Knoxville Grower-Buyer Meeting
November 12 @ 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Free
Connect Directly With Regional Food Buyers
Farmers, ranchers, and food producers looking to expand wholesale sales can meet regional buyers directly at the Knoxville Grower-Buyer Meeting on November 12. The free event runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Kern’s Bakery, 2201 Kerns Rising Way in Knoxville.
The Knoxville Grower-Buyer Meeting connects East Tennessee agricultural producers with chefs, restaurant owners, grocery managers, distributors, and institutional food-service buyers interested in local supply. Ultimately, the goal is to help growers start conversations, learn buyers’ needs, and identify relationships to pursue after the event.
Learn What Wholesale Buyers Need
Doors open at 8 a.m. for networking and coffee, followed by breakfast and a welcome session at 8:30. The main Grower-Buyer Meeting and Meet the Experts session runs from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Farmers can introduce their businesses, discuss products and seasonal availability, and ask buyers about purchasing requirements.
Organizers make clear that the meeting does not guarantee sales or contracts. Instead, it is an opportunity to open a door and follow up later. That can help producers considering wholesale markets but not yet sure what individual restaurants, grocers, or distributors require.
Business Guidance for Producers
Experts will discuss marketing, social media, and food safety. They will cover Tennessee Department of Agriculture requirements and other wholesale-readiness topics. These topics matter because wholesale channels differ from direct-to-consumer sales in packaging, delivery, pricing, and communication.
The Knoxville Grower-Buyer Meeting welcomes produce farmers, fruit growers, and row-crop operations. It also welcomes livestock producers, dairies, egg suppliers, and specialty or value-added agricultural businesses. These groups are ready to explore wholesale expansion. Additionally, partners include Real Good Kitchen Foundation, Nourish Knoxville, and UT Extension.
Registration is free. Farmers planning to attend may benefit from bringing information about their products, seasonal availability, production capacity, and current sales channels to make the most of conversations with buyers.
Read our full-length articles about educational opportunities here!
