Boost CSA marketing to stress less & grow more.

Running a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program is incredibly rewarding, but marketing it effectively can sometimes feel like a daunting task. 

Whether you’re launching your program for the first time, or trying to fill those last few spots before the season starts, a well-planned marketing strategy can make all the difference. 

With a focused strategy and the right tools (and mindset!), you can fill your CSA and build a strong community.

Continue reading for six actionable ways to help you attract more subscribers to grow your CSA membership quickly & sustainably.

1. Tap into your existing customer base & offer a referral discount.

Your current customers and CSA members are your best advocates. Encourage them to spread the word by offering a referral discount for $5 off for every friend they refer, or a fixed percentage off their CSA share.

You might also consider offering limited time promotions such as early bird discounts where you offer discounted CSA shares for customers who purchase before a specified date. 

You can also offer freebies like a branded merch product like a tote or t-shirt, or a free box of berries (or other specialty product).  

2. Cater to your customers with options & CSA customization.

Some people might hesitate before investing in a CSA program for fear of food waste. If they are given a large amount of produce, or receive unfamiliar items in their share that they don’t know how to store, prepare, or eat, this might dissuade someone from purchasing a share, regardless of the quality of your farm products, price, or convenience. 

Cater to all households and make the investment less overwhelming for buyers; offer options for your customers to choose the size, frequency, and length of their CSA shares (with options to skip a week with vacation days), and even build their own CSA box to increase the likelihood of new share members. 

GrownBy’s new customization feature builds custom farm boxes based on the farm's available CSA offerings. This allows sellers to offer highly curated options and personalized farm boxes based on customer buying patterns, preferences, and inventory. 

3. Leverage your marketing with urgent messaging. 

Whether you prefer sending emails, texts, or social media, adopting the appropriate language for every campaign can make all the difference. 

Use eye-catching visuals of your farm, fresh produce, or CSA boxes to grab attention, then create urgency and emphasize the limited availability and quality in every campaign.

Example Caption: “Only 5 spots left for our spring CSA! Don’t miss out on weekly shares of farm-fresh veggies, fruits, and eggs. Sign up today before it’s too late!”

4. Collaborate with local businesses & community groups.

Building connections within your local community is a powerful way to promote your CSA program. Engaging with businesses and groups that share similar values or cater to your target audience can amplify your reach and create mutually beneficial relationships.

Fostering a collaboration might be as simple as displaying flyers or postcards at a local cafe, or offering a discount code at a yoga studio or gym to promote a healthy lifestyle. If you have any wholesale partners, like a local restaurant, consider offering a CSA special for their patrons as well. 

• Coffee Shops or Cafes: Display flyers or offer discounts for CSA members at their establishments.

• Yoga Studios or Gyms: Promote your CSA as part of a healthy lifestyle.

• Hiking, Running, or Cooking Clubs Promote your CSA as part of a healthy lifestyle 

• Local Influencers: Partner with food bloggers, chefs, or sustainable living social media influencers who align with your farm’s values to reach a broader audience.

• Wholesale Suppliers offer a CSA special to your wholesale suppliers' patrons 

• Schools or Education Programs promote farm-to-school connections and offer CSA subscriptions tailored for families; you can also organize farm tours to educate children (and parents!) about sustainable farming and healthy eating.

5. Offer flexible payment options and register for SNAP Online.

Make signing up as accessible as possible by providing multiple payment options. Learn how to configure payments on your GrownBy storefront via Stripe processing.

You might consider the following for GrownBy customers:

• Offer payment plans — monthly, weekly, or pay-in-full options

• Accept multiple forms of payment — debit or credit, ACH, or cash

• Offer discount for paying in full upfront — farmers get paid for the season

• Offer income-based pricing — tiered pricing or sliding scale payment options

• Accept EBT/SNAP benefits — expand food access

If you haven't already, consider getting certified to accept SNAP EBT online. While this process takes several weeks to a couple months, it is well worth the time and effort to make your CSA financially accessible to your community. Our team will even help you get authorized.

6. Participate in community events.

Actively engaging in community events and leveraging campaigns like CSA Week can create opportunities to connect with potential members and build strong, lasting relationships within your local area. The visibility and trust you establish through community efforts can significantly boost your CSA memberships and reinforce your farm's role in the community.

Every year, the CSA Innovation Network hosts CSA Week — a week in February that educates farmers and consumers on the benefits of joining a CSA. Be sure to add your farm to the map so new customers can find you, and utilize their free resources to spread the word and get your farm out there. 

Many towns and cities host "Support Local” initiatives, especially around key shopping events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Check your town’s website for community calendars that list upcoming events, search for seasonal festivals, farmers’ markets, business expos, wellness fairs, and holiday gatherings, and participate by offering exclusive CSA deals or special seasonal boxes to attract customers looking for meaningful, local gifts.

We wish you the best of luck finding and feeding your CSA subscribers! Be sure to let us know any sales strategies and marketing ideas you have for conquering this hectic time of year.

GrownBy is the seamless, all-in-one solution for local farm sales.

GrownBy is the only farmer-owned marketplace and CSA management system that platforms your products and give consumers the opportunity to find and buy your farm products.

Build your farm shop on the GrownBy Marketplace for free and start selling your products in less than an hour. Everyone on our support team has farming experience and we will help you build your online farm shop, build custom CSAs, and get you SNAP Online Certified for free.

Stay updated on our farmers market tips.

Stay tuned for more information, tips, and inspiration for creating, marketing, and improving your product listings on your farm store. Grow with us at @farmgenerationscoop and @grownbyapp.

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