FAQS
Should I get a choice-style share or pre-box share?
Depending on your pick up location you may have this option. If your schedule is tight during pick-up time or if you arrive later during the pick-up time but would prefer more variety a pre-box share might be for you. Choice-style does take a little more time and what is available near the end of pick-up will vary from week to week. It is dependent on the harvest and what other members that arrived earlier in the pick-up time chose.
Will there be a swap box that can be used by choice-style share members as well as pre-boxed?
Yes.
I forgot my empty crate.
If you do not have your empty crate at CSA pickup, we ask that you transfer your share to a reusable bag. Consider having an extra bag or two in your vehicle or office. The farm has a limited amount of crates and if just a few members do not bring their empty crates back we begin to run short. We would rather not use cardboard boxes as it works against our sustainability practices and can get expensive.
Can I split a share?
You are welcome to split a share with someone else, but must coordinate that on your own. You can alternate every week with who picks up the share. Splitting the share at the CSA pick-up is also an option, just be sure to bring bags as additional crates cannot be used.
Once you begin a season if you find that the small share quantity is not sufficient your share size can always be increased for the remainder of the season.
Can I switch from a choice-style share to a boxed share or vice versa?
If your initial choice is not working out for you, you can change your preference for the remainder of the season. Keep in mind if you are changing to a choice-style and your home site does not have that as an option, you would need to change your pick-up location. Please contact the office via call or email and we will assist you.
I like to plan my meals ahead of time, will I know what produce I am getting in my share?
Usually, the day before your CSA pickup, you will receive an email newsletter letting you know what is expected in your share. We always say Mother Nature has the final say on what is harvested and we cannot always predict what those items may be. If the weather differs by 10 or 20 degrees, we have downpours or cool, cloudy days this can affect the items and the quantity harvested. These choices are made so the product that is put in the hands of the members is at its peak and we keep our plants healthy so they keep producing for us through the season.
We encourage members to have many meals in their repertoire and substitute ingredients. There are so many recipes where ingredients can be swapped out. If you need ideas we are always here to help. Part of the CSA adventure is to eat with the season and what is available.
How can I sign up for the e-newsletter?
The e-newsletter is sent to the email address provided at CSA registration. If there are two of you splitting a share please provide the other members email as well. Our newsletters come through Constant Contact, if you are not receiving them please check that it is not going to your spam folder. Email us at farm@farmerdaves.net and we will look into it for you.
I have too much food! Any ideas?
At certain points of the season the shares are abundant. That abundance of beautiful, in season produce presents a great opportunity to enjoy the items in the off season. Whether it is fruit or vegetables, preserve it by canning, freezing, dehydrating or fermenting. Make chilis, soups and casseroles, wrap and freeze. Check out our food preservation links, favorite cookbooks and recipe blog. Share the produce with neighbors and friends or leave the produce in the swap box and it will be donated to one of our hunger relief partners.
Can I buy larger quantities of some produce for freezing, pickling, fermenting or canning?
We offer bulk add-ons during certain weeks when there is more than enough in the fields to provide for the CSA members, an email will be sent to the CSA members with the add-on availability for the upcoming week. If Mother Nature changes her plan then the availability of certain items may be shorter than expected.
Is the CSA less expensive than getting my vegetables elsewhere?
You can always find food cheaper somewhere else, but we have found that for the same quality vegetables grown with similar methods, the CSA can save the shareholder a lot of money, especially during the main season (June through December). Every year, the weather determines if there is an abundant crop or not. In the years that the harvest is bountiful, the CSA members benefit by receiving more vegetables in their share, which increases the savings. The opposite is true in years when the crops don’t do well. This highlights the very unique relationship between the farmer and the CSA member in that the CSA member shares the risks and also the rewards of farming that the farmer experiences.
For the main and late season (June through December), CSA members have consistently received a much better value than they would have paid for the same product elsewhere. The spring shares are still an excellent value, but cost more per week than the main season shares due to increased production costs involved in storing roots and growing inside a greenhouse.
By supporting Farmer Dave’s CSA you not only receive the freshest produce around, but you are helping to sustain a small, local farm, in a food culture that favors large agribusinesses that utilize natural resources and land unsustainably.
What do I do when I get behind on my fruit share?
Our fruit is picked at its peak of ripeness for maximum flavor and nutrition. We suggest taking a quick inventory of your fruit and determine what needs to be eaten sooner rather than later. Berries need to be eaten sooner but are easy to freeze unwashed then used later, if you find yourself with extra. Stone fruit can be sliced, removed from the pit, dipped in lemon juice and frozen on a sheet tray and bagged for use later in pies, breads, smoothies, jams etc. With apples and pears consider making sauce or butter then can or freeze. Pies and crisps can be made and frozen for later as well. Melons and be pureed and frozen or cut into a large dice and frozen on a sheet tray then bagged, plenty for making smoothies and cocktails.
Does Farmer Dave’s offer payment plans or can SNAP benefits be used?
Yes! To request a payment plan or a SNAP contract please email farm@farmerdaves.net and let us know your name, email, phone number, what shares you are interested in and the pick-up location you would like. Our office number is 978-349-1952. A staff member will get back to you.
If I have any questions about my pick-up, my share or items in my share, who do I contact?
We are always here to answer questions! The Office number is 978-349-1952 and email is farm@farmerdaves.net. Ask away!