When and Where is Vegetable Share Pick-Up? Vegetable Share Pick-Up takes place on Tuesdays from 9am-6pm at the red barn at 193 Iron Street, Ledyard. Shares are pre-packed for contactless pick-up.
How do I sign up? You can sign up online by clicking "SIGN UP TODAY" at the bottom of the Summer Vegetable Share page. You can also sign up by emailing us at [email protected] and arranging to pay by cash or check.
What happens if I miss a share pick up? We encourage our members to visit the farm each week during market hours to pick up items for their share, but understand that commitment is not always possible. Members are encouraged to send a friend or neighbor to pick up their share on weeks when they cannot make it to the farm.
Unclaimed shares will be donated at the end of the day and members of our local community are always grateful for the donation!
What happens if there is a terrible storm this season or bad disease? As members of the farm community, shareholders assume the risk of farming. In cases of bad weather (drought, floods, storms), disease, pests, and other unexpected challenges, there may be shortages in farm products or a lack of diversity. The farmers will do their VERY BEST to deliver high-quality farm products in their full value each week. We are part of a large network of local growers that we work with to fill in gaps in our growing schedule, to the best of our ability.
There are no refunds for missed shares (on the shareholder's part) or smaller shares than planned (on the farmer's part). The farmers also reserve the right to reschedule a market day during weather situations where it is deemed unsafe to harvest or travel to the farm for pick-up.
Why should I join the Vegetable Share, instead of just purchasing food from somewhere else? First, the Vegetable Share program is the best way to ensure you have access to fresh, seasonal food each week. The easiest way to eat healthy is to surround yourself with fresh produce. It's a great way to learn about what's in season, gather new recipes, and be part of a growing community.
Second, the Vegetable Share program is one of the best ways to support local farmers! It provides us with the money needed upfront at the beginning of the season and spreads out some of the risk of growing food for others. Your investment in our farm directly supports our young family and our local community.
Third, Vegetable Share members play an ACTIVE role in the local food movement as they spend a season learning about how food on our farm is grown, prepared, and enjoyed. Through our weekly newsletters you learn about our life and local agriculture, as well as new recipes and menu ideas.
What are the benefits of joining the Vegetable Share program? The Vegetable Share Program is the best way to support the farm. The upfront sign-ups allow us to get an idea of WHO we are feeding, so we can grow more of the things that you like and develop a recipe selection that best suits your cooking interests. Our members receive a detailed weekly newsletter that includes anecdotes of life on the farm, recipes, meal planning ideas, and even tips on preserving the harvest to add diversity to your winter meals. Visiting the farm each week gives our members an indescribable sense of place. Our members try more new foods and eat more vegetables compared to just visiting the farm stand.
What types of vegetables are included in the share? Full Heart Farm grows over 100 different varieties of vegetables, berries, herbs, and flowers throughout the calendar year. A short list includes; beans, beets, bok choi, cabbage, carrots, cucumber, eggplant, greens, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, peas, peppers, potatoes, onion, swiss chard, tomato, turnips, winter squash, zucchini, and so much more!
How do I know if the Vegetable Share Program will be a good fit for me? Our members come to the farm from a variety of backgrounds and stages in their lives, but they all value good food, enjoy trying new foods, and set aside time each day to cook. They value learning about the farm and testing out new recipes. They value their health and recognize the importance of nutrient dense foods in their diet. They value developing a relationship with their farmer so that they can become more informed consumers. In our experience, people that have very busy schedules or enjoy only specific foods usually prefer to shop at the grocery store or farmers market.
What if I can’t use my entire share? You are always welcome to send a friend or neighbor to pick up your share or a portion of your share. We also maintain a list of families in need and regularly make donations to the Food Pantry, if you would like us to donate your unneeded share items to someone in need. Fresh food is ALWAYS appreciated by those in our local community and nothing at the farm goes to waste.
How will the Vegetable Share be set up? Inside our outdoor walk-in cooler, shares will be packed individually in reusable crates that remain at the farm. Members are asked to bring at least one bag with them to pick-up each week to bring their share home in.
Do you offer payment plans? It is our hope that members will make a commitment to the farm in advance of the season and budget to pay the remainder of their deposit before the share season, but we are always happy to work with families to make our food accessible to all. If you are in need of an alternate payment plan, please contact Farmer Allyson at allyson (at) fullheartfarm (dot) com, and we will do our best to develop an arrangement tailored to your needs.