subject: Benefit Auction Ideas Using Vegetables [print this page] Say what? Benefit auction ideas for vegetables?
It might seem like an unusual question, but I recently had an individual email me with this inquiry. If one person has a question like this, I suspect others might as well, so let's tackle the question in an article.
Vegetables and benefit auctions aren't as crazy of a pair as you might imagine. I already broached the vegetable topic once in a previous article which examined the popular farm-to-table trend. Now, let's pare down that trend to the specific focus of vegetables.
Here are some benefit auction ideas for those not-so-lowly, rich-in-antioxidants vegetables.
** CENTERPIECES **
Many fall-themed centerpieces use gourds, either with flowers in a display or in a basket as a stand-along centerpiece. Geez, even a carved pumpkin (not a scary jack-o-lantern but one with an autumnal theme) could be a fetching centerpiece in October.
** DECOR **
Use vegetables as a display when showcasing a silent or live auction item.
For example, if you are selling cooking lessons, put some potatoes and carrots on a cutting board to convey the idea to your bidders.
If one of your items is the chance for a chef to prepare a personalized meal in your home, make the display colorful by using vegetables. Beets and bok choy in a bowl next to the bid sheet might catch a bidder's eye.
Select colorful vegetables with interesting textures. Use their natural visual appeal in your displays.
** SILENT AUCTION ITEM **
Put veggies in a basket and sell it as "A Farmer's Market Special, without the trip to the market."
Or if you've got a donation such as a crock pot, juicer, cookbooks, or cooking pots, throw some veggies into the donation to make the display look more colorful and less sterile.
** LIVE AUCTION ITEM **
CSA's are hot! It's a growing trend.
If you can get a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) group to offer you an annual subscription, that alone might be sexy enough to become a live auction item in your benefit auction. I have two clients who could easily sell this vegetable donation in a live auction and expect it to sell well.
Another great use of a CSA donation is to use it as a raffle item. This type of donation is not gender-specific, and it's something many people wouldn't necessarily think to purchase on their own.
Play around with those vegetables! I suspect you'll create a few new and fresh ideas of your own.
Copyright (c) 2009 Red Apple Auctions LLC
by: Sherry Truhlar
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