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Community Supported Agriculture

Our work centers accessibility for our farmers by removing barriers to employment. This year, we are applying this approach to make our CSA more accessible to our community by providing 4 different price points, 3 different share lengths, payment plans, and a flexible market pick-up.


The Model:

Our  model has 4 different price points with the option to pay in full at registration or select a payment plan that fits within your budget. While we won’t ask anything about your life, resources, or needs, we ask that you consider the following factors:

Income is the amount of money you make, but wealth is typically passed down from generation to generation and can take the form of inheritances, land ownership, or earning power. Here are a few signs you have access to wealth and a comfortable income :

  • You work part-time by choice
  • You travel recreationally
  • You can procure family money in times of need
  • You have investments
  • You have received higher education that confers greater earning power

1) Here are a few signs that you don’t have access to wealth or have a lower income:

    • You have a chronic illness or medical expenses that may impact earning power
    • You are not certain you can meet your basic needs between paychecks
    • You receive government assistance
    • You face significant debt, immigration fees, or rehabilitation fees
    • You, or your labour, are criminalized

2) How to determine which price is right for you:

    1. The community share price may be right for you if you struggle to maintain access to reliable sources for housing, food, and childcare; for those living without consistent income or financial relief; or if you are in significant debt.
    2. The standard share price may be right for you if you are struggling to pay off debt, build savings, or move away from living paycheck to paycheck but still have access to a steady income. While you may not have a lot of disposable income, you are not spending most of your time thinking about meeting basic needs such as food, shelter, childcare, etc.
    3. The solidarity share price may be right for you if you have access to financial security or wealth; own property or have personal savings and disposable income; and do not generally worry about securing necessities.
    4. The contributor share price may be right for you if you have access to financial security/wealth—i.e. own property, have personal savings and disposable income, and do not worry about securing necessities.
    5. There is the option for a payment plan, sliding scale price, or both.

The Structure:
We have 3 different structures for this year’s CSA: a full-share, a half-share, and a quarter-share. Each week will include a variety of vegetables. The baskets will change in content and size over the course of the season; their value will average out to the cost of the program. However, at the Standard Share level, full-shares will include a discount ranging between 6% and 10% depending on the volume of food produced this season. Half and quarter-shares will meet or exceed the cost of the program but do not receive an incentivized price because they occur during the height of the season and, naturally, will have more high-value weeks.

1) Full-share: 20 weeks from late May to October
This option includes a weekly pick-up with shares averaging around $37.50 – $ 38.75 for 20 weeks with a total value of $750 – $775. Pricing per tier:

  • Community Share – $510
  • Standard Share – $700
  • *Solidarity Share – $779
  • *Contributor Share – $820
    • *These shares make it possible for community share members to join the program
    • Each tier is eligible for a payment plan. Members have the option to make either 2 or 3 monthly payments, with your first payment at the time of purchase.

2) Half-share: 10 weeks from June to mid-September w/ custom date selection
This option includes a weekly pick-up over 10 weeks. The weekly value will fluctuate with the season but will average $37.50 – $ 38.75 with a total value of $375 – $387.50 when compared to market prices.

    • Members will be provided a list of dates from which they may choose their schedule. There are 15 weeks of shares available on either Tuesdays or Thursdays.
    • Date selections are finalized at the time of purchase. We require two weeks’ notice for changes during the season;  pick-ups cannot be rescheduled to another week within two weeks of your selected date. If there are less than 2 weeks before your pick-up, you may switch from Tuesday to Thursday or vice-versa during your scheduled week or opt to donate the share to one of our community partners. Please note there are a limited number of shares available for pick-up each week, so it will be important to finalize your dates promptly.
  • Pricing – $375 for 10 weeks.
    • Tiered pricing may be available upon request. Please contact us to discuss sliding scale or payment options for 10-week shares.

3) Quarter-share: 5 weeks from July to mid-September w/ custom date selection
This option includes a weekly pick-up over 5 weeks. The weekly value will fluctuate; this option occurs during the absolute height of the season, with an average ranging from $38.75 – $41.25 when compared to market prices.

    • Members will be provided a list of dates from which they may choose their schedule.There are 12 weeks of shares available on either Tuesdays or Thursdays.
    • Date selections are finalized at the time of purchase. We require two weeks’ notice for changes during the season; pick-ups cannot be rescheduled to another week within two weeks of your selected date. If there are less than 2 weeks before your pick-up, you may switch from Tuesday to Thursday or vice-versa during your scheduled week or opt to donate the share to one of our community partners. Please note there are a limited number of shares available for pick-up each week, so it will be important to finalize your dates promptly.
  • Pricing – $200 for 5 weeks

The Set-up:
Our 2024 CSA will be market-style. Each week will have a suggested share based on the harvest. We will, however, run the CSA like a farmers’ market so members will be able to select items from a suggested share or substitute with items of equivalent value.

For example:

Week 5 Suggested Share Week 5 w/ Substitutions
  • 1 bu chard
  • 1 lb summer squash
  • 1 lb cucumbers
  • 1 bu herbs
  • 1 bu garlic scapes
  • 1 lb new potatoes
  • 1 bu turnips
  • 1 bag Sole Food mix
  • = value of $36.50
Members may choose to substitute items in the suggested share (based on availability and value) to customize their CSA.
  • 1 bu chard
  • 1 lb summer squash
  • 2 lbs cucumbers
  • 2 bu turnips
  • 1 lb new potatoes
  • 1 bu garlic scapes
  • = a value of $36.50

There will be items that are limited in quantity and there will be items in abundance allowing members to purchase additional produce at pick-up each week with a member discount of 15%. This discount applies to all members at any Sole Food farmers’ market, including off-site markets.

Details:
We have a limited amount of shares available at each pricing tier. For half and quarter-shares, some dates may have limited pick-up availability based on our member count for each week; date selection is first come, first serve. We cannot guarantee that all preferred dates will be available at sign-up. To setup a payment plan, please use the following codes at check-out:

  • PYMTPLN2 – Two payments: a deposit of 50% is required at purchase and the remaining 50% is due by March 18th, 2024.

  • PYMTPLN3 – Three payments: a deposit of 33% is required at purchase, the second payment is due March 18th, 2024, and the final payment must be made by April 29th, 2024.

Please email us at csa@solefoodfarms.com with any questions about payment plans or pricing structures, general inquiries, or requests for accommodations. You may review full CSA terms and conditions here.