Built for neighborly exchanges
Gnome is neighbors trading tomatoes, not strangers meeting in parking lots. Here’s how the platform is designed to keep it that way.
Your address stays private
Public listings show an approximate area only — never your home address. Locations are rounded to roughly a neighborhood-sized cell, and exact pickup details are shared only after you approve a request, by you, when you choose.
Private messaging
Pickup chat opens only between a seller and the neighbor they approved — nobody else can read it. Conversations stay attached to the exchange, so there’s a record if something goes wrong.
Report & block
Every listing, Market, and conversation in the Gnome app has a report option, and you can block any user — they can’t message you or interact with your listings again. Reports go to a human.
Earned trust, not star ratings
Seller profiles show objective history — how long they’ve been on Gnome, how much they’ve shared and completed, and how quickly they respond. No anonymous one-star drama; just a track record.
Meeting up, the smart way
- First exchanges work great in a public spot — a porch, a driveway, a market, a library lot.
- Daylight pickups are easiest for everyone; bring a friend if it makes you comfortable.
- Keep the conversation in Gnome until you’ve met — it keeps a record attached to the exchange.
- Payment for sales is arranged directly between neighbors — cash or any app you both trust. Gnome never takes a cut, and nobody from Gnome will ever ask for your payment details.
- If something feels off, cancel. A declined pickup costs nothing; ignoring your gut can.
Food safety, between neighbors
Sellers are responsible for what they share and for following their local rules. A few things worth knowing before you post or pick up:
- Produce, plants, seeds, flowers — the heart of Gnome, and generally the simplest to share. Wash before eating, as with anything homegrown.
- Eggs — many states (including Ohio) have small-flock rules on labeling, refrigeration, and where they can be sold. Check yours before selling.
- Baked & canned goods — usually covered by state “cottage food” laws that limit what can be sold from a home kitchen and require labels. Look up your state’s list.
- Meat & dairy — heavily regulated nearly everywhere and mostly not legal to sell neighbor-to-neighbor without licenses. When in doubt, don’t.
- Pet treats & food — homemade dog biscuits and similar goods are welcome where legal, but pet food is regulated in most states (labeling, ingredients, sometimes registration). List ingredients and the intended species, skip medical claims entirely (“helps joints” is a claim), and check your state’s feed rules before selling.
- Not welcome on Gnome — alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, prescription products, weapons, and unsafe chemicals. Pesticides and fertilizers only in original labeled packaging.
This is friendly guidance, not legal advice — rules differ by state and county, and it’s each seller’s job to know the ones that apply to them. When you’re unsure, your county extension office is a great first call.
Growing with AI, honestly
The Garden Planner and listing assistant are AI helpers. They’re good at zone-aware timing and friendly drafts; they’re not a substitute for local expertise, pesticide labels, or food-regulation guidance. Results depend on weather, soil, pests, and seed quality — treat suggestions as a starting point, and always follow product labels and local rules.