What is a meat CSA and why should I join?
A CSA is Community Suppported Agriculture. The usual form of a CSA is a vegetable one in which a customer buys a share of the year's crop in exchange for paying at the beginning of the season. This allows for a stronger relationship between the consumer and the farmer and allows the consumer to know exactly how their produce is grown. For us, we have decided to raise the animals and sell the meats instead of the vegetables, but we are operating our CSA along the same fashion as the vegetable ones.
By joining a meat CSA, you are helping support our local family farm while providing your family with a healthy and nutritious source of meat. You are allowing us the guarantee that our meats will be sold and more easily let us plan for what our future needs will be. In return, you get a guaranteed amount of meat at a great deal that is raised without all of the hormones and antibiotics that have become a standard in the growing practices of many of the large factories farms. You can eat knowing that your meat came from animals that were allowed to roam pastures, eat grass, breath fresh air and generally lead a happy life.
CSA members commit up front to buy meat shares that will give the farmer the capital he/she needs to bring their animal from field to market.

What is in a share?
Shares in our meat CSA can consist of a combination of beef, pork, chicken, goat, lamb, veal, cheese, maple syrup, goat milk soap & lotion, and eggs. The cuts in the bundles could include any of the cuts we offer except the unique items (bones, organs). Of course the option to purchase additional items will always be available at any time at a discounted price for CSA members. Recipes for the cuts are also available for those interested! The bundles will ultimately be one third ground & stew products, one third roasts and one third higher end cuts (refer to CSA cuts sheet), by averaging you will certainly get your money’s worth. All of our poultry birds will be included in the share as a whole bird. The meats and poultry included in the shares reflect what is available on the farm for that particular month and cannot be customized.

How are meat CSA shares packaged and distributed?
Shares in the meat CSA will be distributed on a monthly basis on pre-set days. Each share is pre-assembled at the farm and delivered to members for pick-up at one of our designated pick-up sites: Downtown Bedford Farmers Market, Johnstown Farmers Market and Westmont Farmers Market. Meats included in the share are freshly processed, vacuum-sealed, and flash frozen by a certified USDA facility. All shares will be distributed in an ice packed cooler ready for you take home. While we will do our best to ensure adequate ice packs are included to keep your meat frozen, we ask that you get the cooler home and meat in your freezer as soon as possible. We cannot be responsible for your meat once you have picked it up.

Can I customize my share?
We cannot take requests to pack/not pack specific cuts of meat, but feel we have offered enough choices that should suit everyone’s needs. The basic 5 & 10 pound shares will be a combination of beef, pork, and 1 dozen of eggs. The basic 15 & 20 pound shares will be a combination of beef, pork, chicken, and 1 dozen of eggs. In addition to any of the CSA shares you can choose to include goat, lamb, veal, cheese, maple syrup, and/or our goat milk soap & lotion products at an additional cost. We are offering a 10% discount on any products purchased from us by a CSA member. These additional purchases can be made in addition to the share and delivered with the share on the pick up day, or can be purchased from us at any point in time.

Share Pick-ups:
Meat CSA members are responsible for picking up their shares monthly at our designated locations. Members MUST pick-up within the time frame detailed for each site location unless otherwise arranged with us. Packages not picked up will be forfeited. Members must select the location they prefer to pick up their shares at on the order form. A pick-up schedule, complete with dates and times will be posted on our website and printed in our monthly newsletter. We highly recommend that members always check the pick-up schedule before traveling to the CSA pick-up location. Meat shares are only available for pick-up at the designated pick-up sites on the dates listed on our pick-up schedule. Thank you for understanding that due to the perishable nature of meat, other accommodations are not available and alternate pick-up days are not an option at this time.

What if I go on vacation or am unable to make a scheduled pick-up?
No problem. Just notify us in advance and to make other arrangements for pickup. All cuts are frozen and are good for 12 months. The most important thing I can say about this is communication.

How do I become a member?
In order to become a member, you have to sign up on the Sign Up Page. We will then mail a packet with all information and an order form to be completed and returned with payment based on the payment schedule you select. Be sure to include the $20 cooler deposit with your initial payment (refunded at the end of the share subscription). We prefer payment by check made payable to D N’D Farms. At this time we are only offering the 3 and 6 month commitments, but are planning on offering a 1 year subscription at a later time. All members will be supplied with a CSA member card. When meat is pick up you will need to show your card and also anytime you wish to make additional purchases and take advantage of the member 10% off discount.

What if I need to cancel my share?
Shares may only be cancelled before the first pickup with a cancellation fee of $50.

Shares size & cost:
Please note: Dealing with meat can be challenging. Actuall pound weight of each cut may vary as much as 20% and actual poundage of the entire share may vary up to 5%, but the dollar value of you share will stay the same. In other words you don't know in advance what particular cuts will be in your share each month, but you know that you are getting what you paid for.

How long does the meat last?
The meat is freshly processed, frozen and distributed to share members. As a general rule, non-smoked pieces of meat are good kept in the freezer for 12-16 months. Smoked pieces of meat, such as ham or bacon are good kept in the freezer for 8-10 months. As stated above, the meats included in the CSA are freshly processed, and for this reason occasionally, are included fresh (meaning they have not been frozen yet). Fresh cuts can be refrigerated for use in 1-4 days or can be frozen for later use.

Can special orders be placed for an additional or select item(s):
Many folks make special orders for additional items to be picked up with their CSA shares. We suggest placing these orders as early as possible in order for us to plan. All CSA members receive an additional 10% discount on any additional products.