2024 CSA: How does tiered pricing work?

In alignment with our food equity mission, Eastie Farm is excited to announce that we are offering a tiered pricing system for our 2024 CSA!

Recognizing that there is a cost barrier for some to purchase our CSA, we now offer a tiered pricing system. This system allows customers to choose a price point that works best for them.  

We invite you to self-select your CSA price using the guide below. First, here’s a breakdown, from the highest to lowest cost:

Helping Hand Share ($50 / week)

This option is best for a customer who is able to financially support Eastie Farm’s mission of food access, help out their neighbors, and contribute to a more equitable food system on top of receiving their own weekly share. 

Market Share ($47 / week) 

This option is best for a customer who can afford weekly local groceries.

Leg Up Share ($40 / week or $25 / week)

We offer 2 discounted shares that are available if the market share is unaffordable. We use the honor system and trust that you are selecting the pricing system that you are able to afford. Request a discounted share here.

SNAP CSA

If you currently receive SNAP benefits, you can purchase a portion of your weekly share with SNAP. You are also eligible for the Leg Up CSA, meaning you’ll receive the weekly shares at a discounted price. Please fill out this form to arrange payment with SNAP.

Free CSA

As a pilot program, we’re offering a small handful of free CSAs for East Boston families in need. We are offering 6 weeks of free CSA shares, while the rest of the shares above are for 25 weeks. As we grow our CSA program, we hope to offer more free CSA shares to ensure equitable access to healthy food. Request a free share here.

CSA Pricing Self-Selection Guide

To determine which CSA price is right for you, please use our CSA Self-Selection Guide. This guide comes from Alexis J. Cunningfolk’s work on Sliding Scale Systems from Worts and Cunning Apothecary. Thank you for letting us use this resource!

Please select the Helping Hand or Market Rate Share if you identify with most of these statements: 

I am comfortably able to meet all of my basic* needs

  • I may have some debt but it does not prohibit attainment of basic needs
  • I own my home or property OR I rent a higher-end property
  • I own or lease a car
  • I am employed or do not need to work to meet my needs
  • I have regular access to health care
  • I have access to financial savings
  • I have an expendable** income
  • I can always buy new items
  • I can afford an annual vacation or take time off

Please select the $40/week Leg Up option of you identify with most of these statements:

  • I may stress about meeting my basic needs but still regularly achieve them
  • I may have some debt but it does not prohibit attainment of basic needs
  • I own or lease a car
  • I am employed
  • I have access to health care
  • I might have access to financial savings
  • I have some expendable income
  • I am able to buy some new items & I thrift others
  • I can take a vacation annually or every few years without financial burden

Please select the $25/week or SNAP option if you identify with most of these statements:

  • I frequently stress about meeting basic needs & don’t always achieve them
  • I have debt and it sometimes prohibits me from meeting my basic needs
  • I rent lower-end properties or have unstable housing
  • I do not have a car and/or have limited access to a car but I am not always able to afford gas
  • I am unemployed or underemployed
  • I qualify for government assistance including food stamps & health care
  • I have no access to savings
  • I have no or very limited expendable income
  • I rarely buy new items because I am unable to afford them
  • I cannot afford a vacation or have the ability to take time off without financial burden

Please inquire about our free CSA option if you identify with these statements:

  • I need immediate food assistance 
  • I can not access SNAP benefits, but I need them
  • I cannot afford to pay for all of my needs at once including housing, food, and family needs. 

* Basic Needs include food, housing, health care, and transportation.
** Expendable Income might mean you are able to buy coffee or tea at a shop, go to the movies or a concert, buy new clothes, books, and similar items each month, etc.

If you have any questions about our tiered CSA pricing model, please feel free to reach out to us at csa@eastiefarm.com.

If you’re ready to support Eastie Farm’s mission, subscribe to our CSA here. 

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