Marksbury Farms

Our good friends at Marksbury Farms hosted the Kentucky Ag Council and the Food Systems Innovation crew for a red carpet tour of their market and processing facility.  If you haven't had a chance to see it yet and you're ever in the Danville area, by all means stop by.  These folks are doing a splendid job with small scale processing, farm estate branding, working with regional producers, and working their way into more and more market outlets.

The retail facility is very attractive, carrying a wide assortment of KY Proud products, Marksbury branded items, an attractive deli case, baked breads from a nearby organic farm, and, yes, even Ale-8-One. 

The processing facility was designed with a view toward providing a top flight system for the humane treatment of cattle, pork, and poultry.  Marksbury co-packs for other producers and also sells under their own label.  There is a USDA inspector on site.  Costs per unit are higher for the smaller plant, but MF feels like they can deliver the value their consumers are looking for, particularly in the Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) segment.  You don't always have to be the low-cost supplier focusing on a commodity product to have a successful marketing concept.

LOHAS

The location is somewhat limiting for access to larger urban markets.  MF tries to make up for this with larger, frequent deliveries.  They are selling to a variety of restaurants, grocery retailers, and foodservices. 

Here are just a few pics and a link to their website.  I'd highly encourage you to stop by for a visit - producer or consumer.  Marksbury Farms fills a growing niche.

Marksbury Farm Market