What is a CSA?
The GFC runs very much like a Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA program. CSA represents a cooperative relationship between consumers and farmers allowing people to buy fresh vegetables and fruit directly from local farmers. CSA members pay in advance of the growing season and then receive fresh quality produce during each week of the season. This model provides local farmers with an established market in advance of the growing season and provides members with access to GOOD FOOD and real value for their investment.
What will a weekly share look like?
Use our HARVEST SCHEDULE to see what foods will be available during the different months of the growing season. Members will receive 6 to 14 different types of vegetables or fruit each week for the FULL SHARE and 6 to 14 different types of vegetables or fruit each week for the HALF SHARE (although half the quantity of the Full Share). Although a bit slower during the first few weeks of the growing season, members receive enough VEGETABLES each week to supply an average family of 2 to 4 with the FULL SHARE and 1 to 2 people with the HALF SHARE, with a few fruit varieties mixed in each week.
Members will show up to distribution and find an extensive and convenient display of that week’s vegetables and fruit at our “mobile market” distribution set up. Members will be able to take from each variety displayed, filling their own bags or bags we can supply at distribution. Some locations, like BREATHE YOGA in Pittsford, shares comes pre-boxed in one of our bins and members fill their bags right from their own bin.
When and where will distribution take place?
The GFC distributes throughout the week at our various workplace and community-based locations, mid June through mid October. See our LOCATIONS & TIMES page to see the complete list and more specific details.
Is there a payment plan option?
YES! We offer two different methods of payment, members can pay in full using a secure, on-line credit card or Paypal payment or members can choose to pay by check. When paying by check, members can either send in a check for your full membership fee OR send a nonrefundable deposit of $100 to reserve your spot and pay the remainder by June 1st. The Good Food Collective will email you monthly reminders to assure your timely payment by June.
Is the food Organic?
All of our farms (except for a few well noted exceptions) are either Certified Organic or using organic practices but are not officially certified. These producers represent the best in our area’s efforts of sustainable agriculture. The integrity of the food within the GFC is the very top, and our farmers are some of the very best!
Exceptions: Some of the fruit distributed through the GFC is certified organic or grown using organic methods. Some of our fruit comes from local farmers using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and low spray techniques but is not grown organically. Fruit is more challenging to grow in our area using organic practices. The GFC is working hard to network with sustainable fruit growers and to partner with our existing growers in their efforts to grow using organic methods.
Any food that is not grown using organic methods will be noted in our weekly eletter.
What if I am out of town, or forget to pick-up my share?
The GFC recommends that anyone that knows they will miss a distribution day should prearrange to have someone pick the share up for them or have that person take it home themselves.
Members can also arrange to meet the GFC team at another location on another day. Members will have to email in that request a day or two in advance.
Members can always ask that their share not be delivered on any given week. However, the GFC does not refund any of the membership cost in such a situation. The food in that case would be donated to local agencies and food cupboards. Any shares that have not been picked up at the end of distribution will also be donated after all of our distributions have finished. The GFC will be able to provide some opportunity for picking up a share later in the day, at another location, or the following day, but members will have to contact us to arrange that, we are always happy to help figure something out!
How do I work towards getting my workplace or community location as a distribution location?
For employers, employees, or community members interested in having their workplace or community location become a distribution location, CONTACT US so we can begin the conversation. In so doing, our team is able to work with your business or organization to see if a necessary level of interest exists and what the most convenient and effective distribution process could be.
Can businesses and organizations support and subsidize membership?
The GFC is excited to work with businesses and health insurance providers to explore ways for employees to receive support in making and affording healthy food choices. CONTACT US to begin the conversation around how we can customize a situation that works towards your desired goals, including allowing your institution to oversee enrollment and thus offer payroll deduction as a method of payment or health insurance programs offering subsidies for membership.
How can I support Good Food for All?
The GFC seeks to work in collaboration with community, business, and foundation support to offer subsidized membership in the GFC for low income individuals and families in Rochester.
Please CONTACT US to learn more about the program and how you may be able to support this important effort.