CSA – Frequently Asked Questions
CSA stands for “Community Supported Agriculture” also known as a “Farm Share”.
It is the coming together of the consumer, the farmer, and the land in order to support and grow sustainable agriculture in the local community.
It’s a way of integrating farming into your life and that of the community with all its benefits.
When you sign up for a Forsythe Farms CSA share, you are supporting us as your local farmer by providing a steady income for the farm by pre-purchasing a share of the fruits and vegetables that we grow as well as helping us with planting costs.
In return, you and your family are able to try new vegetables, eat seasonably, and receive fresh fruits and vegetables directly from the farm. Our fall share program extends your connection to the farming season allowing you to love local longer.
Forsythe Family Farms 2009 Inc. is a family farm that believes it’s important to stay connected to where your food comes from. Joining our CSA involves you in the journey of your food from the farm to your fork.
We invite you to be a part of that journey.
With membership in our CSA program, you enjoy free admission to our farm for you and your family during the season you signed up for.
Our CSA members also receive exclusive deals, a 5% discount in our on-farm market, and early access to our pick-your-own fields.
You will receive a weekly newsletter keeping you updated on
- what to expect in the coming weeks,
- the activities and events happening on the farm (some exclusive to members only),
- recipes & videos relating to the weekly share content,
- special deals.
The beauty of a CSA membership is that the produce share contents vary from week to week, as we bring you the freshest seasonal offerings.
You will receive an email at the start of each share week, detailing what’s in the box, along with recipes and suggestions on how to use the items.
You will always receive $35.00 worth of produce.
Click here to see some examples of past shares and click here for more pictures!
We are not certified organic but do include some organic produce in our shares.
Produce from our farm is grown responsibly using minimal chemical inputs only if needed to save the crop.
Insects, diseases, and weather all play a part in farming and we try to deal with them in the best way available.
The produce we source locally from other Ontario farms is from growers we know and trust. This allows us to increase the variety in your shares over and above what we grow ourselves.
Sign up online to have your weekly share picked, packed and ready for your pick up at whichever location you choose.
In the spirit of a CSA, you pay in advance to invest in the farmer’s production of growing the food.
Payments with MasterCard, Visa, or e-transfer can be made at checkout through our online store. Paying by cash or debit is possible at our on-farm market and farmers’ markets.
You can choose to pay either in full or in 2 instalments.
Pay in full -
Whatever your share choice, you pay the full cost upfront for our CSA program season.
Pay in two instalments.
Paying by 2 instalments is possible if you pay by e Transfer. The first payment is due when you register. The remaining balance is due the week your first share is to be picked up.
If you’ll be away for one of your pick-up weeks, that’s o.k.!
Our change form allows you to tell us if you’ll be missing a share, and we can work with you to find the best solution.
You can
- have someone else pick it up for you,
- we can delay it, and provide you with a double share the following pick-up week,
- or you can donate your share, and we will ensure it goes to a family in need, through one of our partner organizations.
One of the best parts of a CSA membership is trying new and unusual produce.
However, if you find something you are allergic to, or just don’t want, you can access our change form, and swap up to 2 items each share.
If you pick up your share box at a Farmers’ Market or the farm, you can make the swaps in person when you pick up your share box.
Yes! One of the best ways to tell us you like what we’re doing is to tell other people!
For our existing CSA members, we offer a referral program to help encourage you to spread the word.
For every new member that you refer, you will receive a $5 credit for use at our farm store or Farmer's Market locations.
