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 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