Farmers markets experiential activation helped Oishii bring their premium, vertically farmed strawberries directly to consumers in some of the most competitive Northeast food markets. As the brand prepared to expand its presence, Oishii partnered with experiential marketing agency Evolve Activation to create an on-the-ground campaign that blended sampling, storytelling, and direct sales.
Challenge:
Oishii, a leader in vertical farming, wanted to generate trial and awareness for their premium Omakase and Koyo strawberries by tapping into hyper-local communities. The challenge: reach food-savvy shoppers in an authentic way while ensuring smooth logistics, brand consistency, and measurable results across multiple cities.
Solution:
Evolve Activation developed and executed a multi-market farmers’ market experiential activation across high-traffic locations in New York, New Jersey, Boston, and Washington, D.C. The goal was to showcase Oishii’s mission—delicious, pesticide-free, vertically farmed produce, while driving both on-site sales and long-term retail interest.
We handled venue research, price negotiations, and all logistics to ensure seamless participation in each farmer’s market. Our staffing team hand-selected Brand Ambassadors with culinary credibility (“foodies”) who could naturally engage with farmers market attendees and deliver Oishii’s progressive brand story.
The activation included on-site product sampling, branded signage, local sales enablement, and real-time event reporting, allowing us to track performance and consumer response at each location.
Results:
- Sold out of strawberries at nearly every market
- High demand and organizer requests for future participation
- Significant word-of-mouth buzz and social sharing from attendees
- Increased awareness of Oishii’s unique indoor farming methods
- Repeat traffic driven to local retailers post-event
Why It Worked:
Oishii’s success at the farmers markets stemmed from matching a future-forward product with a timeless, trust-based setting. Shoppers at farmers markets expect authenticity, quality, and connection—three things Oishii delivered in partnership with Evolve. This wasn’t just a sampling effort; it was a strategic experiential program that built brand loyalty at the grassroots level. From staffing and storytelling to sales and reporting, every detail was designed to create impact and scale.
Ready to elevate your brand with experiential marketing? Contact Evolve today to learn more.
