Our Story

Why We Exist

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Crated Harvest was born out of a need by farmers struggling to reach consumers during the onset of COVID-19. With this burden at hand, we felt more motivated than ever before to create Crated Harvest as an app for both small business owners and shoppers. Even though there are no replacements for the community-building benefits and support to our local small businesses that farmers markets provide, the ease of use could stand an upgrade.

***COVID-19's Impact on Farmers Markets

Once the pandemic hit, all bets were off. There was no time for planning, only time for adjusting, and it became increasingly difficult for vendors to get the word out to their customers.

Over the last few years, customers have made quick access and faster results a priority in their purchasing decisions. Technological advances have made it easier for customers to look for products and services they can access at their fingertips.

When the pandemic hit, there was no time for planning, only adjusting. It became increasingly difficult for vendors to maintain their customers, and there was so much uncertainty about when things would return to normal. Or if that was even possible. "For neighborhood weekend markets that were able to remain open during the pandemic, the change in 2020 average sales between the winter and spring is between 75% and 79% lower than in 2019." Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7900660/#:~:text=For neighborhood weekend markets that,79%25 lower than in 2019.

 

A New Way Forward

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As we return to our new normal, markets and vendors across the country, know that now is the time to fortify their businesses against future unforeseen circumstances and collectively move towards an ever-changing technological landscape.

This gave us more resolve to push forward with the first-of-its-kind farmers market marketplace app that will connect markets, vendors, and customers across the country and showcase some of the best farmers markets the US offers.

Our platform was inspired by the hardships of a group of farmers market vendors who, just like you, experienced unpredictable times. Now we have created more security for our markets and vendors through our platform.

Crated Harvest was born out of a need by farmers struggling to reach consumers during the onset of COVID-19. With this burden at hand, we felt more motivated than ever before to create Crated Harvest as an app for both small business owners and shoppers.