How do I register?
Go to the registration page. Pricing for the CSA Regular & Mini Shares as well as the Food Lovers Shares will be there for you as well. The Food Lovers Shares are available only to those purchasing a Regular or Mini CSA share and are not sold as a separate purchase.
Can I pay by check?
Yes. You can pay for your share in one of the following ways: (1) Pay in full at registration by check, (2) use the farms payment plan that's listed on the registration form (3) use MC/Visa/Discover Card to make your purchase. Note: When using the payment plan, please pay the exact amount listed on the registration form when you make each payment. We encourage using checks to pay for your shares when possible, as the farm is charged 3-4% for each credit card charge.
How much food comes in a CSA share?
During the Summer Season, we offer two share sizes, the Mini Share and the Regular Share. During the Autumn Harvest we offer Regular Shares only.
The Mini Share is designed to feed an individual, couple, or a couple with a small child or two, depending on your eating habits. The Mini Share typically contains about 60% of what the Regular Share contains. The Regular Share is a one-half bushel box, which is about the size of a full brown paper grocery bag. The Regular Share is designed to feed 2-3 adults or a small family a good portion of their weekly vegetables, depending on your family's eating habits. Please visit the Summer Season and the Autumn Harvestpages for more details on quantity.
What can I expect in my CSA share?
We grow most everything that can be grown in this part of the country, when it is in season. That means no watermelons in January like in the grocery stores. If its in season in Tennessee, chances are its available in our CSA shares. In addition to vegetables and produce, your shares will include either seasonal berries or fruit (some weeks both), when its available, which is generally every week its in season. If you want additional fruit/berries, consider purchasing our Fruit Lover's Share. You can see a typical week's regular share in the Summer Season and Autumn Harvest pages.
Can I purchase any or all of the Food Lovers Shares without purchasing a regular CSA share?
The Food Lover's Shares are offered for purchase as a "little something extra" for those that have purchased either a Mini or Regular CSA share. They are not sold as a separate purchase.
Will I save money?
When you are deciding on which size share to purchase, remember that value doesn't mean cheap. With our CSA you will get premium quality and bang for your buck. As small farmers we cannot compete with Wal-Mart on price-that's a given, but, we can compete with them on quality, freshness, flavor, and service. Plus, your food dollar spent with CSA goes directly to the farmers growing your food, not to some large global conglomerate.
When does the CSA begin this spring and how long does it last?
The Summer Seasontypically begins in early May and ends in early September. There are 18 weeks of delivery. The Autumn Harvesttypically begins in late October and continues through the first week of December. There are 8 weeks in the Autumn season.
When do I need to register and purchase my CSA share?
Visit the registration page for details. The earlier you register the better for everyone! By registering early you:
(1)Get an early bird discount (2) Choose your preferred pick up location (some sites will be limited this season) (3) Use the farms payment plan to purchase your share (4) guarantee that your share is reserved for the season before we sell out of shares, or registration closes for the season.
What if I go on vacation during the CSA season?
We encourage all shareholders to share their box when out of town with an employee, close friend , relative or neighbor. Perhaps they would like to be part of CSA and sampling your share may just be what they need to make their decision. Friends are delighted to pick up for you if they know they get the goodies that week!
Why not buy at the farmers market?
We like Farmer's Markets. In fact, that's where we started selling our crops initially. The trouble is, often many of the best items of summer are in short supply, such as snap beans, early tomatoes, berries etc. If you dont get there early, you miss out! If it's a rainy day, you may not want to get out! In our CSA, you are guaranteed to get a wide assortment of whatever we are harvesting on delivery day in your share. Each week yields a unique harvest!
What if I can't eat the entire share in a week?
We delivery your share weekly, so that you will always have a fresh supply of food on hand to plan your meals around. Family needs do vary thats why we offer two share sizes. If you start out with a Mini Share and you want more food, let us know and we will move you up to the Regular size - just pay the difference!
We give many food storage tips for you in our weekly newsletters during the season. Most vegetables and fruits freeze very well, and can be enjoyed later. Always use the most perishable items of your share first, then freeze, dry or preserve the remainder! If have purchased the Regular share and you are still getting too much food, we will give you a pro-rated refund and move you to the Mini share. We ask you to make this decision before we begin week 3 of deliveries, you will know by then which size is best for you.
What if there are things in the share that my family will absolutely not touch, no matter what?
A few options: Give it a try -sometime food harvested fresh and prepared a different way tastes altogether different than what you have gotten at the market in the past. Give it away to a friend or neighbor, or use the freebie box at your pick up location and leave it behind for another person in CSA to enjoy. Feel free to take something yourself from the Freebie box - it's there for the Shareholders to enjoy!
Are the ingredients in the CSA box washed?
Everything has been rinsed clean to remove the field heat and excess soil, and it has been cooled down before packing to preserve the integrity of your share. However, the food is not table ready, you must still wash it yourself before serving, and that means everything from the berries to the lettuce! We advise you to always wash everything well before your family eats it whether it comes from CSA or the grocery store. We go the extra mile here at the farm to see to it that your vegetables are delivered to you in their freshest state. Everything is packed carefully and delivered in refrigerated vehicles to assure this. Our fresh greens will be delivered to you iced down just to keep them nice and crisp!
Can I share a box with a friend?
Absolutely! Keep in mind though that some things in your box may be packed in uneven numbers. You may want to try the Mini share rather than split a Regular share for this reason. You will need to bring a tote bag in which to carry home your portion of the split share, and this summer everyone will need to keep a cooler with an ice block in it to transport your share home. You are responsible for meeting and dividing up the share you are splitting with another, we don't divide it here at the farm.
If you are splitting either size share with another and are paying by check, please, send us only ONE check for your share. We only accept one check per CSA share. NOTE: Include the email and phone number for the person you are sharing with on the registration form.
What if I want to join the CSA, but the pick-up sites or times do not work for me?
Here are some options:
Team up with neighbors or co-workers who would like to be shareholders (or are already), and take turns picking up the share at the pick up location. This cuts down on the trips everyone makes!
If you would like to have a pick up location in your neighborhood or at your office, get together enough folks to make it worthwhile and we will personalize a delivery site for you. The farther in advance of the seasons beginning this is done, the easier it is for everyone. Let us know if you are interested. We are always looking for places to deliver our farm fresh products!
May I change my pick up location occasionally?
Sure you may! Be sure to let us know at the latest, the day before your delivery so we can get your share assigned to the right delivery vehicle.
What if I forget to pickup my CSA share?
It is your responsibility as a shareholder to remember to pick up your CSA share at your chosen pick up location or have someone pick it up for you. Its also your responsibility to notify us by email at the latest, the day before your delivery if there's going to be no one there to pick up your share. It is not necessary for you to notify us if someone is going to be there to pick up your share.
Occasionally someone will be unable to pick up their share for the week. If you will notify us by email 24 hours before your delivery day NOT to pack a box for you on your regular pick up day , you may come to the farm on the Friday morning of that week, between the hours of 10 am and 12 o'clock noon and we will have a share for you. No exceptions to this time frame on Friday morning. If you are not here by noon and we haven't heard from you, your share will not be available to you that week, it will be donated.
Still have questions? Email us and we will be happy to assist you!
