I am not quite as nerdy as Lamar Steiger, but he certainly is responsible for directing me to Prime Future a few years ago. I grew up in the Ag world but I didn’t stay very long. However, I did end up working for a 350-store retail chain in Bentonville Arkansas in their real estate department (thus my friendship with Lamar). During the 1980’s and 1990’s, whatever job you held at Walmart, you naturally became a part-time merchant and an educated consumer. To this very day I believe that Walmart had the longest running EDLP (everyday low price) loyalty shtick with “fly-over state” consumers. As a part-time merchant and as an educated consumer, I believed in EDLP wholeheartedly. Why would I go anyplace else to buy my good? It was ingrained in my culture and in my family. Because I believed it, so did others. Why did I believe? I can tell you the only reason why… I believed it because it had a strong Message and and stronger Messenger(s). It had someone that believed it at the top; and it had those that believed it in the middle; and in my case, believed it near the bottom. If one man, one smallish company (then), and a few thousand company believers could convince (and prove) to millions and millions of consumers that EDLP was REAL, then the AG world needs to find that messenger(s) to find and deliver that quality/price/availability/loyalty message in every area of meat and dairy. There are messengers waiting out there someplace. I believe I have met some of those messengers when I go to the farmer’s market, and the new butcher shop that opened down the road from me, and the nice person that delivers fresh free-range chicken to my front door every two weeks. I believe in them and I promote their stories and their businesses. Those folks have the same fire and desire as that Messenger I had the honor of knowing at Walmart. You have to believe in something, or you will believe in nothing. I wonder if the AG world really believes there are real solutions, messengers, and ways to stand above and move forward with conviction. They need a Messenger. BTW, I am familiar with another little company down the road in Springdale AR that has the opportunity and means to.…. oh, never mind…that’s too nerdy.
On a side note, I am part of a few business/spiritual think groups that meet regularly. Several of your articles and topics have been shared and translated into other business sectors and I want to thank you for that. Keep up the good work.
Great article as always. Food can so fun. You're spot on that we only know what we're told regarding food. The food industry especially is built on trust...we trust what we buy meets a "standard" of some kind - think kosher or my favorite "natural" - and will not make us sick or dead. After that, game (marketing) on! So, if someone believes cow farts will kill the planet and they decide to go to alternative "meat," and "dairy,"more power to them. Though i urge them, and everyone else, to check out ingredient declarations: no cow farts but lots of other things you may not want to consume. Lots of ranchers and branders now touting "regenerative farming" which seems to be a real thing. If you haven't already, look into Pasturebird. They appear to be doing something completely different with chicken and can show it. Please keep up the great articles
Aug 2, 2022·edited Aug 2, 2022Liked by Janette Barnard
So when the unwitting guest at the party who asked about the cheese or mentioned "family farms" quietly slinks away... that has something to do with this "Nerd Mode" you mention? :)
I personally find the price discussion interesting. How much are people willing to pay for perceived value/benefits? And does that happen in a vacuum or is it always judged relative to "standard" products? (For example, is organic milk at, say $5, only expensive if "conventional" milk is $2?)
I am not quite as nerdy as Lamar Steiger, but he certainly is responsible for directing me to Prime Future a few years ago. I grew up in the Ag world but I didn’t stay very long. However, I did end up working for a 350-store retail chain in Bentonville Arkansas in their real estate department (thus my friendship with Lamar). During the 1980’s and 1990’s, whatever job you held at Walmart, you naturally became a part-time merchant and an educated consumer. To this very day I believe that Walmart had the longest running EDLP (everyday low price) loyalty shtick with “fly-over state” consumers. As a part-time merchant and as an educated consumer, I believed in EDLP wholeheartedly. Why would I go anyplace else to buy my good? It was ingrained in my culture and in my family. Because I believed it, so did others. Why did I believe? I can tell you the only reason why… I believed it because it had a strong Message and and stronger Messenger(s). It had someone that believed it at the top; and it had those that believed it in the middle; and in my case, believed it near the bottom. If one man, one smallish company (then), and a few thousand company believers could convince (and prove) to millions and millions of consumers that EDLP was REAL, then the AG world needs to find that messenger(s) to find and deliver that quality/price/availability/loyalty message in every area of meat and dairy. There are messengers waiting out there someplace. I believe I have met some of those messengers when I go to the farmer’s market, and the new butcher shop that opened down the road from me, and the nice person that delivers fresh free-range chicken to my front door every two weeks. I believe in them and I promote their stories and their businesses. Those folks have the same fire and desire as that Messenger I had the honor of knowing at Walmart. You have to believe in something, or you will believe in nothing. I wonder if the AG world really believes there are real solutions, messengers, and ways to stand above and move forward with conviction. They need a Messenger. BTW, I am familiar with another little company down the road in Springdale AR that has the opportunity and means to.…. oh, never mind…that’s too nerdy.
On a side note, I am part of a few business/spiritual think groups that meet regularly. Several of your articles and topics have been shared and translated into other business sectors and I want to thank you for that. Keep up the good work.
Great article as always. Food can so fun. You're spot on that we only know what we're told regarding food. The food industry especially is built on trust...we trust what we buy meets a "standard" of some kind - think kosher or my favorite "natural" - and will not make us sick or dead. After that, game (marketing) on! So, if someone believes cow farts will kill the planet and they decide to go to alternative "meat," and "dairy,"more power to them. Though i urge them, and everyone else, to check out ingredient declarations: no cow farts but lots of other things you may not want to consume. Lots of ranchers and branders now touting "regenerative farming" which seems to be a real thing. If you haven't already, look into Pasturebird. They appear to be doing something completely different with chicken and can show it. Please keep up the great articles
Great read as always!
So when the unwitting guest at the party who asked about the cheese or mentioned "family farms" quietly slinks away... that has something to do with this "Nerd Mode" you mention? :)
I personally find the price discussion interesting. How much are people willing to pay for perceived value/benefits? And does that happen in a vacuum or is it always judged relative to "standard" products? (For example, is organic milk at, say $5, only expensive if "conventional" milk is $2?)
Good stuff, as always.