We Opened a Can of Worms

Four weeks ago, Molly and I decided to try an online-only version of the newsletter instead of continuing the hard paper copies. We said we would review all your comments and then come to a final decision about how to continue.
I did not expect the level of response we received, nor how passionately people feel on both sides of the issue. The majority of  you who responded applaud the change, while a significant minority were unhappy.  I do not like to make decisions just based on what the majority thinks, since consensus is important to me.
We grow wonderful fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and eggs for you, but that is not all we’re about. An important component of what we do is the connection with you, the community around the farm, and the education about the all facets of farm. What has distinguished us from other farms over the past fourteen years has been our weekly newsletter. I have remarked to many people that writing the newsletter is the most important work I do each and every week.
I sense that with the continuous rush of technology that invades our lives, we at the farm represent something that is stable, wholesome and real in what some see as an ever-increasing  virtual world.
I also have to face the reality, however, that with ever-increasing costs of production, I have to cut costs or increase the cost of the box. I am very aware that in many of you are making very real sacrifices so that you can pay for your Eatwell box in this difficult economic climate.
I am proposing to bring the paper newsletter back for the next four weeks. Your comments are appreciated.  Many thanks!  —Nigel

Comments

[c.cosgrove]

I share my box with an elderly friend who lacks computer access -or savvy :-). I give her the printed newsletter when I drop off her share on my way home, and get mine online. Perhaps you could make printed copies available in the same way you make "goodies" - a small stack with a cross-off list for those who request it?

[Daniel Del Grande]

Nigel,

I'm in favor of a paper newsletter available at the box pick up site. B&W is fine, and just keep it to one double sided page unless something really special needs to be written about!

The farm is real and I like it being separate from the virtual world I spend 1/2 my workweek on. Simply, I'd rather not have to boot up my laptop as I browse this weeks box bounty and plan menus. I will end up skipping the on line newsletter, and losing the weekly connection to the farm's going-ons, and default to familiar recipes instead of trying the new ones you suggest.

The waste and number of reams of paper arguments are not relevant unless the newsletter has no value to you and the members. You'll need to include the cost of the newsletter in the business case for your frontline box price. Assuming the newsletter has value, I estimate that members would likely use two sheets of paper if they print it out, and more expensive ink than your fancy laser printer job in bulk in the farm office. If only 80% of the newsletters are being picked up, print only 85% of the newsletters for each sites membership to reduce waste.

My 2 cents.

Dan
Owner and Brewer
Bison Organic Beer

[liza]

Hi Why not print lesser copies and leave a stack at the delivery spot- then those that want a printed copy can get one and those that are happy with a computer copy can just use that?

[Joel S]

I love having the paper newsletter but I'm perfectly happy to print it at home in order to save the farm that cost. Others may not be able to do the same or prefer not to, no doubt.

I wonder if it is possible to poll the members of each drop off location and aim to include a number of newsletters for those who absolutely can't/won't print the PDF version at home?

[Beyondasiaphilia.wordpress.com]

I think that, as conscious consumers, it's great that we're aware of the environmental cost of using so much paper every week for the newsletter. I think it's a positive thing that Eatwell has found a concrete way to reduce its contribution to the waste stream, to save paper and trees, and to otherwise decrease the amount of impact we have on the planet's ecosystem. It's a small price to pay to give up the convenience of a paper newsletter in order to help to preserve the fragile balance of the Earth's resources.

[Maureen Hodson]

I like the paper newsletter, but I'll take it either way - if its emailed I just print it myself! Maybe try to cut costs by using cheaper paper and only printing in black and white?

[Erin Heath]

I initially was disappointed when I thought I would have to get the newsletter online-a change, a little less convenient(I might have to print out a recipe), but I also acknowledged that saving paper is always good(I hadn't really thought about the cost/labor, etc). I think you should go for it. Try a month without, give us time to change our habits, then ask for comments.
I don't really understand the vehemence behind opinions. I guess Eatwell box folks are passionate about even relatively trivial things.
Erin-San Rafael

[Diana, Andrew and Luka (Weiner)]

We just wanted to add our two cents: We love to have the paper newsletter handy in our kitchen, so we can try out recipes, read about what's in the fridge/fruit basket that week, and have a physical record of each week's news and recipes (without having to go online and print). Please bring the newsletter back!

[Michelle Moritz]

While I feel like I spend too much time in front of a computer, I think that you should go paperless (and ink-less) with the weekly newsletter. $15,000 per year on ink alone is wasteful, not to mention all the paper and all the time it takes to print and collate.

[Eve Fox]

The printed enewsletter has always been one of my favorite things about the produce box - I save them all for the great recipes.

Would it be too complicated to let people choose how they want to receive it?

[Skyler]

I had a couple of ideas - maybe these have been voiced already.

1. Would making the newsletter opt-in be too complicated? If people had to request a copy then you could only print out that many per drop location.

2. What about just printing a couple per location, maybe 20% of the boxes at that location. If people really wanted one they could try to pick up their box early.

3. In any case, lowering the quality of the print could be an option - they are very high quality right now, but maybe just having it black/white and at a lower quality setting would save a lot of money.