: Hydroponically grown produce is considered desirable in many grocery stores especially those who wish to sell organically or sustainably grown foods. Contact small chain stores or health food stores because they are more inclined to source specialty products from urban farms and growing systems.

Online Sales and Delivery Services: The hydro farming produce produced by the urban farmers can also be sold online. Most consumers today would prefer to have their vegetables delivered right to their doorstep and since hydroponically grown vegetables are considered fresher and cleaner, this is a major advantage. You can therefore expand your customer base by offering subscription services, or by engaging local food delivery services.

Restaurants and Chefs: The most significant market for premium quality local produce is the restaurants and the chefs that work for them. Vegetables, herbs and microgreens grown in hydroponic systems are preferred by many as they are fresh and taste better. One of the best ways to make sure that your hydroponics farming at home or urban farm produce always has a market is by developing ties with local chefs.

The Benefits of Indoor Food Growing System

Perennial use of the indoor food growing systems is another advantage because the food growing process will not be interfered by the weather conditions. This is a feature that local markets find very appealing, because they can always get a fresh crop of their produce, especially when other farming methods are not producing crops. Also, hydroponics systems utilize less water and fewer pesticides, and this is a marketing point in today’s environmentally conscious markets.

Second, the crop grown indoors is healthier than the one grown in the field since the environment is well controlled. This makes hydro farming even more effective in providing for the ever increasing customer demand for fresh locally produced crops in urban areas.

Developing a Brand for Your Hydroponic Crops

In order to effectively market your produce you need to be consistent in creating a brand that focuses on the importance of urban hydroponics and indoor food growing systems. Emphasize your products’ sustainability, novelty, and quality in the advertisement, commercial or slogan. In the markets where there is a lot of competition, it will always be useful to enlighten the consumers on the benefits of hydroponics farming to the environment for example the use of less water and no toxic pesticides.

The other ways that you can popularize your hydroponic produce include; giving tours of your farm, selling at food festivals, and social media marketing. The more the people are aware of the importance of hydro farming the more they will be coming to be our customers.