FoodMarketplace, the online platform where local food and wine retailers of any size can take their business online, will officially launch its site in the United States on March 10. For just $1 per day ($365 per year), local food retailers, including bakeries, will be able to instantly create a customized website where they can upload information about their store, including weekly in-store specials, online shopping, images and video, plus much more.

Retailers will also be able to engage with consumers who have questions, comments and concerns. To kick off the official website launch, the company announces its Thank Our Retailers campaign, which will reward four winners – two consumer/retailer teams – with $25,000 each (a total of $100,000) through an online contest.

As an added bonus, each retailer who subscribes before March 31, will receive a free 30 days with their first annual subscription, so the retailer will pay for a full year and receive a 13th month on the platform free of charge.  

“Communities across the United States are heavily sustained by local bakers, butchers and convenience store owners, which is why we believe FoodMarketplace’s retailer-based platform is so important in our digital age,” said Franco Lagudi, CEO and founder of FoodMarketplace. “Through FoodMarketplace, we’ll provide local retailers with a website platform that is easy to use and uniquely tailored for their target audience.”

Beginning March 10 at 10 A.M. EST, consumers across the country are encouraged to visit their favorite local food store, take a photo of that store using their mobile device or digital camera and upload it with a short testimonial to the “THANK OUR RETAILERS” gallery on FoodMarketplace.com.

Approved entries will be live in the gallery, where the general public can show support for an entry by becoming a fan and sharing via social media channels. Participants then tell their local food retailer that they have nominated them as their partner in the competition, and that their entry will be eligible for judging once that retailer subscribes to FoodMarketplace. Two winners will be selected by a judging panel in accordance with established criteria, and they will each split $50,000 in cash with the food retailer nominated in their winning entry.

For more information about FoodMarketplace, visit https://foodmarketplace.com/