What is a CSA? Why Buy Local? Why Buy Organic?

What is a CSA?
CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. CSA is a system of sourcing local, seasonal food directly from the farm by buying shares at the beginning of our growing season. This model creates a support system that allows the farm to focus more energy on producing high quality goods. Shareholders, in turn, get a weekly selection of ultra-fresh produce and the knowledge that their food comes from a well known, reputable source. This approach strengthens the environmental and economic health of the region. CSAs do not require families to participate in farm work, as a farm co-op would. CSAs such as ours are carefully managed to produce the highest quality goods.

Why Buy Local?
Buying food locally allows you to enjoy food soon after it was picked to maximize nutrition and freshness. It also gives you access to a variety of fruits and vegetables that may not be available in stores. Each vegetable we grow has a history and many of them are unique varieties. Have a question about any of our produce? Ask us! We offer weekly recipes to members and you can always ask our cooking advice!

Why Buy Organic?
Organic growing methods support a foundation of good health for our society and for the environment. We grow organically because we believe that our food system must provide safe and nutritious products while preserving the health of the soil. Poplar Ridge Farm is USDA Certified Organic. We adhere to the strict standards of this certification to bring you a bounty of safe, wholesome foods for you and your family.

Have questions about membership? See below for answers to some of our Frequently Asked Questions

1. When do you expect the 24 week Spring/Summer season to begin? When do you expect the 10 week CSA Fall Season to begin?
2. What will be in my ½ – ¾ bushel order each week?
3. As a member can I order more than my CSA box in any given week?
4. In addition to Poplar Ridge Farm’s produce, how do I purchase products from PRF partner farmers?
5. Can you tell me more about your partner farmer products?
6. How do I receive my share every week?
7. How do the central drop locations work? What if I am late?
8. How are Host families selected and how can I volunteer?
9. Am I on your door-to-door delivery route?
10. When are the hours if I pick-up my share at the farm?
11. What happens if I miss my share pick-up at the farm or at the delivery location?
12. What do I do with my CSA boxes and egg cartons?
13. Can my community create its own central drop location?
14. What if I’m going to be out of town on CSA days?
15. What is the procedure for half share members?
16. What if I am sharing my CSA produce with my neighbors and they are not listed as members?
17. Are there refunds if I move mid season or my circumstances change?
18. What if I cannot identify some of the vegetables in my CSA box?
19. Why is it important to read the weekly newsletters?
20. If I am not a CSA member can I still order any of your products?
21. If I have questions, what is the best way to contact the farm?

CSA SEASON AND HARVEST INFORMATION

1.  When do you expect the 24 week Spring/Summer season to begin?  When do you expect the 10 week CSA Fall Season to begin?

Depending on the weather, and therefore production rates, we will begin the 24 week CSA season in mid-May and end in October.  We will begin the Fall/Winter CSA season the week after the 24 season ends—the last week of October or the first week in November.   If we are not at full production at the beginning of each CSA season, we sometimes start by delivering shares to half of our members one week and the other half the next week.  Email us at info@poplarridgefarmnc.com for detailed membership and delivery fees.

A hot and dry spell during the summer may dictate that we close the farm for two weeks during that time, but don’t worry we will extend the season so that members receive 24 boxes of produce.

2.  What will be in my ½ – ¾ bushel order each week?

Your order will contain approximately 5-6 items in early spring and fall when the harvest is just beginning and 8-10 items in high season.  Each item ranges from ½ pound – 3 pounds per item.  Tomatoes range between 3-5 lbs per week in the high season. Herbs are 2/3 of an ounce.  Micro greens are usually received in half ounce quantities.  In high season you may have both a box and a grocery bag of goodies so be sure you pick up everything. Each box contains the same selection of that week’s harvest. Click here for lists of the produce we grow.

Box quantities can vary due to the season, but value for 2012 will average at $38 per week or higher.  In addition to fresher and nutritious seasonal food, CSA membership with your local farmer provides organic produce at a better value than retail on most items.

3.  As a member can I order more than my CSA box in any given week?

Having a party, visiting friends or preserving and freezing for the winter?  Extra items may be purchased in addition to your weekly subscription.  Items will be listed in the Harvest List of our weekly newsletters. Orders for additional items must be in by 12:00 noon on Mondays and will be included with your order on Wednesday.

PARTNER FARMER PRODUCT INFORMATION

4.  In addition to Poplar Ridge Farm’s produce, how do I purchase products from PRF partner farmers?

Through some of our area farmer friends, we provide EGGS, POULTRY, CHEESE, COFFEE and BAKED GOODS.   If you sign up to receive these items, we will have them available once every four weeks.

Eggs, coffee, bread and cheese are delivered with your weekly box that Wednesday, and these products are preordered, so let us know the quantity you want each month. We will send you an invoice for these items at the beginning of the season once we confirm our farmer’s prices (i.e. if you want 5 dozen eggs a month for all 6 months, we will charge you for exactly 30 dozen eggs at the beginning of the season.)

Poultry must be picked up at the farm, but don’t let this discourage you from ordering! The poultry, along with the other products, can all be ordered in bulk and frozen! Poultry also requires a $50.00 deposit for each product due March 1^st with your membership fee. We will send supplemental invoices once the deposit has run out.

5. Can you tell me more about your partner farmer products?

All of our partner farmer products come from area farmers using sustainable practices.Our poultry comes from a neighboring certified organic farm, New Town Farms, just 1.5 miles down the road. The chickens are raised on pasture and processed humanely on the farm.

Turkeys come from a farm 80 miles away, Oaklyn Plantation. The turkeys are also pasture-raised with no hormones or antibiotics.

Our eggs come from a North Carolina farm that is part of the Rutherford County not-for-profit state cooperative. Their hens are pasture-raised and fed organic feed made by the farmer from the grain that he grows. The eggs are Grade-A candled.

Goat Cheese comes from a farm just outside of Waxhaw, Bosky Acres. The goats are pasture-raised with no hormones or antibiotics and fed whole grains and hay.

The organic coffee comes from custom-roaster One Planet Coffee in Chapel Hill, NC. The beans are small-batch roasted and vary according to season and accessibility.

PICK-UP AND DELIVERY OPTIONS

6. How do I receive my share every week?

There are several options available to receive your weekly share. We have used a number of central delivery locations for members and non-members alike to pick up items every week: Fort Mill, Marvin Creek, Clean Catch Fish Market on Selwyn Ave., Ballantyne, Alexander Youth Network, Dilworth, Myers Park/Eastover, Elizabeth, South Park and more.  We also offer door-to-door delivery and farm pick-up options.  Email us at info@poplarridgefarmnc.com for detailed info on membership and delivery fees.

7.  How do the central drop locations work? What if I am late?

All of our central drop locations are hosted by two member families. You will receive the location information and contact info on the family.  Your orders will be placed in a shaded spot designated by the family. We will notify you the approximate arrival time of your order.

Host families will bring your box in and store it if they have not heard from you by 7:00 pm. Please contact us and your host family via email to reschedule a pick-up.

8.  How are Host families selected and how can I volunteer?

Host families receive their door to door deliveries free of charge.  We select two host families for each central location to ensure we have a delivery site in case of vacations.  Host families are required to provide a safe and shady place with easy access for delivery on the delivery date from 2pm to 6pm.  Host families keep member produce available until 6pm the next day.  In 2011 we may add a new delivery day for certain locations.If you are interested in being a Host Location for next year’s centralized delivery, please let us know.

9.  Am I on your door-to-door delivery route?

If you are interested in door-to-door delivery service, send us your street address with zip code and we will let you know if you are on our delivery route.

10. When are the hours if I pick-up my share at the farm?

Your box will be available for pick-up every Wednesday from 2 pm to 6 pm.

11.  What happens if I miss my share pick-up at the farm or at the delivery location?

You have a second chance, the next day until 6 pm at the farm or at your central drop location, arranged by our farm manager or with your host. Your food will be donated to others by the farm or your host family after 6pm on Thursday. Please use this next-day option ONLY as a special circumstance.

12.  What do I do with my CSA boxes and egg cartons?

Return them each week, when you pick up, to the farm or to your host family.  Each member will be assigned two boxes and you MUST return them each week.  There will be a three dollar charge per box for any unreturned boxes at the end of the season. Returning egg cartons keep our egg costs down and they should be returned as often as you can.

13.  Can my community create its own central drop location?

Yes. We will assist your neighborhood with this.  In order to create your own membership drop there must be a minimum commitment of 10 full shares for your community.  Creating your own neighborhood central drop does provide cost reductions to your community.

VACATION SCHEDULE AND HALF SHARE MEMBERSHIPS

14.  What if I’m going to be out of town on CSA days?

In the 24 week season, full share members are allowed two weeks of vacation make up.  Half share members get one week.  Inform us by email about your travel schedules at the start of the season.  If you do not know your schedule at the beginning of the season, please email us with as much advance notice as possible to ensure you don’t miss out on any food!  We accommodate make up shares mostly during our high seasons, July and October, but can work out other times.  Notify us as well with your preference and we will try to accommodate.

In our short 10-week fall season there are no vacation make-ups.

15.  What is the procedure for half share members?

Half share members receive 12 boxes in the 24 week season.  We will connect you with your half share partner by email from our waitlist.  If you have a request for a half-share partner please inform us.  Together you should work out your vacation schedules for pick-up.  A full box is made every week with both of your names on it.  It is your choice who receives this box each week.

We do not box the goods to be split between two families each week.  We box full shares and then families with partners alternate weeks.  If you wish to split a box each week with your partner AND still save money AND still be sure you do not have too much food, we recommend that you order extra of the items you both want from the order form a la carte each week.  The order form is accessed from the newsletter and the website.

This can be a great alternative for you at a lower cost than adding another membership.  We always give members first priority if you get us the request by noon on Monday.  We would take a $50.00 deposit for the two families and we would just do a draw down from your deposit each time you order extras

16.  What if I am sharing my CSA produce with my neighbors and they are not listed as members?

If your friends or family are participating on a regular basis with you and we do not have their email they will miss out on the notices we send about events, extra produce, flowers, herbs, cooking classes, farm days, etc.  Please drop us an email and give us their names and contact information.  Otherwise they will miss out on the opportunities to buy extra items when available, to pre-order products from our partner farms or join us for farm activities.  Also, and most importantly, by participating this year, they are automatically eligible for any openings that may be available the following season.

17.  Are there refunds if I move mid season or my circumstances change?

There are no member refunds unless we are able to offer your remaining weeks to a customer on the wait list. If we can sell the remaining weeks of your membership we will happily refund your balance.  There is $50 administrative fee for this service.

SPECIAL MEMBER ONLY SERVICES

18.  What if I cannot identify some of the vegetables in my CSA box?

Reference the previous week’s newsletter for last week’s harvest list (the contents of your current box) once you have received your shares.  Email us if you are really stumped and we are happy to assist.

19. Why is it important to read the weekly newsletters?

Each week,  members receive an email newsletter containing updates on farm happenings, the upcoming week’s harvest list, recipes using fresh from the farm ingredients, and info about our farm to table dinner dates, chefs, and guest speakers. Newsletters are sent out on Thursdays and are designed to assist you in identifying vegetables and making the best use of your produce. They are the farm’s greatest tool for communicating changes in deliveries, event dates, etc.

NON-MEMBER ORDERS

20.  If I am not a CSA member can I still order any of your products?

Each week we will post a list of items that can be purchased on the harvest page of our website.  Use this order form and place your order by 12:00 noon Mondays. You may pick up at the farm on Wednesdays, 2 pm – 6 pm or use any of our central drop locations.  Delivery fees do apply. You will receive an invoice with your purchase and by email at the time of ordering.

Non- members can pick up at the farm as well as any of our central drop locations at the same time as members, Wednesday 2-6 and sometimes on Fridays and Saturdays when announced.

CONTACTING US

21. If I have questions, what is the best way to contact the farm?

It is best to contact us through email at info@poplarridgefarmnc.com. We are also available by phone at 704-843-5744. The office is open from 9 am – 5 pm.