I had written a couple of months ago about how we are starting a CSA (community supported agriculture). It is where you pay the farmer at the start of the season for a share in the harvest. We still have 10 people in that (paying a minimum of $20 a week). By special request though we started a produce delivery service.

What we are doing is delivering a mixed box of produce (organic fruits and veggies) to people's homes, businesses, and boats for a minimum of $30 per delivery. They can pay ahead and get a discount or just pay as they go. No commitment is required, they can have a box each week, or just when they want it. For $5 extra they get flowers, for another $3.50 they get a dozen eggs. We harvest from our farm, then buy first from local organic farms (no matter how small they are). Then we buy from an organic wholesaler to fill in the blanks. We put in about 12-18 different items in the box, delivered with an icepack (they give us a $10 box deposit) in a 10 gallon rubbermaid container. We have gotten 7 customers in 3 weeks, the paper is publishing a story about us next weekend and the other island paper is also going to do a story soon. I just think that this system, which is very popular in England, could easily be done near any well populated area. It would also be a chance for the spouse who may not be interested in farming, to convert to delivering as their way of supporting the family business. My husband really pushed for it and wants to be our delivery guy. We figure as soon as we get to a total of 50 customers he can quit his day job. There is more on our website www.amysorganics.com (thanks for all the advice on that!) and I would be happy to help anyone who may want to start something like this in their neck of the woods.

Amy

-- Amy Richards (amysgarden2@earthlink.net), April 10, 2002

Answers

Amy, adding the flowers and eggs is a GREAT Idea! There is a guy here [ calif] who sells to all the famous restraurants.Good luck on your endeavor.

-- kathy h (ckhart55@earthlink.net), April 10, 2002.

Over the past several years people have become increasingly concerned about the quality of the food they eat . . . unfortunately, most people don't have the time, energy, ability or desire to grow their own. This not only sounds like a great opportunity for you, but also a wonderful service for the folks in your community.

Back when I was working a full-time job, I would have killed to find a business like this. Imagine the sheer luxury of having fresh, healthy produce delivered to your home! And yes . . . I would have gleefully ordered the eggs and flowers and even tipped the nice delivery guy.

Don't forget to put an extra business cards in with each delivery. If I were a satisfied customer, I'd be happy to tell my friends about the service.

I hope you keep posting about how your business goes. I'm sure you'll inspire many folks.

-- Julie Woessner (jwoessner@rtmx.net), April 11, 2002.