Q: Why free-choice CSA? A: We grow certified organic produce because we want people to eat it! The increased flexibility of our free-choice CSA system is going to make it easier for you to get the veggies you want when it is most convenient for you. You no longer have to take home items your family won't eat or you don't have time to prep. This means less waste and a better understanding for us about what produce we need to grow more, or less of each year.
In a given week, you can use as much or as little of your CSA share funds as you need on whatever goods you choose. On a salad kick? Load up on greens and radishes one week. Have pickling plans? Take home ten pounds of cucumbers and some garlic. Despise eggplant? Leave it at the farm for someone else to enjoy! Want a small amount of a wide variety of veggies, just like the old CSA share? You can still do that, only now you can pick exactly what you want in your share in whatever quantity you desire.
And finally, you will now be able to include in your weekly share goods we carry from other producers. This means in addition to our vegetables, your CSA share could include maple syrup, ground beef, Crimson Crisp apples, handmade lavender soap, or maitake mushrooms. Our entire inventory is now available to CSA members
Q: When does the CSA start, and for how long ? A: It's year round! Signs up are ongoing and your free-choice CSA funds can be used all year long. Unused credit will remain on your account year-to-year.
Q: How does this work? A: Customers prepay for their CSA share at anytime during the season, and we then credit those funds to your online account, to be redeemed at any point during the year. If you wish to come every week to the farm for your produce, you can do that. If you wish to shop with us and use your funds every week at the Midland Farmer's Market, you can do that. If you know home delivery is your thing, you can shop our online store and use your credit that way. If you know you will be out of town for two weeks in July, no problem! Your funds will be waiting for you when you come back. There's no longer any need to contact me to reschedule a pickup or arrange for a friend to come get your vegetables for you. And, most importantly, no more missed shares!
If you are loving the veggies and find you are running low on CSA funds, you have the option of replenishing your share anytime during the year. Free-choice CSA funds can be used all year long and unused credit will remain on your account year-to-year. Q: How much does it cost? A: Shares start at $250. Beyond that, you can set your value. If you're not sure where to start, estimate a weekly budget for vegetables, or what you think your family might consume, and multiply that by about how often you'd like to come out. Are you a once-a-week kind of shopper, an every other week, or a once a month-er? And remember, you can always renew your value mid season. Renewal values are a minimum of $100.
Q: When and how do I get my produce? A: As a year-round vegetable produce, we are able to offer you many options every week for getting your produce.
From May-November: 1) You can come shop and use your CSA funds at the farm store every Tuesday from 3-7pm, 2) You can shop in Midland from our Midland Farmer's Market stand every Saturday, from 7-1PM, 3) You can place an order through our online store every Monday and/or Thursday and either pick it up from the farm or farmer's market OR have it delivered to your home in Midland.
From December-April:1) You can come shop and use your CSA funds at the farm store every Saturday from 10-2PM, 2) You can place an order through our online store every Thursday and either pick it up from the farm OR have it delivered to your home in Midland or dropped at our Bay City drop-off point.
In a given week during the summer you have 4 separate opportunities to use your CSA share! Take advantage of any or all of these options – whatever suits your needs and schedule that week.
Q: I used to be a CSA home delivery. What are my options now? A: Not much changes, except that instead of me deciding your shares, you get to customize your share week-to-week by placing an order through the online store. Prepaying means you get your delivery, without having to worry about having payment around at the time of drop off. Gone on vacation? Skip a week and order again when you're ready.
Q: Ok, any other details? A: By signing up for our free-choice CSA, you invest in the farm and make possible another great season. We are offering the following perks to say thank you for your support:
Earlybird access to our online store (2 hours before non-member customers) Pre-order your favorites before we sell out!
Your choice of an organic cotton Good Stead Farm grocery tote bag or t-shirt.
Access to our U-Pick herb and flower garden, this year in a location close to the new pick-up room.