CSA FAQ

CSA FAQ

CSA FAQ

CSA FAQ

questions & answers Freshly Inspired Community Supported Agriculture (csa) what will I get each week?Your freshly inspired box will vary based on which delicacies are ripe and in season. In June, typical boxes will delight you with a variety of salad greens, strawberries, herbs, radishes, asparagus, rhubarb and more. In August, a typical freshly inspired… Read More »

questions & answers

Freshly Inspired Community Supported Agriculture (csa)

what will I get each week?

Your freshly inspired box will vary based on which delicacies are ripe and in season.

In June, typical boxes will delight you with a variety of salad greens, strawberries, herbs, radishes, asparagus, rhubarb and more.

In August, a typical freshly inspired box may contain tomatoes, corn, assorted peppers, peaches, blueberries, summer squash, fresh cut herbs, and eggplant.

The variety continues throughout the fall with over 50 different varieties of apples, fresh pressed apple cider, pumpkins, winter squash, potatoes, and more.

can I customize my share?

Yes! With our CSA software platform, HARVIE, you will be able to customize what produce items you get in your box. You will also be able to reschedule or hold your shares if you are out of town. Learn more about setting preferences, swapping items or rescheduling here.

how long is the season?

Our Farmer’s Harvest Membership is 31 weeks. This membership runs during the full harvest season – April – November.

Our Heart of the Harvest Membership is 20 weeks. This membership runs from June – October.

Our Jersey Harvest Essentials Membership is 10 weeks. This membership runs from August – October.

Our Holiday Harvest Membership is 4 weeks. This membership runs during the month of December.

when does our csa program start?

Our Farmer’s Harvest begins April 25th and ends November 27th 2021.

Our Heart of the Harvest begins June 13th and ends October 30th 2021.

Our Jersey Harvest Essentials begins August 8th and ends on October 16th 2021.

Our Holiday Harvest begins November 29th  and ends December 26th 2020

 

Our 2020 season enrollment is currently underway:

Our Farmer’s Harvest ends November 24th 2020. You can still enroll – cost is prorated.

Our Holiday Harvest begins November 29th, 2020 and ends December 26th 2020.

can I change my pick-up day?

Certainly. You can change your pick up day by updating your preferences on Harvie.

can I skip a week?

Yes. You can place a hold on your share to be picked up at later date via Harvie.

what if I do not know how to use (or even recognize!) the vegetables in my box?

Not to worry! Your weekly newsletter tells you all about the product and its culinary possibilities. Plus, our team loves to answer questions. We’re always available by phone or email, or Facebook.  Let us guide you in your culinary journey – throughout the season, we’ll tell you how to prepare each crop in a delicious, family-friendly dish. You can find past recipe ideas on our online recipe index.

how often will I receive a box of produce?

Your harvested delights arrive once a week during any of your preferred seasons. When you register, you will select your distribution day. Option vary based on pick up location.

where will I pick up my box?

You may choose your pick up location when you enroll. Options include:

  • Convenient pick up for locals at our Farm Store on Tuesdays or Thursdays.
  • Local chapters established in towns throughout Morris, Somerset, Essex, Passaic, Union, and Middlesex counties. Each chapter’s delivery date and pick up time is determined by the chapter host.
  • Corporate business chapters. These private chapters are open to employees of our corporate business partners. Delivery dates and times are determined by the designated company chapter host.
  • You may request weekly home delivery with an associated delivery fee.
  • You may also request to have your box delivered to one of our weekly farmer’s markets near you.

what time can I pick up my box?

Pick up time varies by location and is generally 2 pm – 6 pm

how do I enroll?

You can enroll in one of three ways:

  • Visit us at 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester, NJ 07930
  • Call us at (908) 879-7189
  • Enroll online using Harvie

We accept cash, checks, Visa, Master Card, American Express, and Discover.

is there a deadline to enroll?

For our Farmers Harvest (31 week) Membership or Heart of the Harvest (20 week) Membership there is no deadline to enroll. You can even enroll partway through the season for a pro-rated cost. Sometimes, we may offer incentives to sign up early, so don’t miss out on those timely chances to save.

can I upgrade to a larger sized freshly inspired box?

Yes, if you want more than your current box, you can switch up to a larger box. We make it easy by prorating the cost. You may also call ahead to add items to your weekly share for convenient one-stop shopping.

can I downgrade my freshly inspired box size or cancel for a refund?

No. The cornerstone to any CSA is the idea of a seasonal commitment—both from the farm to you and from you to the farm. If you’re unsure what size box to get, start small as you can always upgrade.

how do I contact the farm?

You may contact us via mail, phone, fax, email, Facebook, and through our website. Our preference is that you contact us in person or over the phone; we love to talk to our customers!
Phone: (908) 258-6245
Email: info@alstedefarms.com

Order Online FAQ

Order Online FAQ

Order Online FAQ

Order Online FAQ

questions & answers Shopping on our Online Store Can I place an order online?You sure can. Please click on the Order Online tab at the top of the page to visit the farm store. Can I place an online order and pick up the contents at a nearby Farmers Market?Yes, you can. Please refer to… Read More »

questions & answers

Shopping on our Online Store

Can I place an order online?

You sure can. Please click on the Order Online tab at the top of the page to visit the farm store.

Can I place an online order and pick up the contents at a nearby Farmers Market?

Yes, you can. Please refer to the list of Farmers Markets we attend by clicking here. All orders for Farmers Market pickup must be placed at least 24 hours prior to the opening of the market in order to guarantee delivery.

How do I choose the option of picking up my order at a Farmers Market?

Please go about shopping on our website as usual and when you arrive at the Checkout page, please select the Farmers Market Pickup tab and then choose the Farmers Market location from the drop down menu. You must choose the Farmers Market Location in order to proceed with the placing of the order.

What do I do once I am at the farm store?

Browse through categories while reviewing the products available. You can place an item in your cart right from the product overview page.

If you wanted more information about the product itself, you can click on the product for a detailed description.

I have completed my shopping and all the products are in the cart, now what?

Click on the grocery cart image in the top right corner to review your cart.

Everything in my cart is looks good, what is the next step?

Proceed to Checkout by clicking on the link in the bottom right hand side of the page.

I am on the checkout page, where do I go from here?

If you are a returning customer, please enter your username and password and hit submit. Once submitted, your details will appear automatically. Please select delivery method, check off the box that you have “read and accepted the terms & conditions” and then place order

If you have not purchased anything from us in the past, please scroll down to the billing details section and fill out the following areas:

 

First and Last Name
Zip Code
Address
State
Town/City
Phone Number
Email Address
Create Password
Confirm Password

 

Once complete, choose your delivery method, check off the box that you have “read and accepted the terms & conditions” and then place order

I placed the order and it brought me to the credit card information page, what do I need to do now?

Please enter your credit card number, expiration date, and code number from the back of your card. Click on the pay now box and your order is complete.

I completed my order; will I receive a confirmation email?

Yes, a confirmation email will be sent to the email address you provided when you placed the order.

Is there a fee for curbside pickup or delivery?

Yes, there are fees for both options:

 

  • Curbside Pickup Fee: $5.00
  • Local Delivery: $10.00
  • Delivery Zone 2: $25.00 with minimum of $100 order
  • Delivery Zone 3: $35.00 with minimum of $100 order

Can I cancel an order I placed online?

Yes, you can cancel an order you placed online by calling our office. Still though, you will lose the fee associated with your order.

I want to add on to an order I already placed, what do I do?

You will need to place another order online.

When will I be notified that my order is ready for curbside pickup?

Our philosophy here at Alstede Farms is that all orders placed will be ready the day that they are purchased. Once your items have been shopped and packed, someone at our farm will give you a call letting you know you can come pick up your order as well as your order number.

I have arrived at the farm to pick up my order, what should I do?

Park in one of the spots just outside the store and give us a call letting us know that you have arrived. Please give us your order number, last name, and the make and color of your vehicle.

I chose to have my order delivered, what happens next?

Once your order is packed and on the delivery van, you will receive a call letting you know your order is on the way.  All orders will be left by your front door unless otherwise noted in the notes section of your order.

Do you substitute products if certain products you purchased are unavailable?

Yes, we allow our team members to make comparable substitutions if certain items are unavailable.

What are comparable substitutions?

Gala Apples for Pink Lady Apples

Turkey Pot Pie for Chicken Pot Pie

Raspberry Muffins for Blueberry Muffins

I received my order but there are missing items or items that do not look good. What do I do now?

Our standards for quality control are high and we have implemented strategies that are highly effective. Still though, there are going to be sometimes when orders are overlooked as with human error. If this happens, please give us a call and we will gladly discuss all your options. Our goal is to always correct mistakes and make everything whole.

My order did not go through, what do I do now?

Please give us a call so that we can discuss how to move forward.

Is the farm store open?

Yes, the farm store is open from 9-6 everyday with senior and at-risk hours from 8-9.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes

Tomatoes

Tomatoes

tomatoes Alstede Farms opens our fields for you and your family to pick the very freshest tomatoes! You've heard that "Jersey" tomatoes are the most flavorful and we agree! Come pick some for yourself and see. We offer round, plum, cherry, and yellow varieties available from the end of July through October. Conditions can vary.… Read More »

tomatoes

Tomatoes
membership

Alstede Farms opens our fields for you and your family to pick the very freshest tomatoes!

You’ve heard that “Jersey” tomatoes are the most flavorful and we agree! Come pick some for yourself and see. We offer round, plum, cherry, and yellow varieties available from the end of July through October. Conditions can vary.

Visit our “what can I pick today” page to see if this crop is currently available for picking.

Box Contents – Week 6, 2017

Box Contents – Week 6, 2017

Box Contents – Week 6, 2017

Box Contents – Week 6, 2017

box contents – week 6, 2017 Week 6: May 30th – June 1st 2017 TuesdayWednesdayThursdayLetters & InfoTuesday Tuesday Classic Harvest Boxes Ultimate Box Family Box Essential Box Strawberries Strawberries Strawberries Arugula Arugula Arugula Bok Choy Bok Choy Bok Choy Organic Lettuces Organic Lettuces Organic Lettuces Savory & Catnip Plants Savory Plant Savory Plant Tomatoes Catnip… Read More »

box contents – week 6, 2017

Week 6: May 30th – June 1st 2017

Tuesday Classic Harvest Boxes

Ultimate Box Family Box Essential Box
Strawberries Strawberries Strawberries
Arugula Arugula Arugula
Bok Choy Bok Choy Bok Choy
Organic Lettuces Organic Lettuces Organic Lettuces
Savory & Catnip Plants Savory Plant Savory Plant
Tomatoes Catnip Plant Catnip Plant
Rhubarb Carrots Carrots
Carrots Golden Beets  Oregano
Golden Beets Tuscan Kale
Thyme
Leeks & Radishes

Tuesday Jersey Fresh Necessities Boxes

Ultimate Box Family Box Essential Box
Strawberries Strawberries Strawberries
Arugula Arugula Arugula
Organic Lettuces Tomato Organic Lettuce
Savory & Catnip Plants Organic Lettuces Savory Plant
Tomatoes Savory Plant Catnip Plant
Rhubarb Catnip Plant Carrots
Carrots Carrots Tomatoes
Golden Beets  Golden Beets
Thyme
Leeks
Please note that from time to time you may receive different items in your box than what is on the list. This is due to the natural growing process and at times we may experience shortages of specific produce, and may have substituted the items for other produce.

Wednsday Classic Harvest Boxes

Ultimate Box Family Box Essential Box
Strawberries Strawberries Strawberries
Arugula Arugula Arugula
Bok Choy Bok Choy Bok Choy
Organic Lettuces Organic Lettuces Organic Lettuces
Savory & Catnip Plants Savory Plant Savory Plant
Tomatoes Catnip Plant Catnip Plant
Rhubarb Carrots Carrots
Carrots Golden Beets  Oregano
Golden Beets Tuscan Kale
Thyme
Leeks & Radishes

Wednesday Jersey Fresh Necessities Boxes

Ultimate Box Family Box Essential Box
Strawberries Strawberries Strawberries
Arugula Arugula Arugula
Organic Lettuces Tomato Organic Lettuce
Savory & Catnip Plants Organic Lettuces Savory Plant
Tomatoes Savory Plant Catnip Plant
Rhubarb Catnip Plant Carrots
Carrots Carrots Tomatoes
Golden Beets  Golden Beets
Thyme
Leeks
Please note that from time to time you may receive different items in your box than what is on the list. This is due to the natural growing process and at times we may experience shortages of specific produce, and may have substituted the items for other produce.

Thursday Classic Harvest Boxes

Ultimate Box Family Box Essential Box
Strawberries Strawberries Strawberries
Arugula Arugula Arugula
Bok Choy Bok Choy Bok Choy
Organic Lettuces Organic Lettuces Organic Lettuces
Savory & Catnip Plants Savory Plant Savory Plant
Tomatoes Catnip Plant Catnip Plant
Rhubarb Carrots Carrots
Carrots Golden Beets  Oregano
Golden Beets  Tuscan Kale
Thyme
 Leeks & Radishes

Thursday Jersey Fresh Necessities Boxes

Ultimate Box Family Box Essential Box
Strawberries Strawberries Strawberries
Arugula Arugula Arugula
Organic Lettuces Tomato Organic Lettuce
Savory & Catnip Plants Organic Lettuces Savory Plant
Tomatoes Savory Plant Catnip Plant
Rhubarb Catnip Plant Carrots
Carrots Carrots Tomatoes
Golden Beets  Golden Beets
Thyme
Leeks
Please note that from time to time you may receive different items in your box than what is on the list. This is due to the natural growing process and at times we may experience shortages of specific produce, and may have substituted the items for other produce.

Helpful information about herbs you received can be found here: Your 2017 CSA Herb Garden

Helpful information on share contents can be found in the Produce Information Booklet

Letters & Information

Culinary Expert Jenn“Food For Thought” by Jennifer Borealo

“I can’t wait!” I have been hearing these words for weeks now. Believe me we feel the same way. We are ready to welcome all of you! The greenhouses and the fields have come alive and we are all busy working at this first share and of course we are setting our sights on the weeks to come as well.
Early in the season some of the produce in the shares will have been wintered over. Those of us who are seasoned realize that the spring is time for leafy greens. This week the spinach in the shares comes to us from the organic fields having survived the extreme cold!

So let’s get started. First you will find that you will have two potted herbs in your share each week for the next 5 to 6 weeks. Parsley and mint are the first two. It is okay to leave the herbs in the small pots for a while or prepare to plant your kitchen garden either in the ground or in larger pots. Mint should be planted alone. It will send out runners that that need space. The pot with parsley can have the cilantro and basil that will come along later. The light and water needs of each of these plants is similar so they will flourish. If you were with us last year you might see your chives coming back in your garden, they are thriving in the organic fields and will be cut and in the shares this week. Snip them into your scrambled eggs, salads, potatoes, and rice. Try to use them within the next five days. Cilantro will be in the shares ready to enhance any of your Southwestern or Mexican favorites.

Leafy greens are abundant at this time of the year. In the past the recommendation was to store in plastic bags or containers along with, or wrapped in, paper towel. Continuing to read and research there are many sites that just use the plastic bag. If you are keeping the greens for just a few days this method can be successful. The greens from the radishes can be used in salads and soup. Remember to cut the tops off and store the radishes separately.

We have been pressing cider in the past few weeks during the spring tours. The late season apples have been in cold storage over the winter. The mixture of apples has proven to be a winner. The cider was well received through the spring. It is a treat at this time of year!

CSA member Michele Zanzonico was in touch last week with a recipe that she tried over the winter using the cranberry beans from one of the last shares in November. I will share that recipe later in the season. If you have any questions, ideas, or recipes please share, you can reach me by writing to jenn@alstedefarms.com

letters & info – week 3, 2018

letters & info – week 3, 2018

letters & info – week 3, 2018

letters & info – week 3, 2018

letters & info – week 3, 2018 Week 3: May 15, 2018 – May 17, 2018 Helpful information on share contents can be found in the produce information booklet Produce Tips and Information: Simple Salad Dressing If you are in a hurry and you have not prepared a salad dressing It can be as simple… Read More »

letters & info – week 3, 2018

Week 3: May 15, 2018 – May 17, 2018

Helpful information on share contents can be found in the produce information booklet

Produce Tips and Information:

Simple Salad Dressing
If you are in a hurry and you have not prepared a salad dressing
It can be as simple as measuring 1 part acid to 3 parts oil
Mix it up, use balsamic, apple cider, or champagne vinegar for some different tastes
Lemon and lime are both so light and flavorful. Add a little honey and season with
salt and pepper to taste.

Freezing Fresh Greens
FRESH and crisp greens to freeze within a day or so from pick-up.
Step 2 – Wash the greens, drain in a colander
Step 3 -Hull the greens
Cut off any woody stems or damaged pieces
Read steps 4-8 on Maggie’s Facebook post

Roasted Radishes
Slice or quarter
Place in a bowl
Add a little olive oil and some salt and pepper
Roast at 425 for about 15 minutes, checking the oven
Or
For fun mix in a T of honey and a little cinnamon and sugar
Roast for 15 minutes at 350 and then turn over and roast for another 15 at 250

Making Use of Scallions
Cut off the root and a bit of the white and place it in a little water. Place near a window and watch them grow
Thinly slice the white and up through the pale green and save the dark green for stock
Top off some soup with sliced scallions. Especially tasty on potato soup and black bean soup
Slice some scallions into your salads
Mix some into scrambled eggs or an omelet
Add them to fried rice
Make scallion pancakes or frizzled scallions

Honey
Store in a place with a consistent temperature between 50-70 degrees like a pantry. Keep it away from the stove and the fridge as both locations are prone to drastic fluctuations in temperature.

Basil
This is a warm weather herb, wait to plant outside until the soil is at least 50 – preferably 70 – degrees. Plant in an area where the plant will get 6-8 hours of sun and keep the soil moist.

Cilantro
The leaves can be cut at any time. Use the upper, new, finely cut leaves in cooking, but not the mature, lower ferny-type leaves. Cilantro is not normally saved and dried like other culinary herbs since it loses almost its entire flavor when dried.

Tomatoes
The best method of storage is at room temperature, on the counter, with the stem side down. If it will be more than a couple days, they can be stored in the fridge.

How to Freeze Asparagus

  1. It is important to use sufficient water such that when the asparagus is immersed in the boiling water it comes back to the boil within one minute. One gallon of water per pound of prepared vegetables is recommended. So if you are using a large (not huge) saucepan you will probably get about 2 pints of water boiling (just under a ¼ gallon) which you can then use for a ¼ pound of asparagus (about 6-8 spears).
  2. Have on hand a large bowl of iced water or cold water and running cold water to run over the blanched asparagus as it cools.
  3. Also, have ready clean freezer containers or sealable plastic bags.

To Blanch Asparagus:

  1. Rinse the asparagus spears in fresh water to clean off any loose sand or grit, cut or snap the woody ends off.
  2. Bring the water to the boil.
  3. With the heat still on high immerse the asparagus in the boiling water so that it comes back to the boil as quickly as possible.
  4. Boil the asparagus depending on the thickness of the stalks. (1 1/2 minutes for thin, 2 for medium, 3 for fat).
  5. Remove from the boiling water and immerse straight away into the ice or cold water. You need to stop the cooking process as quickly as possible to preserve the asparagus’ texture.
  6. When the blanched asparagus spears are cold dry them on kitchen paper and pack in airtight freezer containers. Date the container
  7. If using freezer bags, close the bag almost completely, then stick a straw into the bag so that you can draw out as much air as possible inside the bag. Press onto the straw as you continue to close the bag and pull the straw out. Date the bag. From: Asparagus-lover.com

Freezing fresh Greens, Spinach, Kale, Collards, Chard

FRESH and crisp greens so freeze within a day or so from pick-up.

Step 2 – Wash the greens, drain in a colander

Step 3 -Hull the greens

Cut off any woody stems or damaged pieces

Step 4 – Start the pot of boiling water  2/3 full and a LARGE bowl with ice and cold water set nearby.

Step 5 – Blanch the greens:

All fruits and vegetables contain enzymes and bacteria that, over time, break down the destroy nutrients and change the color, flavor, and texture of food during frozen storage. Greens require a brief heat treatment, called blanching, in boiling water or steam, to destroy the enzymes before freezing. Blanching times for collards is 3 minutes and all other greens 2 minutes..

Begin counting the blanching time as soon as you place the greens in the boiling water. Cover the kettle and boil at a high temperature for the required length of time. You may use the same blanching water several times (up to 5). Be sure to add more hot water from the tap from time to time to keep the water level at the required height.

Step 6 – Cool the greens immediately in ice water:

After the vegetables are blanched, cool them quickly to prevent overcooking. Plunge the greens into a large quantity of ice-cold water (I keep adding more ice to it). A good rule of thumb: Cool for the same amount of time as the blanching step. For instance, if you blanch greens for 3 minutes, then cool in ice water for at least 3 minutes.

Drain thoroughly.  Allow to dry

Step 7 – Bag the greens Ziploc bags work Remove the air to prevent drying and freezer burn. TIP:  If you don’t own a vacuum food sealer to freeze foods, place food in a Ziploc bags, zip the top shut but leave enough space to insert the tip of a soda straw. When the straw is in place, remove air by sucking the air out.  To remove the straw, press straw closed where inserted and finish pressing the bag closed as you remove straw. Date the bags

Step 8 Pop them into the freezer, on the quick freeze shelf, if you have one!

Freezing keeps greens safe to eat almost indefinitely, but the recommended maximum storage time of 12 months is best for taste and quality. The quality of the frozen greens is maintained best in a very cold freezer (deep freezer), and one that keeps them frozen completely with no thaw cycles. Excluding any air from inside the bags which leads to freezer burn, by using vacuum-sealed bags, is also important to maintaining quality.

Culinary Expert Jenn“Food For Thought” by Jennifer Borealo

Fresh leafy greens make me think of some of my favorite salads. I love Chicken Caesar and Salad Nicoise was always one of my favorites to make with my students. We actually made that salad in a class here at the farm this spring. But my favorite salad story started in Hollywood at the Brown Derby where the owner Bob Cobb was hungry at midnight. He walked through the industrial-sized refrigerator gathering cooked chicken, hard cooked eggs, some blue cheese and some avocado, he picked up some cooked bacon as well. The Cobb salad was born, served in the Brown Derby the next day and I am sure still to this day. I invite you to be a copy-cat or take a look in your refrigerator and compose your own main dish salads during this leafy green part of our journey.

Stefan tells me that he is enjoying his time meeting and greeting all of you distributing shares here at the home farm. I had a chance to stop by and see him in the late afternoon on Thursday. He was saying that many of you were trading scallions away. I always find that the aromatics in the share very welcome. I need them for flavor. As the season progresses we will see garlic scapes, garlic, onions but for now, scallions or green onions or spring onions are available. I will add some suggestions this week how to use them and then for those of you who are new, how to even grow them on your windowsill.

I love all the Facebook posts and noticed a few that used mushrooms in delicious dishes. Maralee Sanders prepared a Creamy Parmesan Garlic Mushroom dish and Ashleigh White prepared an updated Chicken Marsala from the book “Clean Eats.” I think we need a copy of that book. Caryn Pollock posted a recipe for a crust-less spinach and feta pie that is gluten free and no crust means an easier preparation and a lower calorie dish. Cathie Hall is having fun planting spinach, I hope some of you are too. She also asked the age-old question, is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable. Stay tuned for my answer.

This week is the one many of you wait for as there will be the beloved honey in the shares. Many of you have ordered honey in the past, but I am sure that some of you have run out and have been waiting.

I am happy to say that our organic field continues to offer a high yield. The Kale, Arugula, and Spinach will be coming from there.

Last but certainly not least, we continue to plant our herb gardens. This week will bring us basil and cilantro. Both herbs can be added to the pot with the parsley. They need similar moisture and light. I think as a group we find cilantro to be a little difficult to keep alive all through the season. I always count on the farmers to add some cut cilantro in shares or I pick it up in the market as the weather warms up and my plant goes to seed.

Thank you for all the inspirational posts on Facebook. Thanks to many of you for coming out and joining
us for Mother’s Day Brunch!  Until we meet again next week “Enjoy the Freshness!”

CSA FAQ

CSA FAQ

CSA FAQ

CSA FAQ

questions & answers Freshly Inspired Community Supported Agriculture (csa) what will I get each week?Your freshly inspired box will vary based on which delicacies are ripe and in season. In June, typical boxes will delight you with a variety of salad greens, strawberries, herbs, radishes, asparagus, rhubarb and more. In August, a typical freshly inspired… Read More »

questions & answers

Freshly Inspired Community Supported Agriculture (csa)

what will I get each week?

Your freshly inspired box will vary based on which delicacies are ripe and in season.

In June, typical boxes will delight you with a variety of salad greens, strawberries, herbs, radishes, asparagus, rhubarb and more.

In August, a typical freshly inspired box may contain tomatoes, corn, assorted peppers, peaches, blueberries, summer squash, fresh cut herbs, and eggplant.

The variety continues throughout the fall with over 50 different varieties of apples, fresh pressed apple cider, pumpkins, winter squash, potatoes, and more.

what is HARVIE?

HARVIE is our CSA software platform that we use to manage CSA memberships as well as a tool for you to be able to manage your shares. As a CSA member, you will get an account on HARVIE which allows you to customize what produce items you get in your box from our list of what is currently being harvested from our fields. You can manage other share details with HARVIE such as rescheduling your distribution day or placing a hold on your share if you are out of town. You may also purchase additional items and add them to your share if desired. Learn more about how to use HARVIE here.

can I customize my share?

Yes! With our CSA software platform, HARVIE, you will be able to customize what produce items you get in your box. You will also be able to reschedule or hold your shares if you are out of town. Learn more about setting preferences, swapping items or rescheduling here.

how long is the season?

Our Farmer’s Harvest Membership is now 34 weeks. This membership runs during the full harvest season – April – December.

Our Heart of the Harvest Membership is now 22 weeks. This membership runs from June – November.

Our Jersey Harvest Essentials Membership is now 12 weeks. This membership runs from August – October.

when does our csa program start?

Our Farmer’s Harvest: April 28th to December 21st 2024

Our Heart of the Harvest: June 16th to November 16th 2024

Our Jersey Harvest Essentials: July 28th to October 19th 2024

can I change my pick-up day?

Certainly. You can change your pick up day by updating your preferences on HARVIE.

can I skip a week?

Yes. You can place a hold on your share to be picked up at later date via HARVIE.

what if I do not know how to use (or even recognize!) the vegetables in my box?

Not to worry! Your weekly newsletter tells you all about the product and its culinary possibilities. Plus, our team loves to answer questions. We’re always available by phone or email, or Facebook.  Let us guide you in your culinary journey – throughout the season, we’ll tell you how to prepare each crop in a delicious, family-friendly dish. You can find past recipe ideas on our online recipe index.

how often will I receive a box of produce?

Your harvested delights arrive once a week during any of your preferred seasons. When you register, you will select the day of week based on the location desired.

where will I pick up my box?

You may choose your pick up location when you enroll. Options include:

  • Convenient pick up for locals at our Farm Store on Tuesdays or Thursdays.
  • Local chapters established in towns throughout Morris, Somerset, Essex, Passaic, Union, and Middlesex counties. Each chapter’s delivery date and pick up time is determined by the chapter host.
  • Corporate business chapters. These private chapters are open to employees of our corporate business partners. Delivery dates and times are determined by the designated company chapter host.
  • You may request weekly home delivery with an associated delivery fee.
  • You may also request to have your box delivered to one of our weekly farmer’s markets near you.

what time can I pick up my box?

Pick up time varies by location and is generally 2 pm – 6 pm

how do I enroll?

You can enroll in one of three ways:

  • Visit us at 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester, NJ 07930
  • Call us at (908) 879-7189
  • Enroll online with HARVIE

We accept cash, checks, Visa, Master Card, American Express, and Discover.

is there a deadline to enroll?

For our Farmer’s Harvest (31 week) and Heart of the Harvest (20 week) memberships there is no deadline to enroll. You can even enroll partway through the season for a pro-rated cost. Sometimes, we may offer incentives to sign up early, so don’t miss out on those timely chances to save.

can I upgrade to a larger sized freshly inspired box?

Yes, if you want more than your current box, you can switch up to a larger box. We make it easy by prorating the cost. You may add items to your weekly share via HARVIE for convenient one-stop shopping.

can I downgrade my freshly inspired box size or cancel for a refund?

No. The cornerstone to any CSA is the idea of a seasonal commitment—both from the farm to you and from you to the farm. If you’re unsure what size box to get, start small as you can always upgrade.

how do I contact the farm?

You may contact us via mail, phone, fax, email, Facebook, and through our website. Our preference is that you contact us in person or over the phone; we love to talk to our customers!
Phone: (908) 258-6245
Email: info@alstedefarms.com

why choose the freshly inspired CSA?

Our 31-week season is the longest and most inclusive CSA program in North Jersey!

Produce is certified organic or sustainably grown and contains more varieties of fruits and vegetables than any other CSA in the area.

 

Genuinely local, non-GMO
You’re tasting our best efforts, grown here in Chester just for you.

 

Variety you’ll come back for
It’s the kind of variety you’d expect from a 600-acre farm with 250 different fruits and vegetables.

 

Come for the veggies, stay for the fruit
Your freshly inspired box includes seasonal homegrown fruits at no additional charge, featuring: strawberries, peaches, blueberries, apples, pears, plums, and much, much more!

 

Size options
You may choose from 3 box sizes and three seasons to find the best option for you.

 

Convenient pickup options
You may choose from 2 pickup days at our market, farmer’s markets and many local chapter sites as well as home delivery options.

 

Corporate partnerships
Share the harvest love at work! We can deliver freshly inspired boxes directly to your workplace. For details, call 908-879-7189.

 

More flexibility
We allow changes in pick up days. If you need a one-week vacation, we allow a double share on a future date. Share contents are completely customizable with HARVIE.