How to join the B2B Network:
The SEMAP B2B Network is open to all growers/producers and business/institutional food buyers in Southeastern Massachusetts and nearby Rhode Island communities. There is a $80 annual participation fee, covering all Network support and activities from our initial meeting in January through the end of the growing season in November. This fee also includes membership in our Buy Fresh Buy Local campaign, which promotes your farm or business to the public.
To learn more or be sure to receive information on the 2009 B2B Network, contact Sarah Cogswell, SEMAP Buy Local Coordinator.
Join the 2009 B2B/Buy Fresh, Buy Local Network! (Fill out the Info Sheet and Partner Agreement, and submit no later than April 11th 2009)
SEMAP Business-to-Business Network
SEMAP's Business-to-Business Network works to connect local growers and producers with restaurants, caterers, schools, colleges, food processors, and other buyers interested in easy access to fresh local foods and farm products. The 2008 B2B Network involved 100 total members, 64 growers/producers and 36 buyers. Participants come from all over Southeastern Massachusetts and into Rhode Island and include farm businesses and buyers of many sizes and types.
The B2B Network is now integrated with SEMAP's Buy Fresh Buy Local campaign to promote local foods and farms, giving participants additional visibility and options for promoting your farm or business.
B2B Network Benefits
All participants in the SEMAP B2B Network receive:
- Listing in and a copy of the SEMAP B2B Directory (in print and online). A comprehensive directory of participating local farms and food buyers including contact information, products available or needed, and information on delivery needs or capabilities.
- Bi-weekly fax or email of B2B updates listing available and soon-to-be-available products.
- Access to and assistance of dedicated B2B Coordinator to uncover new markets/suppliers and to facilitate buyer-grower meetings.
- Annual networking meeting for face-to-face connections with prospective business partners.
You can view samples from the 2006 B2B Directory here. Click on the links below to download PDF sample versions of the SEMAP B2B Network Directory, including participant, geographic distribution, and product lists. You will need Adobe Acrobat, available free on the Adobe website. All PDF's below are under 40K.
To view sample listings for grower/producer or buyer members, click on the links for:
- 2006 B2B Network grower and producer members.
- 2006 B2B Network buyer members.
- 2006 B2B Network members sorted by geography.
Bi-Weekly Updates:
B2B Network participants also have the opportunity to contribute to and receive bi-weekly product updates. Listings of growers' available products are compiled and redistributed to buyer participants, reducing the time and effort required for participants to find new suppliers or buyers. To see the type of valuable information included, view a sample 2006 Weekly Produce Update.
