Local and International Markets for Pure Virgin Oils - How do you Start? How do you Compete?
Posted by Timothy FitzGerald
on Sep 14, 2015
Rotarian Richard Campbell thanks Jason Persall, Farmer and President of Pristine Gourmet, Waterford, Ontario. Jason's business now produces 5/6,000 litres of edible oils per day. Jason shared how his original vocational skills (farmer) combined with value added skills (producer and international marketer) created an international business from the family farm.
Problem - Jason explained that the family farm has no control over global fluctuating commodity prices which are set on the NY Commodity Exchange.
Proposed solution - to overcome such fluctuating commodity prices that affect most traditional family farms, alternative crops, Canola, Sunflower and Soy, were grown with value added processing purified into edible oils.
Business decision? "Go Big or Go Home" - means more investment!. Instead, Jason chose more $margin from land they already owned!
Why are edible oils successful in Norfolk County. Jason explained "its the place, the soil, the weather"! "The micro climate and soils here are indigenous to our area and can't be replicated."
Marketing - who else is on his team? Ten years ago, Jason reflected back that his foray into the the grocery market chain "was a flop". There was no brand recognition! A strategic rethink put restaurant chefs on the horizon but he did not know any. So he gave samples to them, and the word spread quickly - amazing products -"smell, texture, taste and colour" sought out by the chefs - where do we (the chefs) get it? - success - send me more!
Thank you Jason - Pristine Gourmet - http://pristinegourmet.com/