Sign Up for 2009!
The last week of CSA deliveries for 2008 was November 19th to 21st.. Thanks to all of you, we have had an excellent year of growing and delivering vegetables through the CSA. It has been a year full of challenges: increased costs for fuel, seed, compost, labor, and almost all other farm inputs, combined with an almost overwhelming level of interest in the CSA. We feel confident that we have met these challenges fairly gracefully, thanks to our super competent and dedicated administrator Shelley (and her able assistant Caitlyn), Andy and Steve's ability to plant more and handle the production and delivery end, our excellent route drivers Peter, Mike, Zelda, and Elias, and of course both farms' fantastic field crews.
One lesson we have learned from this year's administrative challenge, is that we need to start earlier to be on top of sign-ups from the first week of the season. Another is that we need to raise our prices. We don't take raising the cost lightly; we want our vegetables to be affordable to all. But we also need the price to reflect the costs, to be able to pay our workers a living wage, and to continue to explore options for lessening our environmental impact in terms of boxes and bags we use. So we have decided on a minimal price increase of $2/box. Flower cost will increase to $8 per week.
There will be a 5% discount for those who pay in full by February 16th. This discount is only for people who pay for the full 36 weeks. As always, if you know you will be away for vacations, plan for a neighbor or friend to pick up for you, or ask us to donate the vegetables for those weeks. With our CSA this full, we need to have consistent numbers from week to week, and Loaves and Fishes is extremely appreciative for the vegetables we send them from your donations. (This is a hard time for many charity organizations and we are happy to be able to help them out.)
In order to make sign-ups as fair as possible for 2009, we have instituted the following registration policies. Our goal is for our current customers to have priority in signing up, then to allow those who are still on our 2008 waiting list the opportunity to sign up, before opening up registration for all. (Note that while we are asking for checks to hold your spot now, we will not deposit them until after January 1st.) Our 2009 season starts the week of March 18th, 19th, and 20th and ends the week of November 18th, 19th, and 20th.
Tier 1 Registration—Current Members Only (you must be receiving vegetables now):
November 10th –December 1st 2008 : Send your check now to hold your spot for 2009 (an e-mail or phone call is not enough).
Full year with discount (vegetables only): $752
First 9 weeks (veg only): $198
Full year with discount (veg + flowers): $1026
First 9 weeks (veg + flowers): $270
Tier 2 Registration—Waiting List and Returning Members (you must have contacted us before Nov 10 to be on our waiting list, or be in our system as a previous member in good standing):
December 2nd 2008 –January 15th 2009 : We must receive your check by January 15 th for you to have priority in this round. See prices above.
Tier 3 Registration—Open to All, Full-Year Discount Available
January 16th –February 16th : If you wish to get the full-year discount we must receive your check by February 16 th . (If your desired pick-up site is full we will return your check and put you on our 2009 waiting list.)
Full year with discount (vegetables only): $752
First 9 weeks (veg only): $198
Full year with discount (veg + flowers): $1026
First 9 weeks (veg + flowers): $270
4-week trial for new members only (veg only): $88
4-week trial for new members only (veg + flowers): $120
Tier 4 Registration—Open to All, NO DISCOUNT AVAILABLE
February 17th —end of season: Open to all, as spots are available. Contact the office first to see if there is space available at your pick-up site.
Full year (vegetables only): $792
First 9 weeks (veg only): $198
Full year (veg + flowers): $1080
First 9 weeks (veg + flowers): $270
4-week trial for new members only (veg only): $88
4-week trial for new members only (veg + flowers): $120
Checks should be made out to Two Small Farms and sent to PO Box 2065 , Watsonville , CA 95077.
Downloadable PDF Membership Form to complete, print and mail in with your check.
Pick up Site Locations
If you have questions about 2009 sign-up policies, e-mail or call Shelley and Caity in the office (csa@twosmallfarms.com or (831)786-0625). We hope to have room for everybody who wants to join in 2009. But please sign up early so that you can have your spot guaranteed. Thank you for being a part of our CSA community!