I wonder if the business plan at Essex Farm - individuals buy a membership, and weekly pick up all the food they need for a complete diet - vegs, meat, dairy, eggs, frut, maple syrup, etc - all organic, horse-powered, etc.. Seems to be a winner, that could work permaculturally. Here's a summary of their operation...
http://www.newenglandvfc.org/pdf_proceedings/2009/EssexGHPM.pdf
Also, Mrs. Kimball has written a book - 'The Dirty Life" which I'm enjoying very much. They have 170 members now, $6K annual fee per adult couple, kid's rates, and a sliding scale for low end folks; with 8 employees, etc. It seems to have the flavor of a community-owned farm, providing an exceptionally healthy food source for the 'villagers', and financial security for a thriving natural farmer.
Any permaculture 'experts' ..... what do you think re: economic feasibilty and
permaculture possibilities?
(Also, I can see various pol/econ philosophies working out here.. profit maximizers could increase their prices at every opportunity, while those more 'communally' inclined, could hold their prices at whatever provides them an adequate and comfortable living.... and possibly undercut the 'greedier' ? :)
-Art Donnelly
