Small to mid-size growers in the eastern US have trouble finding reliable buyers for their broccoli, even as distributors, wholesalers, restaurants, and others say they cannot source enough regional broccoli to meet demand.  While matching specific buyers with specific sellers is beyond the scope of the Eastern Broccoli Project, we recently added a buyer listing webpage that may help the two groups connect. Growers can use the information to discover and introduce themselves to buyers with a declared interest in sourcing eastern-grown broccoli.  Buyers who agree to be listed have the opportunity to engage with local and regional suppliers of this popular produce item.

The Eastern Broccoli Project has developed numerous resources to help growers produce high quality broccoli and understand the expectations and challenges of the eastern broccoli supply chain (click on the ‘Resources’ tab of the menu to see some). However, it is up to growers and buyers to forge the good relationships that are critical to sustaining the eastern broccoli industry.  The buyer list is intended to help that process by fostering contacts and discussions between entities with complementary interests. Growers are generally advised to secure a buyer early, preferably before they have a crop in the ground.  Many buyers (not just the ones on our list) have specific expectations with respect to certifications, seasonal availability, minimum load size, and delivery.

All of the listings have been approved by their respective buyers. Each includes a brief description of the enterprise and the region they serve, along with a contact email address and logo with website link.  We expect the list to expand as more companies and food hubs find out about this opportunity to connect with eastern broccoli growers.