Frequently Asked Questions

What does CSA stand for?
Community supported agriculture (CSA) is actually pretty simple....think of it as a food subscription.  You purchase an annual or seasonal subscription and we deliver a weekly, every-other-week, or monthly box of fresh seasonal foods.  Most CSAs only offer vegetables, but because the Bayfield Foods CSA has 19 producer-members we can offer you veggies, meats, fruit, bakery, and even fresh cut flowers.  Here's how it works
How does it all work?
How do I stay connected with the farmers?
Veggie boxes come with a newsletter to let you know what is happening on the farms, and include recipes to inspire kitchen confidence. If you are not subscribed to a veggie box subscription and would like to receive a printed newsletter - let us know! We can add this to your box for a small fee! You can always view current and past newsletters online.
What is farmstand?
Through Farm Stand you can purchase a one-time order of any of the available CSA boxes we offer!
What are Summer Shares?
"Summer” shares include weekly deliveries from the first week of June to the end of October.
What are winter shares?
“Winter” shares include 5 deliveries from November through March.
What are plus shares?
“PLUS” options include the addition of locally produced value-added products such as fresh cheeses, honey, maple syrup, lacto-fermented vegetables, bakery items, spritzers and more.
What should I do if I'm unable to pick up my share or I'm going on vacation?
First, login into your Harvie profile. There will be a few options available for your next delivery: Reschedule your share if you would like to have box(es) delivered on a different date,  change your delivery option, if you would like them to be delivered to a different pick up site, or put the delivery on hold if you would like the delivery to be cancelled that week and not rescheduled for a later time.  You can learn more about these options by checking out Harvie's Tutorial: How to reschedule, change a delivery location, and hold a share.
I completely forgot to pick up my order yesterday. What should I do?
Make sure your phone number is accurate, drop sites hosts will contact you at the number you provide.  If you don't hear from them contact your CSA drop site/host as soon as possible to arrange a time to pick up your box.  All boxes will be donated if not picked up.
How do Payment plans work?
You'll sign up to Bayfield Foods CSA through our Harvie Farm Profile. If you want to include extra add on items to your box, you have to submit a credit card. Available options for paying for your Bayfield Food CSA
1. You can pay in full at ordering
2. At the time of sign up members pay a 25% of the subscription total.  The next payment is again 25% of the subscription total plus 50% of each share delivery amount. This is paid the first week of deliveries (for summer shares this would be June 3rd).  The remaining balance is then paid off throughout the rest of the delivery season at the 50% rate for each delivery amount. 
3. Pay offline with a check. You'll need to contact the CSA manager at csamanager@bayfieldfoodproducers.org for pre-approval. Once approved, simply mail your check payment in full to Bayfield Foods, PO BOX 412, Washburn WI 54891.  One important consideration if you are paying by check: you will still need a credit card on file if you would like to be able to customize your Meat or Veggie boxes.
Can I order vegetables and fruits anytime during the year?
Our CSA Box Subscriptions run ALL YEAR besides the months of April and May!
Can I order meat and fish anytime during the year?
Our Bayfield Foods CSA Producers have meat and fish available throughout the year.  Our first priority will go to filling all CSA shares.  As the season progresses different items may be limited due to seasonal availability. Lamb, for example, is typically only available from October thru March.  Ground beef and bacon also tend to be limited, as many people have set their  preferences to receive more of these when they are available.  To maximize your ability to get your favorite cuts of meat, be sure to sign up for shares for the whole season, choose your preferences in Harvie, and keep an eye out for the reminder email letting you know which items are available to swap or add -  we always send it out the Friday before each delivery date.
What is the best way to store my meat/fish?
Frozen! Unless you’re going to eat your meat right away, it is best to store it as cold as possible. We recommend a chest freezer set to 5F or lower. Each cut of meat is vacuum-packed, which helps ensure freshness and avoid freezer burn, but it is best to keep it as cold as possible.
Wow, That’s A Lot of Food! Can I Eat It All?
The key to eating via the Whole Diet share is flexibility. Each week you'll know what to expect in your box from the Friday reminder email.  Choose what you would like in your box, and plan your meals around what is in season.  If you are not sure about how to use a certain item in your box, never fear! Our weekly  Newsletter, as well as your reminder email on Monday (we'd hate for you to forget to pick up your boxes!) both include some of our farm-favorite recipes using the items in your box.  Lastly, if you have a recipe you've tried and love, let us hear about it - we'd love to share it with everyone!
Do I Need a Chest Freezer for the Whole Diet Shares or Meat Shares?
It’s our opinion that eating locally in our region, where the winters are long, requires a chest freezer. That said, depending on what else you keep in your freezer, you may be just fine using your regular freezer.
Still have questions? Email our CSA manager at csamanager@bayfieldfoodproducers.org or submit a request with Harvie.