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CSA Program 2010
CSA Community Supported
Agriculture Agreement What is Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)?
A step above farmer's markets, the CSA model connects eaters to growers in a way no other distribution system can. Farmer's markets, at least locally, are troubled with "resellers", as well as factory farm practices, employees staffing booths who never set foot on the farm, and the high cost of inspections that don't do the job they're designed to do. What's more, many markets don't have a reputation for providing organic produce, which has a circular effect of not attracting organic buyers, so when the organic farmers do show up, they get discouraged. Many small family farms are responding with going directly to the local food supporter in the form of a weekly subscription basket. Customers get truly local, "just harvested" freshness. Because subscribers make a commitment, the farmer knows months ahead of time how many customers to plant for, and can cost-effectively take risks with unusual and heirloom vegetables. Produce in a grocery store is often 14 days old and has, on average traveled 1500 (unsustainable) miles, losing nutrition and flavor along the way. Having your organic fruit and vegetables harvested and delivered directly from the farm provides a fresher, tastier alternative. The reasons for buying locally-produced food are compelling. These include the benefits of eating fresher, tastier, and more nutritionally intact food, reducing air pollution and fossil fuel consumption through decreased transportation miles, greater variety selection, preserving farmland and open space, and keeping money within the local economy. Grocery store food from half-way around the world can never compete with the benefits of locally grown produce! How does this CSA Work?
As a member of the Morning Song Farm's CSA, a weekly basket of fresh fruit and vegetables is delivered to one of our drop points (see below). Our program requires commitments in 13 week blocks, i.e. quarterly. You can pay by check or credit card. Many CSA's depend on volunteer labor. We don't, but would love your help and will have volunteer days for those who'd like to get their hands dirty. We promise not to give you the worst jobs! (There's more to farming than shoveling manure.) What About Vacations?
This is how we typically handle vacations: Each 13 week quarter we figure one optional skip week into our costs, and credit accordingly, provided we get enough advance notice that we got to remove you from the roster. Currently, that's Friday night. Total of 4 credits for missed baskets per year. After that, we encourage our fabulous supporters to find a friend or family in need who will pick up the basket and use it, but not to expect a credit. Do E mail us a week in advance, and we’ll happily credit your account against the next billing. We sure appreciate the CSA model of continual economic support which allows us to know how much income we can depend on each week, and hope that our credit policy works for everyone! If you have an unusual situation such as an extended vacation, or you live only some of the year here, please call me so that we can discuss a customized arrangement. What about if we decide not to continue our subscription after the 13 weeks?
No worries. We bill your credit card quarterly, just let us know you're not continuing. Send off an e mail that you’re quitting before we’ve billed you! It’s that easy. If you need to temporarily stop your baskets and you’ve already been billed for some you haven’t received, we’ll leave your account credited until you return. We plant and tend crops for you months before you see them in your baskets. We harvest, wash, pack and deliver the baskets, and they become yours. Even if you're on vacation, and forgot to E mail us. Our feathers won’t become ruffled if you choose to quit after the initial 13 week quarter. You don’t need to explain your reasons to us, although we’re always trying to improve our services, and would love to know. If you have suggestions or comments, we’d like to hear them! If you’d like to quit, do tell us before we’ve charged your card! The CSA model depends on its supporters to share in the transportation cost of getting your food to your table. Picking up your basket or carton is your contribution and responsibility. Drop off points do not have refrigeration to store missed baskets, nor do they provide any farm-related services other than kindly offering their location as a pick-up site. Many supporters find a neighborhood “pick-up buddy” to share the errand of picking up each week’s basket, which is especially convenient when there’s a schedule conflict. Start me up by MAIL:
Send in this form and your first check or credit card authorization. We will charge you for the first quarter, and pro-rate if it's mid-quarter. If you want to use a Visa or Mastercard, you can do so by authorizing below. Alternately, you can pay by check for 13 baskets. Once you become a member, we'll automatically bill and charge your credit card quarterly, near the beginning of each quarter. To end your subscription just send us an email, that's all it takes. Only Way to Communicate Information such as vacations skips or subscriptions ending:
Please use E-mail to communicate important information. All cancellations, vacation skips and important communications must be via E- mail. If you know way ahead of time that you'll be discontinuing membership, please go ahead and let us know! E-mail us at: donna@morningsongfarm.com. Morning Song Farm can also be reached by phone (949) 310-4870 for questions, comments, etc.., but again, E-mail is a necessity for important communications! The following are our current pick up sites: Riverside County: Temecula Olive Oil Company in Old Towne, Temecula San Diego County: On Farm: Rainbow Glen Rd., Rainbow, CA Del Mar: Residential Neighborhood off of Del Mar Heights Road Oceanside: Residential Neighborhood on Leonard Avenue near the beach Cardiff: Freeway close off of Birmingham Inland Carlsbad: 3000 Block of Corte Tradicion, Carlsbad Date Street in Escondido Point Loma Orange County: San Clemente North: Salon Zinnia at the Krikorian Theatre Complex, San Clemente 118 Avenida San Dimas, San Clemente Irvine: Frost Street, Irvine (near UCI) Irvine: Paamco (employees only) Newport: Balance in Motion, 1835 Newport Blvd. Newport Costa Mesa: Old Vine Cafe at The Camp, Costa Mesa Santa Ana: Road Less Traveled, 200 Main Street, Santa Ana Tustin: Common Ground, 14051 Newport Avenue, Tustin Laguna Beach: South PCH Crown Valley Elem. School (Fund Raiser--add $2.50 a week to share cost)
Order Form:
fax to: 951-693-0804 Name__________________________________________________ Address_________________________________________________ Phone number___________________________________________ E mail address____________________________________________ I want to become a supporting member and receive baskets for at least 13 weeks! In particular, I’ve read and agree to the Vacation Policy, the E Mail Rather Than Phone Policy, and our customer-friendly Termination of Services Policy. The cost is only $44.50 (large) or 34.50 (small) a week and is payable in 13 week blocks by Visa or Mastercard. There is a $10 start up fee. I want the LARGE or the SMALL (circle one) size. I hereby give authorization to charge my credit card. I will be picking up my share at:______________________ . (Please check one of the locations above!
Card Account No.______________________ Exp.Date: ______ Signature____________________________ Date___________ Billing Address:_________________________________________
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