Internet-based Services Media Campaign

Media Campaign Helps Customers Find Your Farm

Southern SAWG launched an aggressive media campaign in the Summer of 2005 to educate consumers about the need to support family farms in their communities and provide them with instructions on how to conduct an electronic search for farms and farmers' markets in their area.  Press releases from that campaign are linked below and can be distributed to food, health, and environmental magazines, as well as to local newspapers all across the region.

There are two press releases that you can download and customize for your own farm or market, then distribute to local media.

"Freshness Abounds" press release is a new media alert, just in time for the 2005 Summer Harvest, that promotes local foods and the use of the Local Harvest service, and includes quotes from two well-known Southern chefs.

"Get Fresh" press release encourages support of local farms and use of the Local Harvest Farm Finder.

Tips for Customizing "Freshness Abounds" Press Release

The local press is inclined to feature articles with a tie to their own area.   Use some of these tips to bring notoriety to SSAWG, Local Harvest, and your farm or market!

1. Make a list of local TV, radio, and print media outlets plus contact information for Food, Culture, or Lifestyle editors

2. Feature links to your area farm or market and include contact information for them as well as your own contact info

3. Ask a local chef to provide a quote, and maybe even a recipe

4. Offer a "side-bar," a story that helps illustrate the main article, that presents your own experience with foods that are specific to your area or that highlights a local food event

5. Have photos of area farms or markets ready to distribute to your local media contacts

6. Send the releases to targeted editors or reporters, then make a follow up phone call a few days later

For additional assistance in customizing or distributing press releases to local press, contact:

info@ssawg.org