...and we're back! Ringing in the new year with new features, fresh opportunities for collaboration, and a whole lot of chilly weather depending on where you are in the country.
A little note from Laurie: in this newsletter we want to tell you about a sweet new tool for communities that you can use, share a couple of new OFN features, and give you some ways to support OFN so we can keep bringing you these newsletters...and oh yah, the most beloved open source food-oriented e-commerce platform in all the universe (honest, your contributions keep OFN alive and are a great investment in the future of community-based food security). We appreciate you!
Hylo
Collaborate, Educate, Inquire, and Innovate ✨
Joining forces with other values-based, cutting edge open source companies is kind of our thing, so we're happy to invite OFN hubs and producers to join us on Hylo, a community platform for people on a mission (that's us!)
Join us on Hylo to:
Share resources with other hubs and producers across the country or in your area 🌎🧑🏾🦱👱🏼♀️👩🏻🦰
Collaborate on best practices, marketing strategies, funding opportunities, and more 🤝📈
Inquire about OFN tools and features with our tech gurus Kent and Laurie ready to reply, or look to see if other hubs have asked the same questions or found solutions ⚙️🛠️
Give us Feedback about your experience and what we can do better 🗣️💻
Join us Here!
Features You'll Love
Vouchers
Did you ever wish you could give a prospective customer, your workers, or just someone you want to like you more a special code that will give them a one-time discount in your OFN shop? Us too! Well, it happened: that wish has come true.
Voucher codes can be used to offer shopping discounts to new or existing customers (who can say no to a discount these days?!) or they can be used as a type of digital gift card to use in prize drawings, birthday presents, or just because. 😊
You can set up vouchers by percentage or flat dollar amount. This is a fancy new feature so we may hit some turbulence, but we'll try to get you past any bumps quickly and painlessly. As always, make sure you check the OFN User Guide for an overview, and reach out via email, visit Kent during office hours or make a visit to Hylo to ask any questions!
White Label
Sometimes in life you want to look like a part of something bigger, and sometimes you want to be kind of independent. Our White Label feature is for when you're feeling a little more independent. Your shop is still part of OFN, but your customers only see your logo, and they don't see the OFN navigation on the top of the screen - it's like your own little private-label shop, kinda.
The White Label feature doesn't cost you anything to use, though of course with any feature you like we really appreciate any financial support so we can make more fun toys for you. To learn more about White Labeling, check out everyone's favorite online resource, the OFN user guide.
Hey, Change Makers, Help us out:
There are lots of ways you can support us all year round, moolah or nah we appreciate every type of contribution! But money works better to pay for server fees of course. Here's how to help:
Make an old-school donation: Every contribution counts, and every dollar goes directly to supporting OFN. To contribute at our shop, you choose your own donation "product", and our gratitude gets delivered right away.
If you are an OFN hub, you can add a donation "product" to your shopfront and invite your customers to contribute. Check out Grand Rapids Farmers Market Hub's shop to see it in action.
Buy some OFN swag: These union-made t-shirts and hats remind you and everybody who looks at you what OFN does: support everyone in a community. It also firmly establishes you as one of the cool kids...and $5 of every purchase comes to OFN as a donation!
Spread the word: Share our mission with friends, family, and colleagues to amplify our impact. Gina's our social media genius, and if you're not following OFN on at least two social platforms, you are missing out!
Contribute what's fair for your use of OFN: We don't gatekeep access to our software - that doesn't mean it's free for us to create, maintain, or support. It means we're trusting you to contribute at a level that works for you, knowing that our suggested amounts can work out to about a quarter of what you'd expect to pay to use another platform with similar functionality. When you contribute at higher levels, you help us support other folks who are just starting out or are in historically excluded communities.
Volunteer: Are you motivated, communicative, fun, and good-looking? You'll fit right in! Get involved in our community and contribute your skills and time to further our cause.
Let's work together to shape a future where everyone can access fresh, local, and ethically sourced food at a price that's fair for everyone.
Don't be a stranger.
With love and warm wishes to you and your community,
From your OFN USA Team
Don't forget to share this newsletter with a friend using the social media links down below!