Deborah! I've just got to say that if you are ready to sell, your market study should have already been done by now! I would have a bunch of customers lined up!

You're going to have to make some cold calls and speak to the buyers for the restaurants. Be sure to take lots of free samples.

I'm guessing by your terminology ("pesticide free") that you are not certified to sell your product as organic. I would think that that might be an issue with restaurants.

I'm so sorry that I have no helpful information to offer you. Cold calls can be frustrating, intimidating, and time consuming and I don't envy you one bit. I sure had to do it when I was planning my wholesale container nursery many years ago.

Good luck to you!

Hi rhizo,. I've done a lot of the research and have prices from other areas of the U.S. but no good data on Tampa. We"ve got our sample packs and about 75 basil plants and 75 assorted mints and you are right - I hate cold calling too but at dinner last week, we asked our waiter and he said the chef is buying from South America and would for sure be interested if our prices are in line so we are hopeful.

We had to get the hydroponic setup figured out etc but are ready to ramp up pretty quick. We can supply about 5 -10 lbs a week right now so want to start slow with a couple of customers and we can take new plants from seed to harvest in about 3 weeks or so.

You are correct We are not certified but grow organic. Certification is on our "to do" list when we get the money. It's really expensive from what I've seen. Our land has been vacant for 20 years so it Shoukdnt be a problem.

I"m finishing the price list cards to give them with samples and we plan on hitting the pavement this week so we can use the luck. LOL.

Thanks for your input,. Appreciate it.