How it works
How a Community Shelf works
Every shelf has two halves that always agree: numbered racks in a host space, and an online shelf that shows what’s on each rack right now.
For growers
If you grow
- Sign in and set up a profile.Google sign-in, then a short profile. It takes a minute.
- Apply to share.Tell the host what you grow. They approve each new grower once.
- Post your harvest.What it is, how many packets, a price or Free, and a photo. The host checks every post.
- Place it on a rack.Bring sealed, labelled packets and tap which rack they’re on. No bags or labels? The counter can help you pack.
- Get paid.The host tallies what sold and pays you on a regular schedule, by Zelle or cash.
For neighbours
If you’re looking
- Check the shelf before you go.Pick the shelf nearest you and see what’s on each rack today.
- Hold it for me.Give your name, mobile and email and pick a day. You get a pickup code, and the packet is kept for you until closing.
- Or just take a free one.Free items can be taken straight from the rack, with no account.
- Pay at the counter.Show your code on the way out. Free items need no payment.
For host spaces
If you host
A host runs the shelf day to day from a simple board. Most of it takes a few taps.
Review
Approve new growers and check posts before they go on a rack.
Run the counter
Mark holds paid or picked up, and release ones nobody collected.
Keep it fresh
Pull anything that is past its best-before date.
Pay growers
Settle up from the “Owed to growers” report on your schedule.
Trust
Rules that build trust
A shelf works only if both sides trust it. Each rule answers a real worry, and the important ones are enforced by the system, not just the screen.
- Shelf rule
Homegrown produce only
Vegetables, herbs, greens and fruit. Home-made food stays off until each seller has a cottage food registration where the law requires one.
- Shelf rule
Approved growers, reviewed posts
The host approves each grower once and checks every post before it reaches a rack, so every packet has a real, accountable neighbour behind it.
- Shelf rule
Labelled packets
Each packet is sealed and carries the grower’s name, what’s inside and the pick date. Anything past its best-before is pulled.
- Shelf rule
Fair limits
One packet per order, and limits on holds and free takes, so no one person can empty the shelf or hold everything.
- Shelf rule
Privacy by default
Phone numbers and emails are never shown publicly, and growers never learn who held their item.
- Shelf rule
Careful undo
Taking back a payment or a decision needs a written reason and a second confirmation, and it is logged.
Money
Where the money goes
Money only changes hands at the host’s counter. Growers never need a payments account, and buyers never pay a stranger.
- The buyer pays at the counter
- The host records the sale
- The host pays the grower
Free items never involve money. Each host decides whether to keep a small fee on sales.
Coming next
Swaps: goods for goods
Soon neighbours will be able to trade produce for produce, with no money at all. Mint for tomatoes, lemons for greens, confirmed at the counter like any other pickup.