Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pick what crops I will receive in the CSA?

Yes!!! Based on member feedback beginning in the 2020 season we will be offering a Choose Your Own Farm Share. 

Pre-pay in $200 increments and each week you choose exactly what vegetables and fruits you’d like and in what quantity from our network of beginning and immigrant farmers. We will assemble your order and deliver to the pick up location of your choosing. Pre-load greater amounts for larger credits.

$200 = $200 farm share credits
$400 = $410 farm share credits
$600 = $630 farm share credits
$800 = $860 farm share credits
$1000 = $1100 farm share credits

There is no limit to what combinations of products that you order but we do ask that you order a minimum of $20 per week to help cover the cost of packing and delivery. We reserve the right to cancel any orders less than $20.

What happens to my balance at the end of the season with the Choose Your Own Farm Share?

At the beginning of the season we ask that the Choose Your Own Farm Share accounts be loaded in $200 increments but as the season progresses we will offer smaller dollar amounts to reload your account so that you won't have a huge balance at the end of the season.

Any remaining balance at the end of the season will be used to support the New Entry mission and Food Access work. That being said, we'll try to make sure that you have plenty of opportunities to use up any credits in your Choose Your Own Farm Share account before the season ends. You can stock up on storage crops and pantry items to ensure a healthy local winter kitchen. 

 

How do I prepare the items in my share?

Each week we will send/post the share contents and recipes to match. Visit nesfp.org/foodhub/produce&recipes to see our list of Produce & Recipes.

What can I expect to be in may share each week?

Before each pickup date we will send/post shareholders a share forecast. The share forecast will include the share contents for the following week. Please note share contents are subject to change as harvests may be affected by weather, pests, etc.

On a given week, you can expect to receive the following fresh & local produce in your share:

Spring - Baby Salad Greens, Green Onion, Bok Choy, Snap Peas, Red Radishes, Celery, Parsley, Honey

Summer - Cherry Tomatoes, Slicing Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Summer Squash, Peaches, Cabbage, Oregano, Garlic, Green Beans, Cilantro, Spring Onions, Basil 

Fall - Plums, Anaheim Pepper, Heirloom Tomato, Sweet Pepper, Chives, Husk Cherries, Kale, Eggplant, Delicata Squash, Thyme 

Can I extend my summer share?

Yes. If you wish to extend your 10 week Summer Season Share into the Fall for another 10 weeks. Contact FoodHub@nesfp.org at least a week before the Fall Season Share begins on August 24th or purchase Choose Your Own Farm Share credits to extend your season to the length that works for you! 

What if I miss my pickup window?

Shareholders should arrive at their chosen pickup location for the season, during the designated pickup time window. If you missed the pickup window contact your site coordinator, some sites may hold shares for a short time after the window has closed.

If you don’t pick up your share, we will repurpose it as a donation to our food access initiatives. If you want a friend to pick up your share, that’s fine, and you don’t need to notify us. 

If you know you won’t be able to pick up your share, let us know at least a week in advance so we can plan to place your delivery on hold and to be picked up on a later pickup date (you would receive two box shares on one week) or to donate it to our food access initiatives.

Email FoodHub@nesfp.org with your full name, pickup location, date you can’t pick up, and pickup date you would like to receive two boxes, or if you would like your share donated.

Can I use a check to register for the CSA?

Yes. You can make a payment by echeck through our website. If you would like to mail a paper check please contact us at foodhub@nesfp.org to make arrangements. 

Make checks payable to “Tufts University” and mail it to:

New Entry Sustainable Farming Project

Attn: Food Hub

733 Cabot Street

Beverly, MA 01915

How do I get my share home?

Please bring your own bag to pick up your share. Shares are delivered in reusable plastic bins. The bins are never to be taken from the pickup site. You are always expected to bring your own bags.

Is New Entry Food Hub's produce sustainable?

We source fruits and vegetables from farms within 100 miles of eastern Massachusetts that use certified organic practices, compliant but uncertified organic practices, or Integrated Pest Management. We only use fresh, local produce which means it last longer!

Addionally, by purchasing a share from the New Entry Food Hub you are supporting our Beginning Farmer Training programs which train a new generation of farmers to grow using organic and sustainable practices. 

Does New Entry Food Hub offer a winter share or extended season share?

Yes, after New Entry's move to Moraine Farm in 2019 we are now able to grow more storage and root crops during the crop production course and offer more infrastructure and space to our incubator farmers. This has allowed us to begin to offer a Farmers Choice Holiday CSA Share! Click here for more information about share contents, distribution dates, and locations. 

 

What if I want to cancel my share?

No refunds will be made after two weeks of delivery. Refunds will be determined on a case by case basis, please contact us should you desire a refund at FoodHub@nesfp.org.

How can I support your important mission-based work?

Our program supports small farmers and increases access to fresh & local fruits and vegetables in underserved communities.

New Entry Food Hub helps to strengthen local communities and increase access to fresh food by partnering with senior centers, homeless shelters, childcare facilities, food banks & pantries, and other organizations serving low-income community members.

New Entry continually seeks philanthropic community support for the specific purpose of supporting the low-income food access program. The food access program is not possible without financial support to close the gap between what consumers can afford and what farmers need to cover costs of production and earn a living wage.

Please visit nesfp.org/foodaccess to learn more about our food access programs and how you can get involved. To Donate Please Click Here and note “Food Access Program” in the notes field.

Can I register by mail?

No, we only accept online registration.  If you encounter difficulty during the online process, email us at FoodHub@nesfp.org and we will be happy to help you through the steps!

Can I use a credit card, debit card, or PayPal to register for the CSA online?

We accept all major credit and debit cards. We do not accept PayPal.

When does the CSA season begin and end?

The New Entry CSA season (Full Season share and Choose Your Own share) runs for 20 weeks from the week of June 15th - the week of October 30th. 

The Summer Share runs from the week of June 15th - August 21st.

The Fall Share runs from the week of August 24th - October 30th.

The Farmers Choice Holiday CSA Share has two distributions the week before Thanksgiving and Christmas.

What if I can't pick up my share?

If you don’t pick up your share, we will repurpose it as a donation to our food access initiatives. If you want a friend to pick up your share, that’s fine, and you don’t need to notify us. 

If you know you won’t be able to pick up your share, let us know at least a week in advance so we can plan to place your delivery on hold and to be picked up on a later pickup date (you would receive two box shares on one week) or to donate it to our food access initiatives.

Email FoodHub@nesfp.org with your full name, pickup location, date you can’t pick up, and pickup date you would like to receive two boxes, or if you would like your share donated.

Can I split my share with another household?

Yes! Multiple households that are splitting a single share should make pickup arrangements with one another. Either have one partner pick up the share, or meet at the distribution to split it up.

Under no circumstances should anyone leave a partial share at the pickup site for their partner to pick up, as someone else may mistakenly take it thinking it is a full share. Please do not ask site coordinators to hold a partial share for your share partners.

Another option is to purchase a Choose Your Own Farm Share which gives you the ability to customize your weekly box with the produce that you want in the quantities that work for you!

Can I change my pick up location?

Most likely. Contact FoodHub@nesfp.org at least a week before your next pickup for a change. Include the shareholders name, current pickup location, and pickup location you wish to change to.