Adding products
Note: because of the cyclical nature of the process, it is important that certain aspects of operation not be done during the shopping cycle. During the delivery window, inventory cannot be adjusted; anything that’s missing will be marked as such at time of check-in.
Use the Producer Catalog to create or edit products and varieties. The Producer Catalog also allows you to view sales history for a single variety, or print replacement labels.
Note: you can use the filters at the top of the page to filter your catalog by items you have checked as Listed, Unlisted and Archived.
Add a “variety” to differentiate between product options, like sliced or unsliced bread, different grinds of coffee. You may also use varieties for different size offerings, like quarts and pints of berries. Each variety has its own price. Using the variety function results in a cleaner, more organized shopping experience for everyone so it’s important to utilize it.
You can use Edit Variety to set offer quantities, but it’s easier to use the Producer Inventory instead.
The number of items you deliver (that have been purchased) will be subtracted from your inventory; don’t forget to update inventory numbers between when the delivery window ends on Thursday at noon and when the cart opens Sunday at noon.Also, any price raises, including those on archived product, must be done before the cart opens.
New Products
Product name: Add details to differentiate your product!
Poor Product Names | Good Product Names |
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Note: You are limited to how long your product name can be. If your product name is too long it will get cut off by the label. This is why it’s important to NOT include the variety information in the product name and why the variety function is so useful!
Product Image: Products sell much better with a picture to match a great description! Your image must be 1024KB or less in size. JPG and PNG formats are preferable. See this FAQ page for tips for resizing photos.
Product description: This is your chance to sell your product! Customers appreciate information about products; so provide them with everything they need to make an informed buying decision, as well as something that makes your product unique or extra special.
You must include relevant information on production practices; producers must explicitly state if certain inputs or additives (sprays, fertilizers, antibiotics, hormones, etc.) have been used to produce the item.
Value-added products must include a list of ingredients as they appear on the package label. This info is typically placed at the end of the description using an “Ingredients” header so the information is clearly identified.
Product category and subcategory: Use the drop-down menu to select the appropriate category and subcategory for your products. What you choose is where the product will be found via the Market Home page. These categories represent our shopping “aisles”. You are only allowed to list products in categories you’ve been approved to sell (via your producer registration)
Storage: After the product is created, only staff can change this value!
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Production Types: Next, you will have a list of options for production types for this product. These check-boxes are used to inform the search and filter functions on the shopping cart for the member’s convenience. The types chosen will also show up in your product listings next to the product so that consumers can easily see what kind of production system is used for each product. You may check boxes for all applicable production types & attributes. If you have a third party certification please only check boxes in that section. If you do not have a third party certification please check boxes in the second section.
We are limiting it to these categories because our goal is to avoid unhelpful search results, such as having every vegetable come up under the “gluten-free” search results. Also, even if a category is listed above, we ask that you only use these attributes when applicable. For example, there is no need to indicate that flour is vegetarian. Please use your best judgment on what would be most helpful for customers using these filters.
For more information on these product definitions, see Product Definitions and Production Types.
First variety: Every product contains one or more varieties, which are distinct flavors and sizes that share general product characteristics, such as description and image. Varieties have their own prices and inventory quantities. You must define one variety now, but you can always add more later. Examples of varieties are sliced or un-sliced bread, different types of coffee grinds, pint or quart of berries. Not only does this save you time by creating fewer products it makes the cart look cleaner for customers to see all their options in one place.
Listing Status: Choose Listed, Unlisted or Archived. If you’d like to sell a product on-site as well, please see the following section “Selling Products on On-Site”.
Variety Kind: Enter the qualities (such as grind for coffee) that distinguish this variety from other varieties of the same product. If your varieties differ only in size, leave this blank.
UPC Code : If your product already has a 12 digit UPC code, there is a box in each variety page where you will enter the 12 numbers and then never have to print an additional label for that product as you sell it. However, there are some things you need to keep in mind if you choose to use UPC codes.
You must enter the entire UPC number
The UPC must be unique to that product, including flavor, size, variety etc. If one UPC is used for multiple variations of a product/multiple products it will not work and you must use the QR code.
Price varies by weight? Checkbox: A “by weight” or “variable price” item is priced by the pound, and its final sale price depends on actual, fulfilled item weight, which may vary somewhat from estimated weight. A “fixed-price” item has a specific, predictable price even if it happens to vary in weight. You cannot change this setting after the variety is created.
Variety Size: Enter a quantity and a unit. Examples: Half gallon. One quart. 16 ounces.
Price (per unit): This is the price for the current cycle. You can lower the price during the shopping window, but you cannot increase it. If you lower it during the shopping cycle, the new price will be applied to all orders in this cycle, including those placed before the change. Reminder: to cover IFC operating costs, a 15.% shopper fee will be added to this price when the shopper checks out. A 17.5% producer fee will be subtracted when your earnings are calculated.
Upcoming cycle price (per unit): Use this field if you list an item on sale for the current cycle but want it to return to its original price next cycle.
If you find yourself in the middle of a shopping cycle but you want to increase the price of an item you must create a new variety with the new price and reduce the inventory of the previously-priced item to 0. When the cart is closed you are able to change the prices of items without creating a new variety.
Quantity offered: This is the quantity you are able to sell in this cycle, or in the next cycle, if the delivery window has closed. You must specify a quantity, from 0-999.
To create additional varieties:
Click Producer Catalog and scroll to find the product you want to edit.
Click the Add Variety button
Add a variety kind, size, price and quantity offered
Click Save and close the tab. You will be back to the same spot on the Producer Catalog page so you won’t lose your place each time you edit a product.
You may edit varieties and products from the Producer Catalog page.
You do not need to let staff know that you’ve made changes to your listings, any changes will be automatically applied! However, if you have items on sale,something new or if you’d like additional promotion, please send us an email: info@iowafood.coop
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