Self-Picking of Berries
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AgroBRIDGES Good Practice Recording Template |
| Author(s) | Kaisa Vehmas and Minna Kulju |
| Insert photo or any visual image or diagram e.g. /Word or Image Collage | |
| Choose a primary theme that the Good Practice adheres to (three themes can be considered: | Mutual benefits between primary producers and consumers |
| If relevant choose a secondary theme that the Good Practice adheres to | |
| If relevant choose a tertiary theme that the Good Practice adheres to | |
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EIP Practice Abstract Format:
Short summary for practitioners in English on the (final or expected) outcomes (1000-1500 characters, word count – no spaces).This summary should be as interesting as possible for farmers/end-users, using a direct and easy understandable language and pointing out entrepreneurial elements which are particularly relevant for practitioners. Research oriented aspects which do not help the understanding of the practice itself should be avoided. |
Short description of the ‘Good Practice’: In Finland, there are lots of berry farmers (especially strawberry, raspberry, blackcurrant) that allow self-picking of the berries in their farm. It is also possible for consumers to buy the ready-picked berries directly from the farmer. This is very valuable model for berry farmers to sell their products. Covid-19 pandemic has boosted the popularity of this model. In Finland we have about 1300 berry farms, and about 300 is having self-picking. In practice, the farmer inform consumers when the berries are ready to be picked up and what is the price for self-picked berries per kilogram. Consumers visit the farm and bring their own dish with them (the dish is weighed befor filling in with berries). They can pick up as much berries as they wish. After picking, the amount is weighed and consumer pays his/her berries to the farmer. |
| Main results/outcomes of the activity (expected or final): | |
| Mainly berries can be self-picked on the farms. Self-picking is cheaper than buying ready-picked products from the farm or stores. In addition, self-picked berries are fresh, they have not been stored before selling. Consumers can also choose the amount of berries suitable for her/himself. In addition, consumers can have nice experience when visiting the farm, and some farmers might have some additional services like domestic animal farm. | |
| Further information/Reference: Fruit and Berry Farmers Union lists all the farmers having direct sales and self-picking (https://www.hmlry.fi/suoramyynti/), and Pro Luomu lists all the farmers producing organic strawberries (https://proluomu.fi/luomumansikka-suoraan-tilalta/). | |
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Short summary for practitioners in native language on the (final or expected) outcomes (1000-1500 characters, word count – no spaces).
This summary should be as interesting as possible for farmers/end-users, using a direct and easy understandable language and pointing out entrepreneurial elements which are particularly relevant for practitioners. Research oriented aspects which do not help the understanding of the practice itself should be avoided. |
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| Pearls, Puzzles, Proposals? | Pearls: This model offers for consumer a possibility to get fresh berries with cheaper price. For farmers this is a profitable model, because they can define the price, there are no middlemen, and consumers are doing the work (picking-up the berries and transferring them home). Puzzles: Location of the farm is essential for successful self-picking (enough customers nearby). Proposals: This model could be taken more widely in use, could this be used in some other food categories as well. Additional services can be easily included. |
| What needs did the ‘good practice’ respond to? | Local food (berries), fresh, experience. |
| Methodology Used: | One-on-one interview, and desk study |
| Sector | |
| Actors/Stakeholders involved. Who are key actors in the supply chain AND who are key enablers of the process? | Berry farmers and consumers. |
| What needs did the ‘good practice’ respond to? | |
| Is the good practice supported by an IT application? If yes please describe and collect the TRL | Fruit and Berry Farmers Union lists all the farmers having direct sales and self-picking (https://www.hmlry.fi/suoramyynti/), and Pro Luomu lists all the farmers producing organic strawberries (https://proluomu.fi/luomumansikka-suoraan-tilalta/). Usually, the farmers have their own websites / FB accounts as well (information sharing, communication channel). |
| Media attachment (e.g. video link) or other attachment describing/depicting the Good Pratice | |
| Key words | local food, berries, self-picking, consumer experience, fresh |
| Additonal ifnromation for reporting purposes | The model has been described in the T1.4 document of Finland (Current status of SFSCs). |
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This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020
research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 101000788 |
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