Community Shared Agriculture programs are a very different way to obtain your weekly produce than the typical grocery store walk we have all become accustomed to. CSA’s take us back to a time when nature, region and weather dictated what we put on our table and into our tummies. Here are the questions we are asked most often and the corresponding answer. If we do not address your question please feel free to contact us and we’ll see what we will be happy to answer your questions.

close up of dried legumes and cerealsQ. What if I’m away one week and can’t pick up my share?
A. We suggest you share your bounty with a friend, family member or co-worker. Give someone close to you the opportunity to eat in your shoes for a week! If you are not able to find a buddy with whom to share your share have no fear your food shall not be wasted. We will donate it to a local daycare or school food program. Last year The Ontario Artisan Share Program™ donated over $3000 in left behind shares to the Central Eglinton Children’s Centre.

Q. Are there refunds / credit for not picked up shares?
A. When you enter into a CSA agreement, the farmer is planting just for you. He is counting on you to use and enjoy the food he grows. The money you pay upfront for your share has already been allocated to seeds and soil and farm labour and transportation. There are no refunds for abandoned shares. But as we don’t like to waste food we have implemented the donation program mentioned above, so you can be sure children in your community are enjoying the good, clean, sustainable food you’ve purchased.

Q. What if I can’t come to pick up my share on the specified pick up day?
A. Each pick up location will have their own way to handle this conundrum. Please contact us and we will let you know the policy of your desired pick up location.

Q. What if I get something I don’t like in my share?
A. Try it again…perhaps fresh from the field you will find it’s not so bad. Or you can always share it with a friend, family member or neighbour. Alternatively, we can donate it to a local daycare / school program for you. Don’t forget, we will also provide some recipes and tips to go along with each share, so perhaps that will open up news ways for you to enjoy an old foe.

Q. Will I meet the farmers?
A. Farmers like to be on the farm doing what they do best…farming. But we’ve managed to convince them to brave the big city streets and come for a visit on more than one occasion. We know you want to meet the folks who grow your food, we can’t keep them all to ourselves! At least two or three times throughout the program there will be an opportunity for you to meet some of the farmers who provide food for your share. This will most likely be at the beginning and end of the programs as at the height of the harvest season they are needed on the farm.

If we have not answered your question, please contact us at sales@ontarioartisanshare.ca and we will do our best to help you out.