Retail & production
Online farm shops and veg box subscriptions
For local producers and farms, we build online shops with weekly box subscriptions, delivery zones and days set by the grower, and a shop for the rest of what the farm makes. Customers buy straight from the people who grow their food and have it delivered or collect it from a pick-up point. The farm knows in advance how much to harvest and pack.
Typical problems
- Box orders arrive by message, and the weekly list is typed up by hand in a spreadsheet
- The farm only finds out how much it has sold after the harvest is already in
- Delivering to any address on any day makes rounds impossible to plan
- People who taste the produce at a market have nowhere to buy it again
Suggested bundle
- Weekly box subscriptions
- Delivery zones and days
- Online farm shop
Telling the story behind the food
Part of the reason people buy from a local grower is knowing who is behind the produce. A page about the farm, how you grow and when visitors are welcome builds that trust; if you host tastings or farm stays, a full institutional website may suit you better. With SEO for searches such as "organic veg box" in your area, people looking for you find the farm rather than only the big supermarkets.
How a box week runs
On Thursday, the farm posts next week's box: whatever will be ready to pick, plus something from the larder such as honey or jam. Subscribers receive the list by e-mail. Until Sunday evening, each one can switch size, add eggs or olive oil from the shop, or skip the week.
On Monday morning, with orders closed, the farm opens the weekly packing list: how many boxes of each size, which extras, and how many go to each zone and collection point. You harvest only what is needed, pack by zone and print labels with each name and address. On Wednesday the rounds follow the zones, and customers get a message when their box leaves the farm.
The farm shop, beyond the boxes
Not everyone wants a subscription. The shop sells the rest of your produce, such as wine, olive oil, cheese, cured meats or preserves, with nationwide shipping for items that travel well and local delivery for fresh goods. See how such a shop works in our online store demo, built around a farm.
Start small
You can begin with one box size and one delivery zone. The online store then grows with more zones, sizes and products, without changing systems.
Frequently asked questions
Can customers skip a week or change their box?
Yes, from their account, up to the cut-off you choose, for example Sunday evening for a Wednesday delivery. They can also pause over the holidays without cancelling. You see the final list for the week once the cut-off has passed.
How are delivery zones set up?
By postcode or by town, each with its own delivery days and fee if you charge one. Anyone outside your zones can choose a collection point instead, such as the farm gate or a market where you have a stall on Saturdays.
The box contents change every week. Does that cause problems?
Not at all. Boxes are sold as a size, such as small or family, and you post what goes in each week. Subscribers get the list by e-mail before delivery, and anyone with allergies or dislikes can note them in their account.
How do customers pay for their boxes?
Subscriptions are charged automatically by card or SEPA Direct Debit in each week with a delivery. In the farm shop, each order is paid by card, MB WAY, Multibanco, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
What does an online shop for a farm cost?
It depends on the size of your range, whether you sell subscriptions and how you deliver. Tell us how you sell now and where you would like to be, and we will put together a quote. Request a quote
Shall we talk about your project?
Tell us what you have in mind and what you want to achieve.