- How do I sign up?
- To sign up, simply mail a check payable to Porter Farms. Our address is:
PO Box 416 Elba, NY 14058. Please indicate which distribution group you would
like to join (full list is on our website under "Pick-Up Locations") and
provide us with your name, address, phone number, and email address. This
information remains private, but allows us to get in touch with you in the
event of a program change. Remember--you are not officially a member until
payment is received.
- Can I join after the season is already underway?
- YES! We are always accepting new members. Please contact us for a
pro-rated price.
- When will vegetables be available?
- We will begin our 2008 season in late June. Please look for a post card in
late May with pick-up site information and your site coordinator's contact
information.
- How much food is in the bag each week?
- Shares are offered in one size only. Generally, there is about 10-12lbs of
produce each week. We try to keep an assortment of about 6-10 different
vegetables in each bag, varying with each week and season.
- What if a share is too much food for me?
- We suggest that you find a friend, relative or neighbor to split your
share with. There are different ways you can accomplish this. Either divide
the vegetables each week, or you take the bag one week and your friend takes
it the next week. When mailing payment, please include both your checks
together in one envelope and include contact information for all households.
- What time can I expect to be able to pick up my bag?
- The bags are filled on Saturday morning from 6am to 9am. If you are a
local member you may pick up any time after 9. If you can't make it before
11:00am we will put your bag in the cooler, where it will remain until you can
pick it up. If you are a driver from Buffalo, we ask that you arrive between 9
and 11am, this will insure that the bags arrive at their drop off sites by
12:00pm. For the Rochester members the exact schedule will not be determined
until the driver has done the route and we know exactly how many bags we have
to deliver. However, it is our goal to get the bags to their drop-off site by
1:00pm.
- How does this work for Rochester-area members?
- Rochester-area members will choose a pick up site most convenient for
them, and our driver will deliver to the site by 1:00pm. Your site coordinator
will contact you with details.
- How does this work for Buffalo-area members?
- Buffalo area members will choose a pick up site most convenient for them,
and then will rotate driving to the farm to pick up the bags for their group.
Depending on the size of the group the members only have to drive between 1
and 3 times over the 22 week season.
- Where's Elba and how do I get there?
- Elba is located halfway between Buffalo and Rochester. To get to the farm,
take the Batavia Exit 48 off the Thruway (turn right) on Route 98 going North,
continue 3 miles. Turn right onto Edgerton Rd. another 2 miles, look for the
Porter Farm sign on the left. Produce is in the barn at the end of the drivway
on the left.
- What if I can't get to pick up my bag until Sunday?
- If you know you will not be able to get your bag on Saturday, please let
your site host know so they can make sure your bag is put in a protected place
until you can get there. If you normally pick up your bag at the farm each
week, we have a cooler where your bag will be stored.
- What if I am going out of town and can not pick up my bag?
- We encourage members to find a friend,neighbor,house sitter or co-worker
to give the bag to. If you absolutely can not find anyone to give your bag to,
let us know by phone or e-mail and we will donate your bag to a local family
or organization.
- What kind of vegetables do you grow?
- We grow a variety of organic vegetables. Please refer to the "In the Bag"
page for a breakdown by month.
- How do I get in touch with Porter Farms?
- If you still have questions after reviewing our website, you may email us
at csa@porterfarms.org or phone us at (585) 757-6823. Please keep in mind that
Mike is a full-time farmer and he is only in the farm office once or twice a
day to check messages. All other family members who help with the CSA have
outside full-time jobs off the farm and help in their spare time. Please be
understanding and patient with us if it takes us a few days to get back to
you. We do our best to respond to your questions as quickly as possible.
- Do I get to choose what I get in my bag each week?
- Sorry, no. We harvest what is in season each week. Since the majority of
our members do not come to the farm it is too difficult to customize each bag.
- What is Porter Farms policy on Returned Checks?
- Bounce a check, and we'll forgive you, for $20! A bounced check definitely
adds to our administrative costs and headaches.