CSA Options
The Zahradka Farm CSA delivers farm fresh, local produce to your home or office every week for the entire season during the winter and offers a variety of pick-up sites during the summer/fall CSA season! We offer a chance to help support our small family farm as we grow healthy, all natural produce while persuing our goal of ultimate sustainability! Maryland is a very diverse state which affords all of us who live here the opportunity to depend on small buisnesses and farms for our every necessity!From Fresh Produce to beef, pork and poultry, to pastries, sauces and cosmetics; there is no reason why we can't depend on local sources to supply our needs in a natural, healthy and economically sensible way. With the support of our CSA members we are making our small produce farm an important part of the neighborhood, surrounding communities and Maryland as well. Thank you all!
Q&A
1. When does my Summer/Fall Application Need to be submitted?
*To Gaurentee a spot in our Summer/Fall CSA, your application needs to be submitted by March 21st. First Payment is due no later than April 15th. We will still except new applicants throughout the season until our shares are maxed out, however it will be on a first come first serve basis until we fill all of our available shares.
2. When does my Winter/Spring Application Need to be submitted?
*To Gaurentee a spot in our Winter/Spring CSA, your application will need to submitted no later than September 1st. The sign up for the winter CSA is requested so far in advance because we preserve/freeze a lot of our summer produce with your share in mind. This needs to be done when the produce is in season and at it's peak of course... which is in the middle of the summer. We will also continue to except applications until all of our shares are filled, however this will be on a VERY limited basis.
3.Can I still sign up for the CSA after the application due date?
*We will continue to accept applications throughout the season until all of the spots are filled, however there are no gaurantees that a spot will still be available. If you are a late sign up, up to date payments are required at sign up. If you sign up after the pick ups have already started we will deduct the past weeks from your total balance.
4. Can I discontinue my membership in the CSA after I have signed up?
*PLEASE UNDERSTAND that you are making a seasonal commitment to our Farm when you sign up to be a CSA member.We use the CSA income to buy seed and start up supplies in preparation for the CSA. We do not offer refunds! If you have concerns please contact me directly via email: thezahradkafarm@yahoo.com.
5. What happens if I can't pick up my share?
* If you can't pick your share up from the pick up location you have chosen, we will bring it back to the farm and it will be donated to a needy family. (If you know of a family in need, please write me an email describing their circumstances and provide me with their phone number and address. We will place them on our donation list and they may receive donated produce if the circumstances are appropriate) If you know you are going to be out of town, please let me know in advance so I can make arrangements.
6. What are my payment options?
*We offer a few options for payment. First of all we accept credit cards, checks, cash and money orders. Upon Sign up, 1/4 of your total balance is due. We encourage payment in full because it helps us with start up costs and as a thank you we offer a 10% discount at checkout, however we understand that it isn't easy for everyone to pay for their share up front so we offer a four month payment plan.
Summer/Fall = 1/4 of Total Balance at sign up + April 15th 1/3 of remaining balance + May 15th 1/2 of remaining balance + June 15th total remaining current balance
Winter/Spring = 1/4th of Total Balance at sign up + November 15th 1/3 of remaining balance + December 15th 1/2 of remaing balance + January 15th total remaining current balance
7. How can I be sure my produce if coming from your farm?
* Well, the best way to know you are getting produce from our farm is to come down and visit us. We have a farm stand that is open throughout the summer and anyone is more than welcome to take a look at our farming opperation. Our business is built on trust and human connection as it was back in the day; in a time where a handshake meant something. We welcome your questions and are an open book when it comes to our farming practices.
8. How Long Is The Season
Summer/Fall = 26 Weeks (Starting the first week in june through November)
Winter/Spring = 19 weeks ( Starts December 23rd through April 22nd)
9. During the winter/spring delivery, why can't I change my drop off locations from week to week because of vacation etc.?
*We do not allow people to change thier locations because we have many members and take a lot of time to organize a delivery route. If a location for drop off is changed it throws the entire route off and we may not even be able to get to everyone on our route. If you would like to change your location for the rest of the season please get in touch with the farm and we can talk it through!
10. What happens if inclement weather or extenuating cirumstances prevent the farm from delivering my share?
*If unpredictable circumstances prevent us from delivering your share or if it is our mistake that prevents your share from ariving, we offer one week free in the following season or a double share the following week. If the delivery falls on a major Holliday or something of that nature we will give everyone sufficient notice and make alternate arrangements as well. As always if you give us notification we can also donate to a family in need.
Winter CSA (18 Weeks)
Dec 20,21,22(First Delivery) / January 6,7 (Second Delivery) - April 28th 2011/2012
Our Winter CSA is very similar to the Summer version. It includes all produce from our farm as well as fruit from other small farms we work with. The Colder months however to bring a whole different variety of crop all together! Greens, Cauliforous Veggies, Root veggies etc. To break up the monotony we have spent a lot of time freezing and canning some of our summer crop to include in each share. Each basket is meant to feed average families of various sizes, for the entire week in produce and fruit.
During our Winter Program You Will Pre-Order Your Share Every Week:
*Orders must be placed by the Monday before delivery each week. If you fail to place your order in time, this week's pre-order store will be shut down and we will assume you DO NOT want to receive your share for this week. THERE CAN BE NO EXCEPTIONS! (We are harvesting in often freezing weather and are on a strict schedule during this time of year. Thank you for understanding.)
*Don't forget... if you order an item that needs to be kept cool, place a cooler outside for us to deposit it in. (That includes meat and even frozen veggies.)
*If you pre-order bread for the season please click the Bread Pre-Orders tab under the CSA menu to order a specific variety. You must choose your bread variety each week or we will assume to do not want your bread option included in that delivery. (NO EXCEPTIONS! We have to order and pick up bread each week so there is no way we would have extra if you don't place your order.)
*If you pre-order eggs, meat and (or) specialty items, they will automatically be inlcuded in your delivery each week... no need to order.
*If you would like to order extra items that you HAVE NOT pre-ordered, please click the FOR SALE tab to see what is available. Make your selection and we will include them in your share delivery this week.
- 1/2 Shares:
Choose 6 items from the order form on the website on the CSA dropdown menu. You may choose to add more than one of each item when you are checking out in your shopping cart.
(Example: 2 onions, 1 buch kale, 2 frozen fajita peppers, oranges)
- Whole Shares:
Choose 10 items from the order form on the website on the CSA dropdown menu. You may choose to add more than one of each item when you are checking out in your shopping cart.
* We deliver share orders to your home or office. (Keep in mind we DO NOT alternate delivery locations so that we don't cause problems with the set delivery route. If you are not available one week to recieve your share, we will donate your share to a family in need.)
*If a delivery is missed because of inclement weather we offer 1 free week in our Summer CSA (Beginning in June) for every week missed in the Winter Program. If you are not interested in making your missed deliveries up we will graciously donate them to families who are in need.
*As always we first accept Summer/Fall members into the Winter program and there is a 10% deduction at check out for paying in full. (We ask that anyone interested sign up as soon as possible due to the nature of preparation for this program)
Option 1 : All Inclusive Full Share ($835)
*This Large 10 item share also includes 1doz free range pasture raised eggs and 1 loaf of Breadery bread each week.
Option 2 : 1/2 Produce Share ($485)
*This Medium size share includes 6 produce items (This size share can feed on average between 1 and 3 people each week)
Option 3: Large Family Share/ Feeds about 4 people+ (10 Items Per Week) ($770)
* This share is the Creme De Le Crop for all those veggie lovers out there. The amount of produce in this share should feed a rather large family or anyone who appreciates fresh local produce!
Summer CSA (26 weeks)
With our summer CSA, you will receive veggies, ground fruit and berries from our farm that are hand harvested each day. We bring in tree fruit from other local farms to add some variety to your basket. UNlike most other CSAs, we pack your share with all of the premium produce that we harvest, not seconds or what doesnt sell at our markets. We consider our CSA members true and valued members of our farm and you literally share in the bounty of the harvest! We have three options with additions upon request.
Option 1 : Small Family Share/ Feeds 1 person+ (About 4 Items Per Week)
*This Petit Family Share, gives those of you with not as many mouths to feed or who just want to dable in the veggie "world", a chance to see what our program is all about.
Option 2 : Medium Family Share/ Feeds 3 people+ (About 8 items Per Week)
* This average family size share is just enough to supply your average family with enough produce for the week. This is a very popular share for those who eat veggies on a pretty regular basis.
Option 3: Large Family Share/ Feeds 4 people+ (About 12 Items Per Week)
* This share is the Creme De Le Crop for all those veggie lovers out there. The amount of produce in this share should feed a rather large family or anyone who appreciates fresh local produce! Many of our members choose this share to they can freeze summer veggies for the winter. I give lot's of tips about "keeping" your produce !!!
* We encourage our members to pay up front for the season beacause we use all of the profits from the CSA to start up our farm each year, however we can work with each individual. Just contact me VIA email or phone. 1 800 953 8139 ext. 1 Libby or thezahradkafarm@yahoo.com.
