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For over 30 years, Steve and Lisa Cooper have built Coopers CSA Farm into one of Ontario’s most recognized community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs. Located just north of Toronto in Zephyr, Ontario, the family-run farm now serves 500 active CSA members and over 700 subscribers, offering a diverse range of products, including fresh produce, pasture-raised meats, baked goods, and maple syrup.
But running one of the largest CSAs in their region hasn’t always been easy. Managing orders, deliveries, and customer communications for hundreds of members required a platform that could scale with their growth. Over the years, the Coopers tried several CSA software systems, including Farmigo and Harvie, before ultimately finding their perfect fit with Local Line. Since using Local Line, their average order value has increased to over $100 per order.
👉 We hosted a workshop with Steve and Lisa! Watch the full recording of Running a 500 Member CSA.
After years of selling beef and grain in the 1990s, he and Lisa saw an opportunity to connect directly with customers.
“We were tired of hauling everything to farmers’ markets,” Steve recalls. “We wanted people to come to the farm and be part of it.”
Their first CSA launched in 2007 with just 50 members, managed through handwritten notes, Outlook, and QuickBooks. As interest in local food grew, their membership quickly ballooned to hundreds of families across the Greater Toronto Area. By the 2010s, they were delivering directly to customers’ doors every week, well before home delivery became the norm.
As their CSA grew, the Coopers turned to technology to simplify operations. Their first stop was Farmigo, which helped streamline customer management and deliveries. “Farmigo worked well for a time,” Steve says, “but eventually it wasn’t keeping up with how we needed to operate.”
They later moved to Harvie, drawn to its customizable boxes and customer-preference features. “At the time, Harvie was a game-changer,” Steve explains. “Customers could pre-fill their preferences, and the system would build boxes automatically based on inventory. It saved us hours.”
However, as Harvie expanded into food distribution, customer support began to fade. “It was becoming expensive,” Lisa recalls. “We loved the concept, but the interface started to feel clunky, and the personal service just wasn’t there anymore.”
When Harvie announced it was shutting down in 2024, the Coopers had a major decision to make.
Determined to find a system that could handle their complex operation, Steve and Lisa began testing every platform they could find across North America.
“We trialed three or four options,” Steve says. “When we met the Local Line team, it just clicked. They understood farmers, and it felt like the right fit.”
Local Line’s hands-on onboarding team made the transition seamless.
“The support team transferred all of our customer and order data from Harvie into Local Line,” Lisa explains. “They even built out our delivery zones across Toronto, which would have taken us weeks to do on our own.”
The switch was completed in early 2025, right before the start of their busy CSA season. “When we launched our store, everything just worked,” says Lisa. “Customers were thrilled. It was smoother, easier, and felt like a modern shopping experience.”
Today, Coopers CSA runs 46 weeks per year, delivering thousands of orders across the Greater Toronto Area. Using Local Line, they operate a “choose-your-own-adventure” CSA model where customers can fully customize their weekly boxes.
“We wanted flexibility,” Steve says. “Some customers want to order every week, others once a month, it all works. Local Line makes that possible.”
They also offer pre-paid credit accounts for loyal customers who like to buy in bulk. “If someone loads $1,000 in credits, we give them a 5% bonus,” Lisa explains. “It’s a win-win. They save money, and we get early-season cash flow.”
The Coopers noticed an immediate improvement in customer satisfaction.
“We had customers who’ve been with us for over a decade say this is the best buying experience they’ve ever had,” Lisa says. “It feels like shopping online anywhere else: simple, clean, and intuitive.”
On the business side, the results speak for themselves:
Beyond software, the Cooper’s success lies in their authentic connection with customers. Lisa handles every customer email personally. “We respond to every message within the same day,” she says. “It shocks people, but that’s what keeps them coming back.”
Meanwhile, Steve sends a short personal email every Saturday morning, updating customers on life at the farm. “It’s nothing fancy, just a note about what’s happening that week, but every time I send one, sales spike by about 20%.”
That human touch, combined with Local Line’s technology, has helped the Coopers turn casual shoppers into loyal, long-term customers.
Today, Coopers CSA Farm runs like a well-oiled machine. Four family members, Steve, Lisa, their son Trent, and daughter-in-law Kelsey, manage everything from production to marketing. Kelsey leads digital promotions and social media, using Local Line’s features to highlight weekly specials and seasonal products.
“Our team is strong because we each play to our strengths,” says Lisa. “Local Line gives us the structure to stay organized and the flexibility to grow.”
As they look ahead, the Coopers are focused on community and succession. “We’ve built something that can pass to the next generation,” Steve says proudly. “Technology like Local Line is a big part of that. It keeps us efficient, professional, and connected to our customers.”
When asked what advice they’d give to other farms considering a platform switch, the Coopers didn’t hesitate:
“Find a partner that actually listens to you,” says Steve. “Local Line has been that partner for us. They get what farmers need and keep improving every day.”
Lisa adds: “Make sure your system fits your customers as much as it fits you. Local Line does both; it’s smooth for us and even better for them.”
👉Ready to scale your CSA? Book a meeting with our team and learn more about how we can help you grow your sales this year.
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