1. What is Foodstead?

Foodstead is a private membership-based food collective that connects local farms with committed community members who value high-quality, locally produced food.

We are not a traditional farmers market and we are not a grocery store.
We operate as a member-supported distribution network.

2. How Is Foodstead Different from a Farmers Market?

Foodstead reduces your time spent selling directly to the public and increases predictable demand.

3. How Does the Purchasing Model Work?

We are currently structuring two possible models (finalized in partnership with participating farms):

Option A – Pre-Order Model (most common)

• You set your price and inventory.
• Members pre-order your products.
• We compile orders.
• You harvest and deliver based on confirmed orders.
• Payment schedule agreed upon in advance.

Option B – Wholesale Model 

• You set your wholesale pricing.

• Foodstead purchases product and handles member distribution.

• You are paid per delivery.

We are open to discussing what works best for your farm.

4. Do I Have to Provide Product Every Pick-up Week?

No.

Foodstead is built around real farming, not grocery store expectations.

We understand that:

• Crops are seasonal

• Weather affects yields

• Production fluctuates

• Some items are only available certain times of year

You are not required to provide product every week.

You are also not required to provide the same quantity each week.

You simply let us know:

• What is available

• Approximate quantities

• Expected timing

We adjust member offerings based on what farms naturally produce.

Foodstead is designed to work with the rhythm of the farm  not against it.

5. When Would I Deliver?

Delivery days are coordinated based on:

• Farm availability

• Member demand

• Cold storage logistics

We aim to create consistent, predictable delivery schedules.

6. How and When Do I Get Paid?

Payment terms are agreed upon in advance.
Options may include:

• Within 7 or 14 days

• Zelle, Venmo, etc. 

• ACH transfer

• Check upon delivery

We want payment to be clear, consistent, and reliable.

7. Do I Have to Teach Workshops?

No.

However, if you are interested in:

• Farm tours

• Seasonal workshops

• Skill demonstrations

• Educational talks

We would love to promote those to our members and compensate you accordingly.

This is optional.

8. What Types of Farms Are You Looking For?

We are seeking:

• Produce farms

• Pastured meat producers

• Egg producers

• Dairy (cow and goat products)

• Honey producers

• Bakers

• Herbal growers

• Value added products- jams, jellies, home preserved foods, etc. 

We value quality, transparency, and integrity in growing practices.

9. What Volume Are You Expecting?

We are building membership intentionally and sustainably.

We will start with a limited number of members and allow more as we are able. 

Our goal is to grow in a way that supports farms, not overwhelms them.

We want long-term relationships, not short-term pressure.

10. What Is Expected of Me as a Vendor?

We ask for:

• Clear pricing

• Honest communication

• Reliable delivery

• Product quality consistency

• Advance notice of seasonal changes or shortages

• We have no minimums or limits for vendors.

We aim to operate professionally and respectfully.

11. What Is Foodstead’s Mission?

Foodstead exists to:

• Strengthen local farm economies

• Increase community food resilience

• Provide members with direct access to high-quality local food

• Reduce friction between farm and table

We believe local food systems should be profitable for farmers and accessible to families.

12. What If I’m Interested but Have Questions?

We welcome conversation.  Please feel free to reach out! We know this is a newer concept to most people, we want you to understand and love it as much as we do!

You can:

• Email: jodimorton17@gmail.com or foodsteadnc@gmail.com

• Call or text 270-839-4730

• Fill out the Contact Us form on our website

We want partnership, not pressure.