~ When and where is my first CSA pickup? Depending on the day you signed up for, your first delivery will be on Monday, June 17th or Thursday, June 20th, from 5 to 6:30 pm at the pick-up shed at the head of our driveway (1133 Finntown Rd).
~ Where do I park? There is a mowed grassy “parking lot” directly across the driveway from the pick up shed. Children and animals abound, so please drive very slowly and carefully.
~ What should I bring? Bring a basket or bag for your produce and additional small bags for items that are not pre-packaged (though I will always have extra bags on hand, too, for the times you forget!).
~ How does it work? Inside the shed there is a table that will have everything laid out in crates. Start at the right hand side (where the heavier items will be — come August you don’t want to put your cabbage on top of your tomatoes!) follow the length of the table, taking the amount shown on the card attached to the crate of veggies (i.e. take one bunch of kale, take two cucumbers, etc.). Don’t forget the hard copy of the newsletter, if you prefer paper to email.
~ What if I don’t want something? Put it on the ‘Trade’ table. If you see something on the trade table that you like, take it!
~ What are the “extra veggies”?! Our share is the size it is (“small family”) because, over the years, we’ve learned that getting too much food is a challenge for many families. But we also know that sometimes you need more, whether it’s because you have guests or a recipe that calls for six summer squash, not two. So some weeks there will be extras available of whatever we have seconds of on the farm that week. Disclaimer: I really don’t like to put veggies out under our name that are not completely beautiful. But Bill has been encouraging me to do this for years, and we’re going to try this even though these free extras may be less-than-lovely. This way, if you want additional food that we have available you are welcome to take it – it’s an additional benefit of membership. But it may not be our most perfect produce, or you may need to wash or prep it more. This way, we can offer members our non-salable but still totally delicious produce. And if you instead stick with the regular items not on the extra table, you can still know that you’re getting a great value and that everything will be washed, sorted, beautiful and ready to go.
~ What if I’m going to be early or late? CSA pick-up time is officially from 5:00-6:30 pm. If you can not be there during that window of time, you can come down the driveway and check in our walk-in fridge (under the white tent near the house), where pre-packaged shares will be stored.
~ What if I’m in a rush? I will always try to pack up a number of shares and have them ready (grab-and-go!) for those in a rush.
~ Where are the add-on shares? There will be a table off to the side with the cheese, mushroom and oil/vinegar add-on shares, and with a list confirming who is supposed to be picking up those add-on shares. Cheryl from Terra Optima farm will be there every other week (starting the week of June 24th) and will have the chicken, eggs, and once-a-month beef and pork shares. When possible Cheryl also brings extra for those who just want to buy a little bit of meat or eggs now and then, so feel free to stop and see what she has available.
~ Do I need to check in? During the first couple of weeks I’ll have a list and be checking members off as they come through, to make sure there is no confusion. After that, though, there is no need to check in with me. But I’ll nearly always be there for questions, for cooking tips, for advice on how to keep your veggies fresh, and for anything else you want to talk with me about.
~ What if I’m using EBT? I will be emailing you paperwork this week or next, and I will also have it available for you to sign when you arrive for your first pick-up.

p.s. If you are currently signed up to pick up on Monday but are just as happy to pick up on Thursday (same time, same place), please let me know! We’re currently a little lopsided on Monday vs. Thursday. Thank you!

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Tuesday (Pen Bay Hospital Cafe) delivery

~ When and where is my first CSA pickup? Your first delivery will be on Tuesday, June 18th, from 3:30-5:15 pm in the grassy courtyard outside of the Pen Bay Hospital Cafeteria. Click here for a map (http://goo.gl/maps/9xDCJ).
~ What should I bring? Bring a basket or bag for your produce and additional small bags for items that are not pre-packaged (though I will always have extra bags on hand, too, for the times you forget!).
~ How does it work? Under the white tent we will be set up with everything laid out in crates. Start at the “heavy” end (come August you don’t want to put your cabbage on top of your tomatoes!) follow the length of the table, taking the amount shown on the card attached to the crate of veggies (i.e. take one bunch of kale, take two cucumbers, etc.). Don’t forget the hard copy of the newsletter, if you prefer paper to email.
~ What if I don’t want something? Put it on the ‘Trade’ table. If you see something on the trade table that you like, take it!
~ What are the “extra veggies”?! Our share is the size it is (“small family”) because, over the years, we’ve learned that getting too much food is a challenge for many families. But we also know that sometimes you need more, whether it’s because you have guests or a recipe that calls for six summer squash, not two. So some weeks there will be extras available of whatever we have seconds of on the farm that week. Disclaimer: I really don’t like to put veggies out under our name that are not completely beautiful. But Bill has been encouraging me to do this for years, and we’re going to try this even though these free extras may be less-than-lovely. This way, if you want additional food that we have available you are welcome to take it – it’s an additional benefit of membership. But it may not be our most perfect produce, or you may need to wash or prep it more. This way, we can offer members our non-salable but still totally delicious produce. And if you instead stick with the regular items not on the extra table, you can still know that you’re getting a great value and that everything will be washed, sorted, beautiful and ready to go.
~ What if I’m going to be early or late? CSA pick-up time is officially from 3:30-5:15 pm. If you arrive after that time your share (excluding any frozen items) will be stored in the walk-in fridge in the kitchen of the Pen Bay Cafe. The staff is graciously letting us utilize some of their space, so make sure to thank them! Any shares that not picked up by the end of the week will be utilized by the kitchen. Unclaimed frozen meat shares will go back to the farm (and will go into our personal freezer) and you can contact me by email to arrange a time to pick them up. If you need to pick up your share before 3:30 on a regular basis, please contact me to make arrangements.
~ What if I’m in a rush? I will always try to pack up a number of shares and have them ready (grab-and-go!) for those in a rush.
~ Where are the add-on shares? There will be a table off to the side with the cheese, mushroom and oil/vinegar add-on shares, and with a list confirming who is supposed to be picking up those add-on shares. Terra Optima farm will be there every other week (starting Tuesday June 25th) with the chicken, eggs, and once-a-month beef and pork shares.
~ Do I need to check in? During the first couple of weeks I’ll have a list and will be checking members off as they come through, to make sure there is no confusion. After that, though, there is no need to check in. But I or an apprentice will always be there for questions, for cooking tips, for advice on how to keep your veggies fresh, and for anything else you want to talk with me about.
~ What if I’m using EBT? I will be emailing you paperwork this week or next, and I will also have it available for you to sign when you arrive for your first pick-up.