What other members have expressed about our CSA:
"We so appreciate these delicious fruits and vegetables! And mission accomplished -- our fifteen year old son is eating them! We really enjoy the newsletter also." – Adrianne, Glenn and Kyle Wojnar
"Dear Farmer Tom and All your Crew, My husband and I would like to thank you for all the hard work and caring that goes into providing us with nutritious, tasty, locallly grown, and sustainable fruits and vegetables throughout the year. As we enjoy them every week we are grateful for your effort and judgement in the field. We wanted you to know how much we apprediate the opportunity to participate in your program. Thank you!" – Zara Dee Mehta
"The veggies and fruit are delicious! How can I eat anything else now!?" – Heather McKenna
"It's a real luxury to have this tremendous bounty of great food, and even better knowing that it's being produced in a way that's good for the earth, the farmer, the workers, and everyone involved. My only concern is that I will be desolated when the season comes to an end. What will I do in December, January, February and March?" – Heather Murdock
"My children loved visiting the farm and want to be reassured that the veggies
on their plates are from their farm." (a sentiment expressed by more
than one parent!)
"We first learned about Live Earth Farm last year when a friend
of mine started sharing her 'extra' produce with me. We thought we had
been eating 'real' food already, but realized we hadn't when we tasted
your produce - truly phenomenal!" – Amanda Kelly
Our Main Season is 33 weeks long; in 2008 it begins the 2nd week of April and the last delivery is the week before Thanksgiving in November. We also have a Winter Share, but currently this is only available to our existing CSA members (want to know more about our winter season though? click here). Generally speaking, when we talk 'The Season' we are referring to our main season.
We have two share sizes – a Family Share, and a Small Share. There are also our popular Extra Fruit Option and a new Pastured Eggs Option, either of which can be added on to your Family or Small share. (You cannot get the fruit or egg options a la carte; only in addition to a Family or Small share.) New in 2008, we will also have a Fruit Bounty Option, similar to 'Extra Fruit' but not for as many weeks. Read below for details! Also new in 2008: a Bread Share!
Family Share
The Family Share consists of a large quantity and variety of seasonal vegetables, and some fruit, roughly sufficient for a family of four for one week. See past newsletters for actual listings of 'what was in the box' each week. Try clicking on weeks from different months to see how content changes over the season! Also, see Harvest Schedule to get an idea of what all we grow. A vegetarian family, large households, or co-ops may want to buy two or more Family Shares.
Small Share
Our Small Share will contain a variety of seasonal produce suitable for two-person households for one week (or for bigger families that maybe don't cook every day, but still want to have fresh, local and organic produce in their diet!). The Small Share will not always have fruit, but will definitely have it when we have an abundance, like strawberries when we are flush with them in the spring and summer, and apples or sometimes even avocados in the fall! (It is always a little different every year.) And remember, you can always start with a Small Share and 'upgrade' to a Family Share later, if you find you're not getting enough goodies each week!
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Every week during the season you will receive a newsletter via email which, in addition to farm news, contains several recipes geared for using 'what's in the box' that week. We also have a truly huge compendium of recipes in our online recipe database -- a great inspiration generator when you're running out of ideas of your own! |
Extra Fruit Option
The Extra Fruit Option starts in May and runs through the end of the season (29 weeks). We call it 'Extra' Fruit for a reason, as it adds a greater quantity and variety to the fruit you're already getting with your share. The fruit you get with this option evolves slowly over the course of the season, starting with lots of fabulous strawberries in the spring (strawberries most of the season, actually!). Coming into the summer you will see (in no particular order other than when they are ripe!) plums, blackberries, raspberries, sometimes apricots, and cantaloupe or other melons, followed by apples (4-5 different varieties) and pears (French butter pears) and pineapple guavas. Sometimes we may supplement our fruit offerings with fruit from other local, organic growers, things like avocados, citrus, concord grapes, and kiwis. See see Harvest Schedule for an idea of what fruit is ripe when. Please note: our Extra Fruit option sells out early, often before the season starts. Be sure to check our registration page for availability.
Fruit "Bounty" Option (new
in 2008)
In 2008, Farmer
Tom will be expanding upon our successful 'Strawberry Bounty' model to possibly
include fruit other than strawberries! The concept is rather simple: we know
there are two peak periods during the year when our strawberries really produce,
and this option is tied primarily to that cycle. What we can't tell
you ahead of time are the exact dates, as the periods vary year to year, but
they will run approximately mid-May through July (8 to 10 weeks), and then
again in September/October (another 5 to 7 weeks) – 15 weeks total.
The 'Bounty' option will consist primarily of strawberries (because that is
our most reliable and predictable fruit crop) but may contain other fruit too
(at Farmer Tom's discretion). Think
of it kind of like a 'chef's tasting menu' at a restaurant. To
give you an idea of how much fruit you will receive on 'Bounty' weeks, in 2007,
members who signed up for this option received 4, sometimes 5 baskets of strawberries
a week!
Pastured Eggs Option
There is a world of difference between "Pastured" and "Free Range
Organic" eggs. Click here to learn more
about our CSA's eggs, where they come from, and why you want to make this particular
distinction when selecting eggs to feed your family. Important Note: The
Egg Option is a half-dozen, so if
you want a dozen per week, be sure to request 2 'Options'. Good news for 2008:
we are happy to announce that the Egg Option will be available the full length
of our season – 33
weeks! (In 2007, eggs were only available May-October.)
Bread Share (new in 2008)
Get a freshly handmade loaf of artisinal bread each week with your share! Click
here to learn more about this wonderful new option. If you love bread,
you will love this!!
How our CSA delivery system works
Live Earth Farm delivers weekly shares to multiple pick-up locations throughout Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Monerey counties. Each week, you go to your chosen location, during the time allotted, and pick up your share of fruit and vegetables to take home with you (we do not offer door-to-door delivery).
The main portion of your Share will be packed in a box (there are two
box sizes, corresponding to the 'Family' and 'Small' shares), however
the fruit
portion of your share – especially delicate fruit like berries – is
usually set out in bulk. There is a binder with a checklist at each pick-up
site which tells you what you are supposed to take each week. Read more about
this below under Pick-up
Protocol. The egg portion of your share (if you signed up for
eggs) will be in a separate cooler.
Depending on where you pick up your share, you will either pick up on
a Wednesday or Thursday. Generally speaking, all our deliveries on the coastal
side of the Santa Cruz Mountains will be on Wednesdays (i.e. from Scotts Valley
and Ben Lomond to Monterey/Carmel), and deliveries 'over the hill' (i.e. from
Palo Alto to Gilroy) will be on Thursdays. There are a few exceptions, so see Pick-up
locations, days and times, below, for the most
current information.
Another thing to note about our delivery system is that not every month has
4 delivery weeks in it (i.e. some have 5, some 3, etc.). The number
of delivery weeks in a month is based on the number of Wednesdays which
fall within it.
Lastly, as a result of our 'Wednesday-based' weeks, if you pick up on Thursday,
occasionally your pick-up date will not correspond
with our 'delivery month.' In 2008 there is only one instance of this:
Thursday May 1st is actually the 5th delivery week of April.
2008 Season rates
| Share Choices | Cost per week | Cost for full season |
| Family Share | $30 | $990 for 33 weeks |
| Small Share | $25 | $825 for 33 weeks |
| Optional Add-ons | Cost per week | Cost for full season |
| Extra Fruit Option | $10 | $290 for 29 weeks (May - Nov) |
| "Fruit Bounty" Option | $10 | $150 for 15 weeks (floating schedule) |
| Pastured Eggs Option | $3.25 per half-dozen | $107 for 33 weeks |
| Bread Option | $6 | $174 for 29 weeks (May - Nov) |
| (Please note: "Options" are NOT available a la carte – only as additions to a Family or Small share) | ||
Payment Method
We can now take payment by check or credit card.
Payment Plans
The CSA concept embodies paying the farmer in advance
for the season, however for those who cannot afford to pay the full amount
up front, we have our two-payment and monthly payment options, which allow
you to spread your payments out. Currently, our monthly payment plan is only
available by check (see post-dated checks under "Our Policies",
below).
How do I sign up and when do I pay?
Since there is more demand for our CSA shares than we
are able to supply, we need to control the number of signups we take in so
that we don't oversubscribe. So start by putting yourself on our waitlist
(see Signup). When space is available, we will contact
you with a signup instructions.
Early Registration
When one season is coming to a close, we typically offer existing members
the ability to 'early register' for the next season. Notification is sent
out in the fall, and members are given the opportunity select the share
combination of their choice. A deposit payment is collected at that time,
to secure the chosen share combination. Early Registration generally ends
around the end of the year. (Sometimes we extend it into January.)
How/when will I know that I'm getting the share and options I requested?
We will email you a confirmation upon receipt of both your signup AND payment. If you are paying by check, it is not necessary for us to have deposited your checks to confirm you, we only need to receive them.| Post-dated
checks please... If you choose to pay by check, we request that you pre-write and send us all your checks for the entire season up front (post-dated Apr 1, May 1, Jun 1, etc). We keep them on file, and do not deposit them until after the first of the month for which they cover. If you should drop out of the program for any reason, we will void and return all of your undeposited checks. See our cancellation policy (below) if you need to discontinue mid-month. (See FAQ for tip on keeping track of post-dated checks in your checkbook.) |
| Bounced-check Policy Okay, we don't like this one any more than you do, but we've gotta have it in writing. So if you should happen to bounce a check, we reserve the right to collect a $15 fee to cover the logistical costs inherent in correcting the situation/arranging for replacement payment, etc. (We are pleased to report, though, that this rarely happens amongst our wonderful CSA membership!) |
| Vacation Policy Many members have asked, "What if I know I am going to be gone for a few weeks during the season and unable to pick up my box? Do I still have to pay for it?" Our policy is, if you are going to be gone for at least a month and you give us at least 3 weeks advance notice, you do not have to pay for those weeks. (If you have already paid for the season in full, we will reimburse you accordingly.) If on the other hand you are going to be gone for less than 4 weeks, or only a week here, a week there, we ask that you pay for your share, and then be creative -- have a friend or neighbor pick it up while you're gone, or give it to the person who house or pet sits for you while you're away. Of course if you can't find a taker, you can always ask us to donate it. There are several places, programs and families who benefit from this (see below). |
| Cancellation Policy If you need to cancel, please give us at least 3 weeks advance notice so that we have time to find a replacement taker for your share. If you paid using our 'monthly' plan and cancel mid-month, keep in mind that we cannot refund you for a partial month (but will void/return all remaining months' checks). If you paid using our 'one payment' or 'two payment' plan, you will be refunded for any remaining weeks in the season (but after a minimum of 4 weeks). |
| Donating your share If you know in advance that you will not be able to pick up your share and want to donate it, call or email the farm and let us know. Please give us at least 48 hours notice. We can then arrange to redirect your share to a needy family or organization (and the donated shares are greatly appreciated, I can assure you!). |
| Share-splitting You are welcome to split a share with someone, however share-splitting is the responsibility of the member who signed up for the share; we do not manage the splitting of shares. This includes payment: you are responsible for all payments – do not divide the cost and pay half/have your share-splitter pay half. You pay us for everything and have your share-splitter reimburse you for their half. DO give us your share-splitter's contact info though (name/phone/email), as we can note them in our database and also see they get their own copy of the newsletter! |
Pick-up
locations, days, and times
Our Main Protocol
| It is your responsibility to remember to pick up your share on the correct day and during the allocated time. If you forget, we cannot refund, replace or give you credit for your missed share. | |
| If you miss picking up your share during the allocated delivery time, your site host is authorized to give away your share (so the food does not go to waste). Please do not disturb host by coming by late at night or early the next morning. Many of our pick-up sites are at private homes, and, unless you have express permission from them, we ask you to respect the times they have allowed for members to access their property. | |
| Please be neat! When taking the produce out of your box, do not drop stray vegetable or fruit scraps on the ground or in the yard (this includes strawberry tops, if you or your child are eating them while unpacking!). Once you are done removing your produce, unfold (see diagram below) and then neatly stack your empty box with the others in a flat pile. | |
| Please be respectful! Treat your pick-up site the way you would wish someone else to treat your own personal property – with respect. | |
| Be SAFE!! Spotted at a pickup site (name withheld): member parks car on busy street, at dusk, leaves driver door open into the street (traffic must cross double-yellow line to avoid car door), leaves child unattended in car, dashes across street to get share... PLEASE, do not do this! Your safety, your child's safety, and the safety of others around you are WAY more important than the minute you may have saved doing this. | |
| IMPORTANT: f you ever have someone else pick up your share for you (this includes spouses, nannies, people you split your share with, friends and neighbors), be sure they know our protocol too, so that they do not short-change other members by taking the wrong thing. Our Pick-up Protocol is summarized inside every pick-up site binder. |
| There will be a binder at each pick-up location. Inside it is the checklist which spells out what you are supposed to take in terms of share, eggs, and fruit, etc. | |
| Always go to the binder first and look to see if your name is on the checklist before taking your share, then check off the box next to your name to let us know you picked up. | |
| If your name is NOT on the list, do not take a share, because we didn't pack one for you. You will be short-changing another member if you do so. Instead, call us, and we will find out why and work things out. | |
| If your name IS on the list, a share HAS been packed for you, so don't leave empty-handed. Occasionally someone will take the wrong thing, and if you are one of the last to pick up and there are no boxes left in your share size, you may take a share of the other size (then call and let us know so we can remedy any inequities, if necessary). People can also forget to check off next to their name, so don't assume remaining shares necessarily map to the number of un-checked boxes on the checklist. Take a share. | |
| ALWAYS look at the checklist before taking anything! Fruit, in particular, can change in type OR quantity from week to week, so never assume it will be the same as the week before. | |
| If there is a problem with your share or pick-up site, please CALL US (or email us) rather than leaving a handwritten note on the checklist – notes are not seen until after the following week's delivery so your message could easily be missed! | |
| Newsletters are emailed to you each week on Monday night or Tuesday. |
| There are two different sizes of boxes, corresponding to our Family and Small shares. ALWAYS take a moment to be sure you are taking the correct size share. Family Share boxes are mostly white, and slightly larger; Small share boxes are mostly brown, and slightly smaller. We only drop off the exact number of each size share, so if you take the wrong size you will be shosrt-changing another member (or yourself!). | |
| Do not take the box home with you. Each box has a perforated plastic bag liner (to help keep your produce fresher longer). You are WELCOME to use this liner bag to take your produce home in. Do not take the box itself, as we reuse our share boxes and they are expensive to replace. | |
| Flatten your box please. Once you have removed your veggies from the box, turn it over, 'unlock' it (see diagram below and in binder), flatten it, and leave it in a neat pile with the other boxes. | |
Do not tear the
box when you go to flatten it – we'd
like our boxes to last as long as possible! The diagram below shows
you how to do this, and is also in the binder if you forget! |
| In order to maximize quality and freshness of the fruit you receive (particularly the berries!), it will not be packed inside the share boxes (with the exception of hard fruit, like apples, in the fall). This applies to the fruit which comes with your Family or Small share AS WELL AS any other Fruit Options! Instead, it will be set to the side in bulk. The Checklist (see above) will specify the combined total of how much fruit you are to take. Please only take the amount indicated or you will be short-changing another member! Remember, quantities can change from week to week, so ALWAYS check the list every week before taking any fruit. |
| ALL eggs are in half-dozen cartons. The number of egg options next to your name indicates the number of half-dozens you are to take, NOT the number of dozens! One 'carton' = one egg option. | |
| DO NOT take eggs unless they are indicated beside your name on the checklist. The eggs will be inside a cooler at your pickup site. DO return cartons to your drop site the following week, as we can re-use them. Thanks! |
| Bread is an option that members sign up and pay for in addition to their regular share. DO NOT take a loaf of bread unless it says so beside your name on the checklist. Bread will be in a separate box somewhere at your pickup site. |
| Most locations have an informal "Exchange Box." If you have something in your share one week which you don't want, you may put it in the exchange box, and help yourself to anything else in there that someone else might not have wanted but which looks good to you! If there is no obvious 'Exchange Box' set up at your location, feel free to use an empty share box and start one! Any items left in the Exchange Box at the end of the day will be donated or composted by the site host. |
Thank you for your interest in our
CSA program! |