SLO farm stand launches a surprise, new price model: Pay whatever you can

People looking for fresh fruits and vegetables have a new, affordable way to stock up, thanks to a pay-what-you-can farm stand in San Luis Obispo.

Nonprofit organization City Farm SLO has run the farm stand at 1221 Calle Joaquin since June.

But on Wednesday, it launched a pay-what-you-can model for the produce. The stand also sells breads from Bread Bike, flower bouquets and wool, although those items are not sold with the discount.

The discount works up to $30 in total value, on produce like tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, berries, squashes, lettuce and herbs.

The farm stand is able to offer the reduced prices thanks to a partnership with local nonprofit Harvestly and individual donors, Rutland said.

“A lot of people did utilize the discount, which we were happy to see,” Kayla Rutland, executive director of City Farm SLO, told The Tribune. “We’re going to have to put more produce out next time, because stuff was flying off the shelves.”

“They can choose to pay their whole tab. They can pay a portion of it. They can pay nothing. Or they can go above and beyond and pay more than their tab, and then that donation is passed on to other shoppers who need a discount,” Rutland said. “Anyone, no questions asked, can come and get $30 off their produce when they’re shopping with us.”

City Farm SLO’s pay-what-you-can stand aims to increase sales for its tenant farmers while offering organic produce for every shopper.

“We want to make sure that our farmers are still able to get the price that they need for their farm business to be successful,” Rutland said. “As the same time, we want to make sure that any shopper can afford the produce, even our low-income shoppers.”

The farm stand is now only open on Wednesdays, but it will expand to Saturdays as well starting Aug. 23, Rutland said.

Shoppers can also visit sheep, chickens and baby chicks on the property and see what is growing.

“It’s kind of a whole experience,” Rutland said. “It’s not a huge selection. It’s a much smaller farm stand, but the special part is it’s all really good food. It’s all grown right here, and when people are shopping, they can experience the farm, too.”

For more information

City Farm SLO’s pay-what-you-can farm stand is at 1221 Calle Joaquin in SLO. It is open on Wednesdays from 1 to 5:30 p.m. and in the future, Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information about the farm stand, visit its website or call 805-769-8344.