Frequently asked Questions
Please click on each question for more information
+ What is Community Supported Agriculture?
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a movement in which farmers sell directly to consumers, forming a unique community, or partnership with them. In a CSA, subscribers help support small, regional farms by paying in advance for fresh, organic produce delivered weekly throughout the year. CSA is good for consumers. With CSA, the variety of fresh, delicious food delivered to you is regionally grown using a minimum amount of fuel and packaging. Most importantly, CSAs provide the consumer with a direct connection to the place where their food is grown and the people that grow it. Eatwell Farm’s CSA members will have opportunities to visit the farm, get to know the farmers and other members of the CSA community, and learn more about sustainable agriculture.
CSA is good for farmers. Farmers receive a steady source of income and a guaranteed market for their produce, which relieves much of the risk of small-scale farming. And through CSA, farmers are able to plan and pick crops more effectively.
+ How much is a subscription and how long is it for?
The cost depends on what size of box and how long of a subscription you get. The Family Box contains from 10-12 items each week and is $32 a week. The Box for 2 contains 7-8 items and is $24.50 a week. Here is the breakdown of our two main options: Family Box 4 Deliveries $128 12 Deliveries $384 (You receive a 13th box for free) 24 Deliveries $768 (You receive a 25th and 26th box for free) Box for 2 4 Deliveries $98 12 Deliveries $294 (You receive a 13th box for free) 24 Deliveries $588 (You receive a 25th and 26th box for free)
+ Do I get to pick what comes in each of my boxes?
For the Family Box and Box for 2 we select the best of that week’s harvest. Doing that allows you to eat seasonally and try new crops. At most pick-up sites we have “trade boxes” with a few items where you can leave an item you don’t want and swao it with one of the extra items there.
+ How much food is in each box?
The Family Box has a selection of 10-12 items each week while the Box for 2 has 7 items. What is in the box will depend on what is in season and available that week.
Depending on what you eat and how often you cook a box can last from 6-12 days. We have the option of every-other week delivery if it takes longer to go through all the produce.
If you don’t know what to do with something we have recipes that come with our newsletter each week and on our website.
+ Do you produce all of what is in the box?
Over 90% of what is in the box we grow, but it can depend each week. We always try to fill the box with what we grow but sometimes we don’t have enough due to factors like the weather we can’t control. We try to include fruit in every box and our orchard cannot produce enough throughout the whole year so we buy in fruit from farms we trust.
Whenever we buy something in we explain in our newsletters who grows it.
+ Is everything in the box certified organic?
All of what we grow is certified organic and farmed with sustainable practices. The eggs our chickens produce are not certified organic but follow organic practices. Sometimes we buy produce or fruit from other farms who choose not to be certified organic due to financial or political reasons. They all still use organic and sustainable practices and we have developed long-term relationships with each of them.
+ I have very little experience cooking but want to do more. Do you provide recipes that help me cook what I get?
Yes. Every week we include recipes in the newsletter that feature what is in the box. We also have recipes on our website and if you have no clue what to do with something send us an email and we will help you out.
+ Where and when do I go to pick up my box?
We have many different pick up sites for you to choose from. We deliver to certain sites on different days and each site has specific times where you are able to pick-up your box. Once you sign-up for the CSA and select your pick-up site you will get the exact address and times when you can pick-up your box.
Current CSA members: To access the details of your pick-up location, log into your account, click "my account" and then click "drop point details."
+ What is the size of the box?
The Family Box is about 2 ½ feet by 1 foot and 10 inches tall and weighs between 7-15 pounds depending on what is included. Both the Family Box and the Box for 2 are easy to carry even for several blocks. We suggest unpacking your box at the site and putting everything into reusable bags or a backpack you bring.
Don’t forget to return your box every week!!
+ Why does some of your produce come in plastic bags?
We are always trying to limit the number of plastic bags that we use. We are unable to reuse bags due to the health code and organic certification laws. The food-grade plastic bags keep our produce in the best possible shape for when it arrives to you but we are always looking for affordable alternatives. If you find any, let us know.
+ Can I skip a delivery if I am out of town?
Yes, you are able to put a delivery on hold for any reason as long as you make the change before the 10 p.m. Sunday deadline the week of the scheduled delivery. Putting a box on hold will move that delivery to the end of your subscription.
To put a box on hold you need to go into your online account and go to your member dashboard where you can select the date you want to hold a delivery from.
+ How is my every-other week schedule of deliveries affected if I have to put a delivery on hold?
Your schedule does not change and you will receive your next box at the next regularly scheduled date. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to call us or send us an email.
+ Why is there a 10 p.m. deadline every Sunday for orders and delivery changes for the upcoming week?
We start preparing the boxes for the week at 6 a.m. Monday so we need to have an accurate number to prevent us from picking too little or too much. Changes after the deadline create complications and room for errors.
+ Can you deliver to my home?
Yes. When selecting a delivery site select Home Delivery. There is an additional $10 charge per delivery. Home Delivery is available in San Francisco and part of the East Bay (Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, El Cerrito, and Richmond).
+ What if there is no delivery site near me, can a new one be started?
Yes, send us an email to organic@eatwell.com with your name, address, phone number, and a description of your site.
+ What happens if I forget to pick up my box?
We always send a reminder email to you the day of your delivery but if you forget to pick-up your box contact the host of your delivery site. They may be able to set up a separate time for you to get it, but neither the farm nor the pick-up hosts are responsible for it being there after the listed times.
We guarantee your box and any extras you ordered through the end of the official pick-up time. The pick-up time varies by site.
+ Can I come and visit the farm?
The farm is not open to the public but CSA members are able to visit the farm. We have events throughout the year for members from Strawberry Days to Tomato Canning Days that all of our members are invited to.
Members can also welcome to stop by the farm any day except for Sunday with just a phone call or email in advance. We cannot guarantee that there will be someone to show you around the farm, you are welcome to walk around and see where the food you are eating is being grown.
+ I know someone who would love this and want to get them this as a gift. How do I do that?
You are a truly great family member or friend. You can buy a gift certificate online our store under the mail order tab of our website, send us an email at organic@eatwell.com or give us a call at (707) 999-1150.
Once the subscription you gave them is completed it is up to them to renew it. For different size gifts certificate (more deliveries or with eggs) please contact us at (707)999-1150 or email us at organic@eatwell.com.
+ My subscription is running out, what do I do?
To renew your subscription all you have to do is go to your online account and renew it from there. If you have the four-box subscription it automatically renews but if you want to change to either of the longer subscription option you have to do that manually.
+ Can I just stop by the farm and buy some produce and eggs?
Unfortunately, no. We do not sell our wares off the farm. We are sorry, but you will have to either join the CSA or make your way to the Ferry Plaza Farmers' Market each Saturday in San Francisco! Thank you for your interest, though!
+Do I get any benefits from referring people to sign-up for the CSA?
Yes you do! When you refer a new member there is a place where they can put your account name in as a referral, it must be exactly the same as your name is listed on your csa account. Once they sign-up you get 20% of the total value of their FIRST subscription in store credit which is added to your account.
It only counts for new CSA Member's memberships and you must be a current active CSA member to get the credit.