FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions (Please scroll down the page for the answers to these questions.)
How do I become a CSA Member?
What is a CSA?
Why is Community Supported Agriculture important?
I’d like to purchase a full share but $660 is a lot right now. Can I pay weekly?
What if I go on vacation during the season? Can I have a friend pick up my share?
What if I want extra fruit or vegetables?
What if I would like to opt out of the baked good?
What if there is something in the share that I am not particularly fond of?
What if I miss my pick up day?
Can I come on Friday if I miss my Wednesday pick up?

To Become a CSA Member:
Print out the 2012 Summer/Fall CSA Membership Form and the 2012 CSA Agreement. Download the CSA Membership Form and 2012 CSA Agreement.
Send your payment (see Membership Form for prices) and CSA Membership Form signed and dated to:
Terra Bella Family Farm
7637 Foothill Road
Pleasanton, CA 94566
You will receive a receipt via email within 10 business days. Please contact Eileen at terrabellacsa@gmail.com if you do not receive a receipt.
You will then receive a reminder email for your first pick up as the season draws closer.

What is a CSA?
CSA or Community Supported Agriculture, is a way to support a local family farm. In Terra Bella’s CSA, members buy a full share at the beginning of the year for $660 and then are provided a weekly share of produce for 22 weeks during the summer/fall seasons (first week of June to the last week of October). That’s $30 of organic fruits and veggies a week.

We also offer split shares. Members partner with a friend or family member and each pay half of the membership price ($330). Then the partners decide if they will switch off weeks or both come each week and split the produce for that week.

Why is Community Supported Agriculture important? From localharvest.org
• A CSA keeps food dollars in the local community and contributes to the maintenance and establishment of regional food production.
• A CSA encourages communication and cooperation among farmers.
• With a "guaranteed market" for their produce, farmers can invest their time in doing the best job they can, rather than looking for buyers.
• A CSA supports the biodiversity of a given area and the diversity of agriculture through the preservation of small farms producing a wide variety of crops.
• A CSA creates opportunity for dialogue between farmers and consumers.
• A CSA creates a sense of social responsibility and stewardship of local land.
• A CSA puts "the farmers face on food" and increases understanding of how, where, and by whom our food is grown. Who’s Your Farmer?

I’d like to purchase a full share but $660 is a lot right now. Can I pay weekly?
No. Our CSA works since our members are committed to the philosophy of a CSA as stated above. Members may pay for a full share in 2 payments. Members may send in their Membership Form with two checks for $330. One postdated for June 1st. If you need a special payment plan, please contact Shawn at 925-202-8020.

What if I go on vacation during the season? Can I have a friend pick up my share?
Yes! Terra Bella Family Farm encourages members to gift or sell their weekly share to a friend or neighbor if they will be away on vacation. This is a great way to share with your friends and family about eating locally.
However, Terra Bella also offers 2 vacation credits for each full share. When members communicate with Terra Bella 7 days in advance that they will not be able to pick up their share, Terra Bella will mail them a vacation voucher good for $28 of produce at any of our Farmers’ Market stands and at our CSA stand.

What if I want extra fruit or vegetables?
Every week at our CSA stand we have produce that is not part of the weekly share but can be purchased separately. We call these Value Added Items. We also have a Bonus Box or ‘free’ box of produce we have in excess. Members can take as much as they like.

What if I would like to opt out of the baked good?
We offer two share types for our members to choose from. When filling out the 2012 CSA Membership Form, members may choose from a ‘Baked Good Share’ or an ‘Extra Produce Share’. Members who choose a ‘Baked Good Share’ will receive a yummy baked good each week with their weekly produce. Members who choose an ‘Extra Produce Share’ will receive amazing extra produce.
Members are able to switch their share type once during the season with 7 days advance notice. The switch is for the remainder of the season.

What if there is something in the share that I am not particularly fond of?
Each week we have a trade box as well. If you see something in the trade box you would like or there is an item in the actual CSA share you are not fond of, you can trade. Please remember to put something in if you take something out and take something if you put something in.

What if I miss my pick up day?
It is Terra Bella policy that any shares that are not picked up will be donated by noon the following day. Please contact Shawn at 925-202-8020, as soon as you realize you will not be able to pick up so we can arrange an alternate pick up.

Can I come on Friday if I miss my Wednesday pick up?
Unfortunately, no. Our CSA partners with many other organic farms and a bakery. We order produce and baked goods for the number of members that are signed up for that pick up day. We do not have extra shares.

If you have more questions before joining please email Eileen at terrabellacsa@gmail.com or call Shawn at 925-202-8020.