In today’s world, where supermarkets have almost replaced grandma’s garden, a farm called “Goodies Farm” dared to bring real flavor back to the table. What began as a personal family quest has now turned into a mission to restore trust in natural Albanian products. In this exclusive interview for Business Magazine, we talk to Marian Saliaga, founder of Goodies Farm, about the origins of the business, the challenges faced, product selection, and future plans.
What inspired you to start Goodies Farm in 2018?
The idea of creating Goodies Farm initially came from a personal need to find high-quality, natural, preservative-free village food for our family’s consumption. Another strong motivation was a personal passion for food and a family tradition in this area.
What was the core goal – to promote Albanian tradition, health, or a personal passion?
When we opened the store, the goal was to promote Albanian traditions, but we were also aware that we were entering a business that needed to generate income. That’s why we decided to combine our passion for high-quality, natural food with traditional heritage to attract customers seeking a healthy lifestyle rooted in Albanian authenticity.
How do you organize your network of artisanal farmers and select the products you offer?
In the beginning, organization was quite challenging. We used to get small quantities from each farm, which significantly increased the cost of quality testing and transportation. We did everything ourselves. Now that volumes have grown, the process has become easier, though operational coordination remains demanding. Product selection is always made carefully and based on predefined standards.
What quality/ecological standards do you require in collaborations?
Our main condition is that products – especially dairy, honey, and olive oil – be packaged in glass jars to preserve quality better. The same applies to other traditional preserves.
How important has your presence on Instagram/TikTok been for your business growth? Which content formats have had the most engagement (reels, tutorials, storytelling videos)?
Social media has played a crucial role in the growth of Goodies Farm. In 2023, we started using the reel format, and this alone resulted in over 40% business growth. That was a key moment in strengthening our brand.
Are you planning to expand to other cities or implement broader online delivery?
Our wish is to expand to 2–3 other cities, but due to the nature of fresh products and logistical challenges, managing everything becomes very difficult. As for online deliveries to rural areas, there is high interest from customers, but currently, we haven’t found a transportation company that can offer same-day deliveries with appropriate refrigerated conditions.
Do you plan to target tourists (e.g., via hotels or souvenir sales)?
So far, we haven’t aimed our offer toward tourists, as they generally prefer ready-made food rather than products for home preparation. We don’t consider it a priority at the moment.
Which techniques are most important when starting a business with artisanal products?
This is a beautiful but challenging business. The products have a short shelf life (2–3 days), and if daily sales aren’t planned properly, losses can become unmanageable. Therefore, careful daily sales planning is key.
What mistakes should be avoided in the early stages?
There are many challenges to consider: accurate sales planning, supply coordination, product testing, professional refrigerated storage, production tracking, and proper packaging. We recommend starting with very small quantities to avoid major losses.
Where do you see Goodies Farm in five years?
In five years, we aim to have in-house processing for our entire product range – meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables – to ensure maximum quality and full control over the products. This is the next step toward growing and professionalizing our brand.
What started as a personal need and developed through passion and dedication, Goodies Farm has managed to build a bridge between artisanal farmers and consumers who seek quality and authenticity. With an eye toward the future and feet firmly planted on the ground, Goodies Farm continues to grow with the goal of offering safe products, carefully processed, and inspired by our rich culinary heritage.
0 comments