OUR CSA IS EVOLVING! HERE’S WHAT’S UP
If you’ve subscribed to our CSA in the past, this year is going to feel a little different, but we think you’ll like it even better. If you’ve been a subscriber to our CSA or shop at our farmstand or farmer’s markets, read on!
Historically, CSA programs (Community Supported Agriculture) developed as a partnership of mutual commitment between a farm and a community of supporters which provides a direct link between the production and consumption of food. Supporters cover a portion of a farm’s yearly operating budget by purchasing a share of the season’s harvest. CSA members make a commitment to support the farm through the growing season by assuming a portion of the costs, risks, and bounty along with the farmer. In return, the farm provides, to the best of its ability, a healthy supply of seasonal fresh produce throughout the growing season.
We love this idea, and have operated a CSA for close to fifteen years now, but as shopping habits change, we’ve realized our CSA has to change too. Now, instead of signing up in the spring for a CSA, customers who want to show their support for our farm early (and get some store credit to boot) can now sign up for our Season Pass. If you want to spend that Season Pass on our weekly farm share box, great! If you want to use it to shop the farm stand or farmers’ market, you can do that too! Mix and match, it’s up to you!
WHAT’S THIS SEASON PASS BUSINESS? IS THIS STILL A CSA?
Yes, only moreso! Our Season Pass is intended to reward customers for paying up front, as with a CSA, but you can use your Season Pass card like cash at our La Conner farm stand or any of our farmers’ market locations for anything we have available—our weekly farm share, fifteen wheels of Cougar Gold, or a wheelbarrow full of sugar snap peas! Look, we’re not here to judge.
OK, THAT’S GREAT, NOW TELL ME ABOUT THE FARM SHARE. I MIGHT WANT TO SHOP THE FARMSTAND, BUT MOSTLY I WANT THAT GOOD, GOOD FARM SHARE BOX EVERY WEEK. HOW DO I GET THAT?
It’s easier than ever. Not only will we still offer our weekly farm share box, anyone can pick one up, any day of the week, without signing up in advance. Each share will still consist of 7-9 items of local and organic produce. If you’ve received one of our shares in the past, your share will look about like what you’re used to. If you buy a Season Pass by our May 15 cutoff, your effective price per weekly share will be just about the same as before.
The main difference is that you can drop in and purchase a share any day of the week, whether or not you’ve purchased a Season Pass. In effect, the discount for buying early is baked in to the Season Pass, but then you can spend it however you like!
OKAY, GIVE ME THE NUMBERS!
When you purchase our $500 Season Pass by May 15, we will send you a Hedlin Farms Season Pass card loaded with $600 — that’s 20% more farm fresh goodness! Buy a Season Pass any time after May 15 and you’ll still receive an additional $50, or $550 value!
ONE MORE TIME: CAN I BUY A SEASON PASS WITHOUT BUYING THE FARM SHARE? CAN I BUY THE FARM SHARE WITHOUT BUYING A SEASON PASS?
Yes and yes.
I KNOW I’LL HAVE COMPANY COMING A COUPLE TIMES THIS SEASON. CAN I BUY MORE THAN ONE SHARE AT A TIME?
Yes!
THIS SOUNDS GREAT! WHERE DO I SIGN UP?
No need to sign up, just click above to purchase your Hedlin Farms Season Pass.
I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS: WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT? WHERE CAN I PICK UP? WHAT ARE THE RISKS? DO YOU SOURCE PRODUCE FROM OTHER FARMS? WHAT IF I CAN’T MAKE A PICKUP?
Please, read on…
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT?
Any week from mid-June to mid-October, stop by our La Conner farm stand to pick up a box of the best and freshest our farm has to offer. The farm share season will start around June 15 (product dependent) and run through mid-October. Most weeks there will be 7-9 different items in your share. We try to include a fruit item in each week’s share, something green and leafy, along with an array of seasonal produce from our fields, greenhouse, and occasionally other local farms.
We also try to include a few items which will appeal to the more adventurous eater or stretch your horizons a bit. Check out our blog for recipes and updates from the farm. We’ve found that one share is about right for an average family of two. Larger families, vegetarian households, and other enthusiastic vegetable eaters may find that two shares are more to their liking.
PRODUCE FROM OTHER FARMS
Some things we do not grow but are too good to pass up – Ripe peaches, for example, or carrots from Ralph’s Greenhouse just down the road. While we may occasionally include an item from other farms, these items will always be from farmers with whom we have personal relationships and whose practices and philosophy closely match our own. If you have any questions about the organic status of items in your share, just ask!
WHERE CAN I PICK UP?
At our farm stand on the south side of the La Conner roundabout. Unfortunately, due to availability limitations and delivery logistics we won’t be able to offer our farm shares at Anacortes or our farmers’ market locations. But! On the upside, you’ll be able to pick up any time our farm stand is open.
WHAT IF I CAN’T MAKE A PICKUP?
No big deal! We’re packing farm shares on a rolling basis—no need to notify us, just stop in next time you’re ready for a box.
QUESTIONS? MORE DETAILS?
Contact us anytime. Ask for Serena. Phone: (360) 466-3977 or contact us by email at hedlin (at) hedlinfarms (dot) com
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