Frequently Asked Questions
What does CSA mean? CSA stands for "community supported agriculture."
How does it work? CSA members sign up for a weekly or every-other week box of seasonal veggies, meats, fruit, flowers, or bakery. Then, we farmers grow the food, box it up, and deliver it to the pickup location you choose. All you need to do is swing by on Wednesdays to pick up your boxes! Our CSA manager will send you reminder emails early each week so you don't forget to come get your boxes each week. Boxes come with a weekly newsletter to let you know what is happening on the farms, and include recipes to inspire kitchen confidence.
“Special Orders” offer you the ability to order just what you would like, when you would like it. Examples include a case of grass-fed hamburger, or a 10# bag of green beans. Special orders are delivered during regular CSA deliveries.
“Summer” shares include delivery each Wednesday from late May to the end of October.
“Winter” shares include 6 deliveries from November through March.
“PLUS” options include the addition of locally produced value-added products such as fresh cheeses, honey, maple syrup, lacto-fermented vegetables, and more.
What should I do if I’m unable to pick-up my box?
Just email us and we can put a vacation "hold" on your account and send you a "double box" on your next delivery.
I completely forgot to pick up my order yesterday. What should I do?
We donate all boxes at the end of the night.
I’m going on vacation. Can you deliver my box(es) late?
Yes! Just let us know at LEAST ONE WEEK prior to your missed date and we can put a vacation "hold" on your account and deliver a "double box" next time.
When are my payments due? Where do I send them?
You'll place your order online through our CSA Sign-Up page. You can pay in full at ordering or pay a 15% down payment and set up monthly payments. The number of monthly payments will depend on the length of your subscription. If you'd like to set up monthly payments, you'll work with our CSA Manager to set up one of two options. Option 1 is to have your credit card charged each month. To do so, you'll need a signed credit card authorization form on file with us. You'll receive an emailed invoice for each month and your card will be charged the first of each month. Option 2 is to have an invoice emailed to you the first of each month and send us a check. Note, in either option, if you get behind on your payments we'll have to stop box deliveries until you're caught up.
If you have questions about the monthly payment options or want to make other arrangements, please contact our CSA Manager at 218-409-6406 or csamanager@bayfieldfoodproducers.org
How close to the pick-up date can I place a special order?
You must place your order by Saturday at midnight for the Wednesday delivery.
Can I order vegetables and fruits anytime during the year?
Our CSA Box Subscriptions (boxes) run May through March. We typically have things available to order every week as a special order. Check availability at our special order page.
Can I order meat and fish anytime during the year?
Yes. Our meat/fish is available for pick-up the first Wednesday of every month during the year. The only exception is our lamb, which is available October-March. So, you can order your meat/fish for the whole year right now, or you can order month by month.
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?
It’s true, during the course of a year, we eat a lot of food. By committing to a Whole Diet or Whole Diet Plus Share you’ll be getting much of your food from our farms (at least most of the fruits, vegetables, and meats) and that’s the point. Based on our experience and planning, we’ve tried our best to design the shares to provide just enough, but not too much food. Key to eating via the Whole Diet shares is flexibility. You won’t know what’ll be in your weekly (or bi-weekly) box until you open it. That’s part of the fun! We include helpful newsletters and new this year we’ve created a forum on this website where you can share your favorite recipes. We'll also have a guest blogger this year helping you with recipes and cooking ideas.
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. The tricky part will be the 33 lbs of meat delivered monthly during the winter months. How good are your Tetris skills?
Still have questions? Email our CSA manager at csamanager@bayfieldfoodproducers.org
How does it work? CSA members sign up for a weekly or every-other week box of seasonal veggies, meats, fruit, flowers, or bakery. Then, we farmers grow the food, box it up, and deliver it to the pickup location you choose. All you need to do is swing by on Wednesdays to pick up your boxes! Our CSA manager will send you reminder emails early each week so you don't forget to come get your boxes each week. Boxes come with a weekly newsletter to let you know what is happening on the farms, and include recipes to inspire kitchen confidence.
“Special Orders” offer you the ability to order just what you would like, when you would like it. Examples include a case of grass-fed hamburger, or a 10# bag of green beans. Special orders are delivered during regular CSA deliveries.
“Summer” shares include delivery each Wednesday from late May to the end of October.
“Winter” shares include 6 deliveries from November through March.
“PLUS” options include the addition of locally produced value-added products such as fresh cheeses, honey, maple syrup, lacto-fermented vegetables, and more.
What should I do if I’m unable to pick-up my box?
Just email us and we can put a vacation "hold" on your account and send you a "double box" on your next delivery.
I completely forgot to pick up my order yesterday. What should I do?
We donate all boxes at the end of the night.
I’m going on vacation. Can you deliver my box(es) late?
Yes! Just let us know at LEAST ONE WEEK prior to your missed date and we can put a vacation "hold" on your account and deliver a "double box" next time.
When are my payments due? Where do I send them?
You'll place your order online through our CSA Sign-Up page. You can pay in full at ordering or pay a 15% down payment and set up monthly payments. The number of monthly payments will depend on the length of your subscription. If you'd like to set up monthly payments, you'll work with our CSA Manager to set up one of two options. Option 1 is to have your credit card charged each month. To do so, you'll need a signed credit card authorization form on file with us. You'll receive an emailed invoice for each month and your card will be charged the first of each month. Option 2 is to have an invoice emailed to you the first of each month and send us a check. Note, in either option, if you get behind on your payments we'll have to stop box deliveries until you're caught up.
If you have questions about the monthly payment options or want to make other arrangements, please contact our CSA Manager at 218-409-6406 or csamanager@bayfieldfoodproducers.org
How close to the pick-up date can I place a special order?
You must place your order by Saturday at midnight for the Wednesday delivery.
Can I order vegetables and fruits anytime during the year?
Our CSA Box Subscriptions (boxes) run May through March. We typically have things available to order every week as a special order. Check availability at our special order page.
Can I order meat and fish anytime during the year?
Yes. Our meat/fish is available for pick-up the first Wednesday of every month during the year. The only exception is our lamb, which is available October-March. So, you can order your meat/fish for the whole year right now, or you can order month by month.
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?
It’s true, during the course of a year, we eat a lot of food. By committing to a Whole Diet or Whole Diet Plus Share you’ll be getting much of your food from our farms (at least most of the fruits, vegetables, and meats) and that’s the point. Based on our experience and planning, we’ve tried our best to design the shares to provide just enough, but not too much food. Key to eating via the Whole Diet shares is flexibility. You won’t know what’ll be in your weekly (or bi-weekly) box until you open it. That’s part of the fun! We include helpful newsletters and new this year we’ve created a forum on this website where you can share your favorite recipes. We'll also have a guest blogger this year helping you with recipes and cooking ideas.
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. The tricky part will be the 33 lbs of meat delivered monthly during the winter months. How good are your Tetris skills?
Still have questions? Email our CSA manager at csamanager@bayfieldfoodproducers.org