questions & answers
Freshly Inspired Community Supported Agriculture (csa)
what will I get each week?
Your freshly inspired box will vary based on which delicacies are ripe and in season.
In June, typical boxes will delight you with a variety of salad greens, strawberries, herbs, radishes, asparagus, rhubarb and more.
In August, a typical freshly inspired box may contain tomatoes, corn, assorted peppers, peaches, blueberries, summer squash, fresh cut herbs, and eggplant.
The variety continues throughout the fall with over 50 different varieties of apples, fresh pressed apple cider, pumpkins, winter squash, potatoes, and more.
what is HARVIE?
HARVIE is our CSA software platform that we use to manage CSA memberships as well as a tool for you to be able to manage your shares. As a CSA member, you will get an account on HARVIE which allows you to customize what produce items you get in your box from our list of what is currently being harvested from our fields. You can manage other share details with HARVIE such as rescheduling your distribution day or placing a hold on your share if you are out of town. You may also purchase additional items and add them to your share if desired. Learn more about how to use HARVIE here.
can I customize my share?
Yes! With our CSA software platform, HARVIE, you will be able to customize what produce items you get in your box. You will also be able to reschedule or hold your shares if you are out of town. Learn more about setting preferences, swapping items or rescheduling here.
how long is the season?
Our Farmer’s Harvest Membership is 31 weeks. This membership runs during the full harvest season – April – November.
Our Heart of the Harvest Membership is 20 weeks. This membership runs from June – October.
Our Jersey Harvest Essentials Membership is 10 weeks. This membership runs from August – October.
Our Holiday Harvest Membership is 4 weeks. This membership runs during the month of December.
when does our csa program start?
Our Farmer’s Harvest: April 28th to November 30th 2024
Our Heart of the Harvest: June 16th to November 2nd 2024
Our Jersey Harvest Essentials: August 11th to October 19th 2024
Our Holiday Harvest runs for 4 weeks after Thanksgiving: 2024 DATES TBD
can I change my pick-up day?
Certainly. You can change your pick up day by updating your preferences on HARVIE.
can I skip a week?
Yes. You can place a hold on your share to be picked up at later date via HARVIE.
what if I do not know how to use (or even recognize!) the vegetables in my box?
Not to worry! Your weekly newsletter tells you all about the product and its culinary possibilities. Plus, our team loves to answer questions. We’re always available by phone or email, or Facebook. Let us guide you in your culinary journey – throughout the season, we’ll tell you how to prepare each crop in a delicious, family-friendly dish. You can find past recipe ideas on our online recipe index.
how often will I receive a box of produce?
Your harvested delights arrive once a week during any of your preferred seasons. When you register, you will select the day of week based on the location desired.
where will I pick up my box?
You may choose your pick up location when you enroll. Options include:
- Convenient pick up for locals at our Farm Store on Tuesdays or Thursdays.
- Local chapters established in towns throughout Morris, Somerset, Essex, Passaic, Union, and Middlesex counties. Each chapter’s delivery date and pick up time is determined by the chapter host.
- Corporate business chapters. These private chapters are open to employees of our corporate business partners. Delivery dates and times are determined by the designated company chapter host.
- You may request weekly home delivery with an associated delivery fee.
- You may also request to have your box delivered to one of our weekly farmer’s markets near you.
what time can I pick up my box?
Pick up time varies by location and is generally 2 pm – 6 pm
how do I enroll?
You can enroll in one of three ways:
- Visit us at 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester, NJ 07930
- Call us at (908) 879-7189
- Enroll online with HARVIE
We accept cash, checks, Visa, Master Card, American Express, and Discover.
is there a deadline to enroll?
For our Farmer’s Harvest (31 week) and Heart of the Harvest (20 week) memberships there is no deadline to enroll. You can even enroll partway through the season for a pro-rated cost. Sometimes, we may offer incentives to sign up early, so don’t miss out on those timely chances to save.
can I upgrade to a larger sized freshly inspired box?
Yes, if you want more than your current box, you can switch up to a larger box. We make it easy by prorating the cost. You may add items to your weekly share via HARVIE for convenient one-stop shopping.
can I downgrade my freshly inspired box size or cancel for a refund?
No. The cornerstone to any CSA is the idea of a seasonal commitment—both from the farm to you and from you to the farm. If you’re unsure what size box to get, start small as you can always upgrade.
how do I contact the farm?
You may contact us via mail, phone, fax, email, Facebook, and through our website. Our preference is that you contact us in person or over the phone; we love to talk to our customers!
Phone: (908) 258-6245
Email: info@alstedefarms.com
why choose the freshly inspired CSA?
Our 31-week season is the longest and most inclusive CSA program in North Jersey!
Produce is certified organic or sustainably grown and contains more varieties of fruits and vegetables than any other CSA in the area.
Genuinely local, non-GMO
You’re tasting our best efforts, grown here in Chester just for you.
Variety you’ll come back for
It’s the kind of variety you’d expect from a 600-acre farm with 250 different fruits and vegetables.
Come for the veggies, stay for the fruit
Your freshly inspired box includes seasonal homegrown fruits at no additional charge, featuring: strawberries, peaches, blueberries, apples, pears, plums, and much, much more!
Size options
You may choose from 3 box sizes and three seasons to find the best option for you.
Convenient pickup options
You may choose from 2 pickup days at our market, farmer’s markets and many local chapter sites as well as home delivery options.
Corporate partnerships
Share the harvest love at work! We can deliver freshly inspired boxes directly to your workplace. For details, call 908-879-7189.
More flexibility
We allow changes in pick up days. If you need a one-week vacation, we allow a double share on a future date. Share contents are completely customizable with HARVIE.
