How does it work?

You will purchase a share (previously known as a “Full Share”). Shares are limited due to manpower requirements. Next, decide if you would like to upgrade your Produce Share to include a Baked Goods Share, in which case, you would select this option on our order form. Finally, you pay for your share, either all at once, or in installments until paid. Each week, from about the end of May to September/ October, or about 22 weeks, you will receive a bucket of fresh produce. Our goal is to offer between 6 and 10 different varieties of fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, herbs, and/or edible mushrooms each week.

You will have a pre-determined day to pick up your bucket, to ensure your produce is at its best. Because you have already purchased the items through your pre-season share payment, if you are unable to pick up your produce on a given week, it is up to you how it is used. It can be donated to someone else, we can donate it to another family, or you can have someone else pick it up and store it for you. Most items will keep for a few days at minimum, if stored properly. What we cannot do is refund if you are unable to pick up, nor can we double up in the future. To keep things simple, we are going to allow you to take your bucket, with all its contents, home. Many weeks, you will also find your bucket contains produce bags and/or berry baskets to keep items from being damaged. To keep costs down, we ask that you return the bucket and baskets every week, so we can re-use them.

What kind of produce might I find in my bucket?

Variety varies throughout the season. We grow nearly 100 varieties of produce each year, though weather and annual environmental changes will help determine how many actually produce to harvest. In recent years, we have typically harvested an average of 60 types of fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, and more. The early season will see more cool season vegetables such as lettuces, radish, rhubarb, strawberries, or horseradish. Mid summer buckets will vary week to week, but you may find blackberries, black raspberries, peaches, apples, cherries, herbs, beets, chard, kale, lettuce, onions, potatoes, green beans, kohlrabi, melons, summer squashes, radish, turnips, and more. Later season items may include winter squashes, bell peppers, tomatoes, okra, sweet potatoes, sunflower seeds, peanuts, and others. With so many varieties to choose from, you should always find a bucket of some of these varieties ready for your dinner table! The key is be flexible and learn to prepare food that is in season. I always found it fun and even challenging to learn how to use and live on whatever showed up each week. We try hard to supply you reasonable amounts of produce, but in the early and late season, you may find your bucket is on the slim side, while at other times, it may be overflowing with bounty. Furthermore, in order to prevent waste, sometimes we may share our abundance of certain items with you. If you find a bucket overflowing with extra zucchini or okra among other things, for example, just realize you are reaping the benefits of an unpredictably abundant harvest of those items. Just learn to preserve them or share them with a friend!

What if I don’t want an item in my bucket?

We understand that not everyone has the same taste preferences. Because we can’t control the weather or pest conditions, we cannot make any promises as to how many and what varieties of produce we will have in excess. However, we will always do our best to provide a “share” bucket, where you can swap items you don’t want for items you do. If there is nothing to swap for, and you have an abundance, you can always feel free to leave items in the bucket, and we will either use it, donate it, or, if nothing else, recycle it as livestock food or compost.

What if I don’t know what an item is, or how to prepare it?

Every week, we will send out an e-mail with information regarding that week’s harvest. It will include names, details, preparation tips, and we will even try to include some of our favorite recipes whenever possible.

What if something unforeseen happens and there is little to harvest one week?

We totally understand how risky this may feel for you. Our promise to you is that we will do our best to ensure you receive a fair share each week. First keep in mind that on occasion, your bucket may be on the slim side, while other weeks will be overflowing with bounty to make up for it. Generally, it all balances out. If, however, we feel the season is a slim one and may not balance out fairly, then, at our discretion, we may occasionally substitute eggs, meat, or fresh baked bread to make up the difference. Our goal is to ensure you will always feel that you receive your money’s worth.

A single share receives a 2 gallon bucket, intended for 1-2 people. A Full Share price is $396, or about $18 per week.

You can pay the entire cost at once, or you can pay in monthly installments of your choice. We require a minimum first payment of $100 to reserve your share, which should be submitted with your order form. Either way, the entire cost must be paid prior to May 1. Remember, we are offering only a limited number of shares, so if you would like to participate in our 2019 produce share, don’t delay ordering!

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions.