FAQ
How do the (Membership) baskets work?
- Membership in our CSA gives you access to weekly baskets of veggies and meats from our farm and our partners’ farms.
- Our basket delivery season is 17 weeks from mid June to mid October
- We deliver the baskets to a community pick up point or home delivery
You choose from 2 basket types:
- Farmstead Harvest Basket : Our best value basket. Eat like you own your own farm. Ecologically grown veggies and ethical meats. This is a package which includes a customized veggie basket (3 options included), 1/4 share of grass fed beef ( a year’s worth!), 30$/week poultry credit
- Season harvest Veggie basket : A basket of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Can be customized with BASKET OPTIONS to get more of the things you like. You can add other options for meat too during your registration.
You pay a deposit when you register, joining our community. This reserves your spot and the funds are applied to the cost of your basket. From there we have different payment options depending on the basket you get.
Regardless of the basket that you get, all members of our CSA community can access our buyer’s club and can order additional food directly from the farm and have it delivered with their basket each week. You can also add options for farm fresh eggs and meat at registration.
How much does a weekly share cost?
Seeing our baskets can be customized, the exact price depends on the options you choose.
We are able to answer that though with an example:
Farmstead Harvest Baskets have a value of around 145$/week. 8-15 veggies in portions for at least 4-5 meals per week of the 17 week season. You’ll have 30$ worth of poultry during the season and a quarter beef, about a year’s worth for a small family. For a family of 3 people, this works out to about 5.25$ per person per day to eat directly from the farm during the season.
Our Seasonal Veggie Harvest Baskets (veggie only) come in 2 sizes.
- Seasonal Veggie Basket : Approx 40$ per week
- Seasonal Veggie Compliment Basket : Approx 23$ per week
Our Seasonal Veggie Harvest Baskets can be customized by adding options or meat. The basket itself provides the veggies for the same number of meals and people as above, starting at less than 2$ per person per day.
How do payments work?
Deposits are 400$ and are due at signup. This reserves your spot in the community and the funds are put towards the cost of your share.
Is my deposit refundable?
The simple answer is no. Your deposit is not refundable or transferable. The CSA deposit reserves your spot in the CSA and will be put towards the total cost of your share. The nature of a CSA program is for the members to invest in the farm as early in the season as possible to help cover initial costs to start the season. (Seeds, tools, equipment) As we are a small farm and business we depend on the commitments of our members and community 100% of the way.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes. We offer a payment schedule with the intention of making local, ethical eating accessible to the most people possible. While the plan is open to everyone, we do ask that if you can afford to pay up front.
Farmstead Harvest Baskets payments are 200$ per week starting mid June until Aug 31st (week 11 of deliveries) So towards the end of the season you will be receiving deliveries but no longer be making weekly payments!
Seasonal harvest Baskets, payments are due June 15th, for 200$ and any outstanding balance July 15th
*Any additional purchases made through our buying club must be paid on or before delivery.
What happens if I do not pay on time?
Late payments will result in a fee of $25 or a forfeit of the CSA share and deposit. The nature of a CSA program is for the members to invest in the farm as early in the season as possible. The farm cannot function, as it should, if payments are made late. As we are a small farm and business we depend on the commitments of our members and community 100% of the way.
How do I make payment?
Cheques: Send your check for the allotted amount to 13 chemin Lalonde Montpellier, Quebec. All checks should be made payable to Ferme La Machine.
Interac-E transfer: The simplest way to pay! Send us an e-transfer to info@fermelamachine.com
Will there be a limited number of shares?
Yes, we will be limiting our CSA, and we have sold out every year…. so act fast as we expect it to fill up fast!
Can I split a share with another household/family?
We strongly discourage splitting shares between more than one household as it has a negative financial impact on the farm. It also affects the quality of the product and service we are putting out there. Our goal is to feed families with the wholesome food they are looking for, directly from the farm. Splitting them up results in a lesser product for both families.
Can I come volunteer and get my hands dirty with my farmers?
Of course! If you would like to come and visit the farm during the season you are always welcome, after all, it’s your farm too! Just give us a call or message us to let us know when you plan to come by so you can be sure we will be here. We’ll be happy to discuss the farm and food or anything else… while we work.
Do you offer half shares?
We don’t offer half shares but do offer a Seasonal Veggie Compliment Basket. This share is ideal for individuals or small households that are, shall we say, learning to love their veggies or maybe a small family that has a garden that doesn’t t quite meet all of their needs.
How do I know if I will have enough vegetables?
Every household is different... but, the past few years have helped us have a good idea of the portions needed to feed our member families over the week. Our new options allow you to customize your seasonal harvest basket. If you are not sure of the right basket for your family, contact us, we will be happy to recommend a solution for you.
Which basket is right for me?
If you want to get out of the grocery store, get as much of your family’s food directly from the farm, eat meat and vegetables, our Farmstead Harvest basket is probably right for you.
If you are looking to eat farm fresh, ecologically grown vegetables, the Seasonal veggie basket is likely right for you. You'll have plenty of veggies and you can even customize your basket with options to get more of things you love. Great for vegetarians and vegans!
If you have your own garden or like to go to farmer’s markets during the season, try our Seasonal Veggie Compliment Basket. This is a smaller basket with fewer items for individuals or small families who have a small garden that doesn't meet their full needs.
Regardless of the basket that you get, all members of our CSA community can access our buyer’s club and can order additional food directly from the farm and have it delivered with their basket each week. You can also add options for farm fresh eggs and meat at registration.
Permaculture Practices
Permaculture is a broad concept that encompasses many values and principles. These can be expanded to cultural ideologies, community systems, and much more to become a way of life. At Ferme La Machine, we are inspired by the three basic principles of Permaculture and strive to incorporate them into all aspects of our farming life:
Care for the Earth:
In our production methods, we make sure that we preserve the natural environment as much as possible.
Care for People:
Education is very important to Ferme La Machine. The more knowledge we share, the more people are able to make informed decisions. Whether it be through our blog posts, informative videos or workshops, we will offer our knowledge to as many people as possible. Food Sovereignty is also a concern for us. Most people are not interested in consuming goods that have come in contact with pesticides, contain preservatives or are grown without a care for the environmental impact. Sadly, the reality is that most people don't have the choice, either because they cannot find good quality and ethically produced foods (access) or because they cannot afford it (economics). All left-over produce from our farmer’s markets is provided to a local charity while it is still fresh so that it can be quickly distributed to families in need.
Sharing of Surplus: We want as many people to be able to have a say in what they put in their bodies. By offering our veggies and partner products, we are offering people a choice. In order to help level the playing field, we have a donation option in our registration form . If you feel the way we do and can afford to share, we encourage you to donate any amount you wish. We will pool the funds and work with a local charity to connect with families in need so that they can eat great tasting healthy food.
How did this crazy project started ?
About a year and a half ago, we had an idea. We had just spent a week in a modest, rustic cabin in the hills. On our way, we visited farmer’s markets and had several inspiring conversations with local producers. The ride back to the cabin was spent talking about the farmers we had met and what it would be like to do what they do. Although they probably didn't make a lot of money, they seemed happy. And why wouldn’t they be? They sell health and happiness. That must feel pretty good.
Over the course of the next few days, friends came up to meet us, and each night we prepared and enjoyed delicious meals made from these beautiful ingredients. The cabin was far from luxurious, but the feeling of contentedness and fulfillment of being surrounded by nature, enjoying fresh, locally produced food in the company of friends was the recipe for forgetting the daily grind we had left behind.
We came to the realization that times like these were a very important part of our happiness. Yet, why did we, like so many of our friends, have so few occasions to enjoy them? Could life really feel like this more often? Was there a difference between standard of living and quality of life? How could we share this feeling with others?
One thing was certain. It was time for a change, and it would start with us.