Land’s Sake CSA Frequently Asked Questions

 

Q: What will I receive in my share?

A: Your share will consist of a varied selection of Land’s Sake-grown vegetables, harvested fresh from our fields for each CSA pickup. Small Shares receive 6-8 types of vegetables at each pickup, and Full Shares receive 9-13 types of vegetables at each pickup. Full Shares will receive a greater variety and quantity of produce than Small Shares.

CSA pick-ups in June are usually heavy on greens such as lettuce and arugula, with a few other items, like radishes and turnips. In mid-summer, the share includes crops like cucumbers, summer squash, kohlrabi, fennel, carrots, and beets. By late summer, the shares includes crops like tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplants, and onions. Fall shares typically include winter squash and root vegetables, such as carrots, beets, and turnips, as well as hearty greens such as kale and spinach. Winter Shares receive vegetables grown specifically for storage, such as winter squash and root vegetables.

Q: How do I know which share is right for me?

A: You know best your family’s vegetable needs, and you can use this  chart to help you determine which share is the best fit:

 

Q: What if I feel that a share is too big? Can I split a share with another family?

A: Absolutely! You may share with any family of your choosing, as long as both participating families are Land’s Sake Members. Please contact us if you plan on splitting a share.

Q: What happens if I can’t make it to a pick-up? Can I send someone to pick it up for me?

A: You can send anyone to pick up your share at any time during the season, and you do not need to tell us in advance. Just let them know what your pickup day is, and what kind of share you receive (Full or Small).

Q: If I know in advance I can’t make a pick-up, can I switch pick-up days?

A: We encourage you to have family or friends pick up for you, but if that is not possible, we will allow occasional switches of pick up days. We require two days advance notice to accommodate any switches.  Please contact us at csa@landssake.org to switch days.

Q: Can I switch my pick-up day permanently?

A: We may not be able to accommodate pickup day changes, because we have to keep the number of shares on each day balanced. If you’d like to ask us about it, please contact us.

Q: Does the pickup schedule ever change?

A: There are only two instances where the pickup may change: inclement weather and national holidays. In the event of a national holiday, we will email you in advance about the pickup change. In 2023, July 4th is a Tuesday.  Tuesday CSA members will receive special communications in June 2023, indicating how pickup that week will be handled.

For inclement weather, we typically only close the tent during lightning storms, and reopen as soon as it is safe to do so.

Q: What if no one picks up my share? What happens to it?

A: Any shares that are not picked up will be donated to one of the hunger relief organizations that we partner with, so the vegetables will never go to waste. We do not have the capacity to hold shares until the next day.

Q: Why does the CSA tent open and close “on the dot”? Why can’t I come five minutes late?

A: Our team needs every minute to set up the tent without disruption, and by the time the end of the day rolls around, it’s been a 12 hour day for our crew members. We kindly ask that the “on the dot” policy be respected at each pickup.

Q: Do you provide bags for the produce?

A: We recommend that you bring your own bags for individual vegetables and bags, boxes, or crates for transporting your share home. We are not able to provide any large bags.

Q: Is Pick-Your-Own part of my share?

A: Yes, each year we offer CSA Members a variety of PYO crops, so that you may enjoy the harvest. When you enter the CSA tent, PYO items and quantities will be listed on the board. PYO crops include like flowers, cherry tomatoes, beans, and peas; we also have herbs (both perennial and annual) available throughout the season.

Q: How does the value of a CSA share compare to shopping at the Farmstand?

A: We aim to give CSA members 20% more value than they would get by shopping at the Farmstand. However, when there’s an excellent season for a given crop (whether pre-harvested or Pick-Your-Own), Members share in the bounty and end up saving much more!

Q: Why do Small and Full Shares receive different vegetables? What about the Farmstand?

A: Full Shares receive a greater variety of vegetables than the Small Shares because they are simply larger shares.  When we have limited quantities of certain crops, Full Shares will receive these limited veggies before the Small Shares.

The same is true for our Farmstand. Sometimes, certain crops are found at the Farmstand but not the CSA tent, because they are available in very limited quantities. The Farmstand is also able to sell produce that we don’t grow at Land’s Sake, such as corn and berries.