Institutional Food Market Coalition
Badgerland Produce
Produce from Badgerland.

Produce

There are many different ways to buy and sell produce in large volumes, including wholesale to institutions, produce auctions, and through a distributor. Buyers and sellers can also use LocalDirt.com. The information below will help both growers and buyers understand the opportunities and challenges involved in each.

Buyers - don’t forget to check out the Buyers Corner page for more helpful information! And if you’re interested in sourcing more than just produce, be sure to view the value added producers on the IFM Local Foods Program page.

Growers - check out resources just for you on our Wisconsin Growers page!

Wholesale To Institutions

Some Wisconsin institutions will buy direct from farms. A direct connection with a farm provides a concrete way to show their patrons that they support the local economy.

IFM and partners are developing materials to assist growers looking for more information about communicating with institutions, crop budgets, and more. Find these resources on the Wisconsin Growers page.

Distributors

Some institutions prefer to source local produce through their current distributor due to contract requirements and ease of use. IFM is currently working with Wisconsin distributors to develop information for growers about their needs and requirements. Stay tuned for more information!

Buyer Testimony

"As a chef, I am extremely selective about the product I purchase for my clients, and I must say that it only took several seconds of looking over the product, and I was sold. Typically, I purchase through a regional distributor, and quite often through the Dane County Farmer’s market, but in much smaller quantities. By using the Badgerland produce auction, I am able to source much larger volumes of certified organic product at wholesale prices – this was never an opportunity for us before the visit to Badgerland."

Craig Summers
Executive Chef, Hilton of Madison

"In July, a group of buyers went to the Badgerland Produce Auction on a field trip. We met with farmers and the Badgerland management, some of the Board members and watched the auction. Within minutes I became aware of just how fantastic everything that I saw was. The vegetables were huge, colorful, full of aroma and the prices excellent, lower than what I was paying to traditional vendors, of much better quality and picked the same day fresh. Because of our experience, we will be returning."

Barb Kampmeir
Consilidated Food Services, Verona, WI

"Our experience has been excellent. We sourced everything from bedding plants to fruit and produce, and in the fall purchased gourds and pumpkins to use in some of our patient activities. I found the prices to be excellent, communication and delivery was very reliable, and the product was high quality. Because of this experience, we are happy to say we will be returning."

Claire Nagel
Food Service Director, Mendota Mental Health Institute

Produce Auctions

Since 2006, IFM has partnered with Badgerland Produce Co-op Auction to expand institutional sales and services, and to help develop needed infrastructure. This partnership has created new possibilities and opened market opportunities for institutional sales throughout WI. In addition to Badgerland, Fennimore Produce Auction (Fennimore, WI) and Growers’ Produce Auction (Cashton, WI) also provide high quality local fruit and produce for large volume institutional sales. See Auction Information

Why Produce Auctions?

IFM has found the auction model to be successful for buyers for a number of reasons:

  • Large volume buyers have price limitations and auctions offer competitive wholesale pricing
  • Auctions have large volumes of diverse products available at one sales outlet because they aggregate the product of up to 200 growers
  • Institutions can receive an additional one or two deliveries a week, maximum, and the auctions deliver
  • Auctions have several types of purchasing programs and can accommodate most institutional purchasing and billing cycle needs. Badgerland Produce Co-op Auction provides a pre-priced program for institutions that require set-pricing.
  • Auctions use USDA grade standards
  • Auctions sell both local and organic product
  • Auctions (check with the one nearest you) have $2,000,000 in liability coverage which is required by many WI institutions
  • Auctions are supported by dedicated UW-Extension Agricultural Agents, and provide ongoing training and support in food safety, product handling, and other program areas
  • Auctions provide refrigerated delivery

You may also source locally through individual farms and farmers for your local produce needs. However, IFM is not able to provide technical assistance or support at this time, should you chose to source this way.

How to Buy

If you are ready to try a few products, purchase for an event, or even source all of your seasonal produce there are three different ways to purchase through auction. See Auction Information.

  1. Buying at Auction

    Auctions are regularly held 2-3 days per week, from May through October, and are open to the public. Auctions allow buyers the opportunity to inspect and purchase produce first hand. At the beginning of each auction, buyers receive a buyer number and use this to bid on the products they would like to buy. All purchases auction day are paid for that day and all purchases are removed from the auction house the same day. The buyer is typically responsible for transportation/delivery of their purchased items. Payment is made auction day in the form of cash, check or credit card.
  2. Order-Buyer Program

    Buyers who cannot attend auctions themselves have the opportunity to purchase produce from the auction through the Order-Buyer Program. The Order-Buyer will work closely with you to coordinate your order and is always there to answer any questions you may have, or provide you with additional product information. Via phone, fax, or email, the buyer will communicate the variety, quantity and price ceiling for each product to the auction’s Order-Buyer who will then bid on behalf of the institutional buyer. Delivery service is not available in all areas. Payment is made with cash, check or credit card, and institutions working on a net 30 cycle will be accommodated.
  3. Pre-Priced/IFM Program (Badgerland Produce Co-op Auction ONLY)

    Qualified institutions that meet the program requirements can purchase produce at set prices throughout the growing season. Volume requirements must be met. Delivery is available and payment plans can be made. This program was designed to better service institutions with large volume needs, delivery requirements, and budget constraints. Customized service is given to each institution as best suits its needs.
Frequently Asked Questions about Auctions

Are they insured?
Badgerland offers $2 million in liability coverage, which is required by many WI institutions.

Do they deliver?
Badgerland, Fennimore and Grower’s Produce Auction have refrigerated delivery.

How do prices compare with other wholesale vendors?
Auctions are wholesale, and typically match or beat conventional vendor prices. Contact the auction nearest you for a list of average prices from the previous season.

Do they sell certified organic?
Yes, the auctions have certified organic. Certified organic prices are generally 25% higher than non-organic.

What are the cooling standards?
All produce is picked 24-48 hours fresh to auction time (except melons, onions and potatoes, which are harvested within 48 hours). Between being picked and being sold at auction, produce is not refrigerated. Produce purchased for delivery is palletized and immediately loaded onto a refrigerated delivery truck.

What are my payment options?
Cash, check or credit card - billing and net 30 is also available.

How do I place an order?
Contact the auction manager at the auction nearest you to set up your account and establish your ordering process. See Auction Information

What grading standards do the auctions use?
USDA grading standards.

What quality standards do they use?
On-going education regarding proper handling, harvesting and produce quality is provided to growers through knowledgeable experts, and throughout the year. In addition, auctions perform regular quality checks on produce that is sold through the cooperative to assure quality standards are being met.

Each box or container is labeled, and includes the seller number for the grower who provided the container contents. The seller number allows the auction to track the origin of the produce, and to address any quality concerns with the appropriate grower.

What type of packaging do they use?
Produce is packaged in uniform boxes and containers at Badgerland and in accordance with Badgerland’s approved, standard packaging. Orders are palletized and shrink wrapped to ensure quality control.

How fresh is the produce?
All produce is picked 24-48 hours fresh to auction time (except melons, onions and potatoes, which are harvested within 48 hours).

How local is the produce?
All produce is grown within 100 miles of where the auction is located.

Which varieties of fruit and produce do the auctions offer?
Items are offered at auction as they become available. A complete list of varieties can be obtained by contacting your local auction. Standard items include: apples, broccoli, cucumbers, green peppers, lettuce, muskmelon, onions, potatoes, squash, sweet corn, tomatoes, watermelon and zucchini.

Auction Information

Badgerland Produce Co-op Auction
Highway 22, Montello, WI, Marquette Co.
Number of farmers growing for auction: 200+ from nine counties, including Dane County
Auction Manager: Mary Jean Reading
Phone: 920-858-7785
Order/Buyer: Mike Zabel
Phone: 920-229-1674
Delivery: Yes (delivery is also available to other areas)
Grading standards: USDA grading

Fennimore Produce Auction
Highway T, Fennimore, WI, Grant Co.
Number of farmers growing for auction: 75 from surrounding counties
Auction Manager: Tim Slack
Phone: 608-988-6464
Order/Buyer: Linda Everitt
Phone: 608-988-6347
Delivery: Yes (delivery is also available to other areas)
Grading standards: USDA grading
http://www.timslackauctionrealty.com/

Growers Produce Auction
Highway D, Cashton, WI, Vernon Co.
Number of farmers growing for auction: 125+ from surrounding counties
Auction Manager: Brian Nelson
Phone: 608-654-7880
Order/Buyer: Brian Nelson
Phone: 608-386-6058
Delivery: Yes (delivery is also available to other areas)
Grading standards: USDA grading

Tri-County Produce Auction Co-op
N 1046 County Highway H Dalton, WI 53926
Auction Manager: Earnest Bontreger
Order/Buyer: Larry Wirth
Phone: 920-382-0546
Delivery: Contact Larry Wirth
Grading standards: USDA grading

Government of Dane County, Wisconsin