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Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs have transformed the way farms engage with their customers, offering fresh, seasonal produce through various subscription models. Whether you operate a traditional CSA or a more flexible, customer-driven approach, managing orders, payments, and logistics can be complex.
Local Line simplifies CSA management by offering tools tailored to three popular models: the Farmer's Choice Model, the Customizable Box or Buy-Down Model, and the Subscription Model.
👉 If you want to learn more about which CSA model you should run, check out our article CSA Models: 3 Types of Community Supported Agriculture.
In this guide, we explain how to use Local Line's features to streamline operations for each model and enhance the customer experience.
The Farmer's Choice Model is one of the simpler models to run. Farms sell shares months before the season begins, often offering a choice between a small or large box based on household size. Customers commit to a certain period of time, i.e. spring/summer share, fall share, and pay upfront. As a member, they receive a standardized box of fresh produce weekly at a designated pick-up location. Often in this model, all boxes have the same contents and fluctuate as different items go in and out of season.
One of the major advantages is that payment is collected upfront, providing you with financial security. Since all CSA members receive the same items, packing is straightforward, and organizing delivery or pick-up options is simple.
However, a downside is that limited choices for customers could impact satisfaction and retention. Additionally, customers cannot skip a week, which may lead to potential food waste.
To effectively run your Farmer's Choice Model, you’ll need:
Here are a few features in Local Line that can help boost efficiency in this model:
Box Builder: Use Box Builder to create pre-set boxes for your CSA program. This tool allows you to define what goes into each weekly box, ensuring customers know what they will receive. You also can change box contents before all orders are finalized.
Product and Inventory Management: Track both individual items and outgoing boxes to maintain accurate inventory counts. All inventory in Local Line is automated, so no need for manual manipulation week after week. This ensures that customers receive the correct amounts while providing insights for future planning.
Order Reporting and Analytics: At the end of the season, pull a report detailing exactly what was sold, helping refine your offerings for the next CSA cycle. This is helpful for
This model builds on the Farmer's Choice concept by allowing customers to select their weekly box contents. Customers purchase credit at the beginning of the season and use it to customize their box orders weekly based on their preferences and the farm’s inventory.
Payment is often still accepted upfront; which, similar to the Farmer’s Choice Model, provides financial security for the season. Customization allows customers to pick exactly what they want week after week, which can help with retention. Additionally, by purchasing credits instead of being locked into a set box, members have the flexibility to adjust their weekly purchases, allowing them to better align with their lifestyle.
However, this model can substantially increase workload since you're packing individual orders rather than multiple identical ones. To succeed, maintaining an efficient and error-free packing process is crucial.
To effectively run your Buy-Down Model, you’ll need:
Here are a few features in Local Line that can help boost efficiency in this model:
Store credit: Store credit will be your best friend when it comes to running a buy-down model. This feature allows you to add credit to each customer, which they can spend on available products throughout the season. Track and monitor store credit in your customer table and bulk-apply to customers using tags.
In this video, we break down how to manage your customer tags and bulk apply store credit:
Price lists: Price lists are unique storefronts that allow you to customize your products, packages, and prices for different customers. Create a dedicated private CSA storefront where members can browse and select their preferred items each week. This allows your CSA members to get early access to product availability.
Automated order management: With Local Line, no more manually curating boxes based on customer preferences. All your customer order information can be found in your orders table, ensuring accurate fulfillment and inventory tracking.
Pick-and-pack lists: Local Line helps streamline packing by generating detailed lists that categorize items by order or product type, ensuring accuracy and efficiency. When fulfilling customized orders, pick from multiple different formats to meet your needs.
The Subscription model has gained popularity across various farm products, including vegetables, meat, dairy, and value-added goods. In this model, customers subscribe to a product or service (e.g., a weekly vegetable box) for a set period or indefinitely. Payments are collected on a recurring basis, such as weekly or monthly.
The subscription model offers several advantages. It lowers the financial commitment upfront, making it more appealing to new customers to CSA. With a subscription model, customers can skip, adjust, or cancel orders. Additionally, it attracts those who want consistent access to fresh food without committing to a full season in advance.
Since payments are not collected upfront, early-season cash flow can be impacted. Lastly, managing subscriptions requires more effort, especially if customers can add one-off purchases or frequently adjust their orders.
There are a few ways you can run a subscription model. Some farms opt to run a subscribable farmer’s choice model, meaning that they receive a standard box but can opt-in and out at any time. Other farms run a customizable subscription program, where subscribers receive a standard amount of credit on a set basis (i.e. monthly or weekly), and can build a box or order with that credit.
The team at Deck Family Farm run a Customizable Subscription Model that allows members to subscribe all year round but also build their own orders using store credit and a private price list. Learn more about how they fulfill 300 CSA orders weekly.
Depending on what your model looks like, you’ll need different feature sets; however, your platform must support subscriptions. Subscriptions allow you to automate recurring payments and order processing; whether that’s a standard box or store credit. With subscriptions, customers can edit, add one-off purchases, skip, and cancel in their Local Line accounts–providing ultimate flexibility.
👉 Need support building your subscription model? Download our free guide: How to Sell and Manage Subscriptions. We explain the ins and outs of running subscriptions with Local Line.
Each CSA model offers distinct advantages, and Local Line provides the flexibility to support any approach. By leveraging the right tools, farms can streamline operations, reduce administrative burdens, and create an exceptional experience for CSA members.
Ready to optimize your CSA program? Book a session with our team to learn more about your needs and how we can best support you.
