CADE seeks a consultant to connect our network of clients with buyer and market matchmaking to increase local food procurement. The Goal of our project is increasing farm and food business profitability, viability and sustainability through market matchmaking. This consultancy position will act as a liaison to brokers and buyers of New York products and will report to, and work directly with, CADE’s Value Chain and Marketing specialist, Kaitlyn Sirna.

The primary objectives are to:

1) Enhance CADEs network of buyers who value purchasing local and New York sourced, regeneratively produced, and other value-based purchasing;

2) Map buyers’ procurement needs in 12 key areas (e.g., product specs, required certifications, min volume, delivery expectations, etc.) to facilitate ‘smart’ matches between buyers and producers; and

3) Provide an analysis of buyer landscape and demand for produce, products, value-propositions and other.

1. Create a scoring matrix that identifies successful market-matchmaking criteria based on metrics identified
2. Provide direct lines of contact and introduction to at least 100* impactful buyers
3. A final report with:
   1. CSV appendix with metrics on buyers in 12 key areas through interview or survey methods
   2. A brief landscape analysis of buyers, key findings and lessons learned of the current climate of local food procurement
   3. Recommendations for best practices for market matchmaking based on buyer preferences
      1. Appendix: template pitch deck and process that supports buyers’ needs

*RFPs can be submitted for one or more buyer-industry type, potentially changing the scope of the project and thus buyer deliverable

• Direct relationships with NYS brokers, buyers, and purchasers
  • Priority will be given to networks including public and private institutions, regional food distributors, grocers, and restaurant chains
• An understanding of the nuance of farm and food business procurement
  • An understanding of up/down state distribution and logistics in New York State
• A basic understanding of NY produce and local meat production, as well as seasonality and livestock raising timelines
• Highly personable, with comfortability in direct communication with buyers, and cold-calling if needed
  • Availability that is conducive to connecting with buyers
• Basic understanding of the data collection and organizing information into “.csv” files
  • Bonus if experienced with Hubspot, CADE’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool

(1) a brief letter of interest, highlighting your resume, qualifications, and how you would approach leveraging your networks to encourage local food and value-based procurement (Describing how you would encourage purchasing could be better detailed in #3);
(2) a sample list of past clients served, and identifying 3-5 broker or buyer relationships and/or networks you would leverage and have confidence in connecting with during this project that would support matchmaking (Please identify type of buyer using the following as a guide, or self label: Broker, Private institution (ex: hotel), Public institution (ex: schools, correction facilities), Grocer, Regional Distributor, Food Hub, Restaurant, Chain, Niche Market, Other) ;

(3) a proposed work plan, including a start date; and
(4) a quote for fee* for service to conduct the deliverables outlined.

*Fee for service should be all inclusive – travel, phone, etc.

CADE is grant funded and therefore the budget range is dependent on the start/end date, and the determination of one or more consultants. This project has consulting fees earmarked for up to $40,000.

No phone calls please. Farmers, people of color, persons with disabilities, women and LGBTQ+ consultants or MWBEs are encouraged to apply and will be given priority consideration for contracting.