HOW THINGS WORK
There are multiple drop-sites (LFN’s) throughout the country.
LFN admin determines weekly delivery time.
Producers decide which LFN they want to deliver to and attach their LFN profile to that particular node.
Weekly, producers go their profile on the LFN website to update what products they will have available for each LFN that they are attached to for that particular week. The LFN website automatically tracks their inventory.
Customers find LFN’s in their vicinity by doing a search on the LFN website.
Customers fill their virtual cart with products from multiple producers that are attached to individual LFN’s.
Customers complete their order and an invoice email is sent to each producer that has products that need to be delivered to that particular LFN.
Producers will receive a specific invoice for each LFN if customers have ordered from them.
Producers and customers meet at the LFN designated pick-up time for delivery of products. Delivery/pick-up time which is determined by LFN admin is the same for every week.
Payment can be handled with cash at the time of delivery or online payment by attaching a Pay-pal/Venmo link to the invoice.
ENGAGE
Ready to become a member as either a producer(farmer) or user(consumer)? Click https://localfoodnodes.org/
Join one of the Facebook “groups” attached to this page.
Click on the following link to to find a Facebook-Group in your vicinity for communication and interaction with your local node community. https://www.facebook.com/pg/Local-Food-Nodes-MN-102788467893890/groups/?ref=page_internal If there is no Facebook LFN group in your area contact us about creating one at your location.
Join the Admin Facebook group if you are a producer/vendor or interested in managaing your own LFN. Here you gain access to how-to videos explaining how to set up an manage your LFN producer/vendor account. https://www.facebook.com/groups/878364899275032/?source_id=102788467893890
Join the Customer Facebook group to join the LFN community. This is where community interaction takes place and you will also gain access to how-to videos to navigate our website as a customer/consumer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/877946042641381/?source_id=102788467893890
No LFN drop-sites near you? Click link if interested in starting one of your own. https://medium.com/localfoodnodes/so-you-want-to-start-a-node-d4c0e2c0f29a
MORE INFO
The Solution https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAFX_aHLl6E
The Vision (Community Hub = Local Food Node) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fjA68XwgPA&t=142s
Q&A
What is a Local Food Node?
Deliveries and pick up of food takes place at a predetermined place and time, this is called a Local Food Node, this is the physical location where the consumers and producers meet
Can a producer/vendor use an existing website on Local Food Node platform?
Yes, you can participate in our LFN online farmers market in one of two ways if you have an existing website.You can post a sampling of your products to the LFN website to let customers see generally what you have to offer and then attach a link to the products that will direct customers to your website where normal transactions take place. In this scenario, you will mainly be using the LFN website for marketing your products to an online community.
The 2nd option would be to post all of your products to the LFN website and take full advantage of the free online farmers' market features. In this scenario, you could try out the LFN site to see if it works for you while still maintaining your own website.
Does a produce/vendor need a website to operate on the Local Food Node platform?
No, the Local Food Nodes website is perfect for you. You will get all the advantages of having your own website without the hassles of managing it.
Features include:Invoicing
Inventory
Unlimited products
Access to multiple drop-sites and online sales
A platform that works well with perishable products or products that can be shipped in the mail.
Is there a limit to how many products I can sell on the LFN market?
You can post an unlimited number of products.
4. Can I sell my non-food products on the LFN market?
Yes, as long it’s legal you can sell it.
5. What is a vendor on the LFN market?
A vendor is someone that offers a service.
6. What is the cost?
For producer/vendors the cost is, forever, FREE.
For consumer/customers the cost is donation based. You determine the amount by how valuable you believe the service is to you.
7. How is payment handled on the LFN market?
Payment for products is handles between the producer/vendor and the customer. There is NO middle-man
Payment may be handled as cash at time of delivery or online payment through PayPal/Venmo.
