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, 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. 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. 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 to 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. Shares will
be a combination of beef, pork, and 1 dozen of eggs.
In addition to any of the CSA shares you can choose
to include goat, lamb, veal, 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. 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.
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.
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