What is a Market Share?
Our Market Share program is a hybrid selling model that combines what we think are the best parts of the traditional CSA program and the farmers' market. Our hope is that in this way we can provide a uniquely tailored product for our customers while also getting the upfront infusion of funds each season that allow us to keep growing.
CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) is a model in which customers are able to go beyond simply buying from a local farm, providing much needed support by buying a literal share in the business. Receiving the money in the early part of the season allows us, your farmers, to make the necessary investments in seeds, infrastructure, equipment, and field prep for the upcoming season. It also gives you, our shareholders, the opportunity to be more intimately involved in the yearly reality of agriculture’s inherent risks and fondest promises. By offering your support to us before we've put seedlings in the ground you place your trust in our farm and your hope in the possibility of a banner year. You also assure us that in the case of unforeseen damage from pests or extreme weather we will not bear the pain alone. This support is invaluable to the long-term sustainability of a small farm like ours.
In a traditional CSA, customers receive a box of produce each week with little or no choice in what they are getting. This can be great for people who want to try new things, be encouraged to eat more seasonally, and enjoy the adventure of having their weekly menu planning dictated by the season and their farmer's preferences. However, we know there are some who might want to be involved in the life of a small farm, but also want to maintain the choice of getting to shop for themselves (and take advantage of the option to include our beautiful flowers in their purchases!).
This is what we hope to provide with the Market Share program. Shareholders still pay upfront, but instead of getting a weekly share, they spend down their account over the course of the market season. Please be aware that if your credit is not used up by the end of the season, the remainder cannot be carried over or refunded. We'll try to keep you posted throughout the season about how much is left on your account so that you can pace your spending accordingly.
When/Where: The 2024 Market Share Program will be available at both of our Farmers' Markets: Madison on Fridays, and CitySeed’s Wooster Square market in New Haven on Saturdays. For planning purposes, we'd appreciate you letting us know which market you are likely to shop at most frequently, but you may use your share at any market, including anywhere else we may end up selling throughout the season. Please see the Market Schedule page for more information. If you’d like to pick up on the farm in East Haddam, please see the East Haddam CSA page
How much: The cost of a Market Share is $500, but if you get your payment in on time, you will be credited $550, an extra 10%, to use over the course of the season.
- If you pay by February 15, 2024, you will get the full 10% bonus for $550 to spend
- If you pay by March 15, 2024, you get an 8% bonus, for $540 to spend;
- If you pay by April 1, 2024, you get a 5% bonus, for $525 to spend.
Any sign ups not paid in full by April 1st may still participate in the program, but will not receive a bonus.
Spread over the approximately 40 weeks we anticipate attending markets, a full $550 comes out to be $13.75 per week. That said, the joy of this program is that you can spend your credit in whatever increments you find most beneficial. (If you want to blow all your credit on sungold cherry tomatoes or dahlias, go for it! We won't judge!)
BONUS OPTION: THE SUPER MARKET SHARE! For our most devoted customers, this year we’re giving you the option to get a bonus on any amount above $500 that you’d like to spend up front (according to the bonus schedule above). We’d advise any new customers signing up for the first time to stick with the regular share, but if you’ve done our program before and consistently run out of money mid-season, this could be a good option for you. Please send a check for any amount $500 or more, and we’ll automatically apply the bonus to that amount.
How to sign up: Please send a check for $500 to: Four Root Farm, 257 Tater Hill Road, East Haddam, CT 06423, along with a note listing your name, phone number, and preferred email address. We will send an e-mail confirming the arrival of your check. You can also pay with Venmo @fourrootfarm (the account is under Rachel's name).
