FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

What will I get in a share?—an August example
Here is an example of a week’s FULL share in August (The half share gets half of each amount) A full share typically feeds four people, a half share two people. 4lb tomatoes 4 sweet peppers 2 zucchini 3lb potatoes 1lb chard 1lb spinach 2 eggplants 2 bulbs garlic 2 watermelons 2 cantaloupes PYO hot peppers, herbs and flowers

How much food will I get?
A half share is enough food for one or two people, while the full share generally feeds a family of four. You will get enough vegetables to cover most of you produce needs,
but you still may want to supplement fruits and favorite vegetables from your local market. When some foods are at their peak, you may have more then you can use and have quantities for canning or freezing, or just food to share. Our goal is to provide you with a wide variety for weekly use.

Do I receive the same amount of food each week?
No, there are natural ebbs and flows in the growing season. The season will start off with fewer, and lighter weight items like lettuce heads, greens mixes, and strawberries and will then progress to the heavyweights of mid-summer like watermelon, cantaloupes, and peppers. As we move towards fall, the weekly harvest will be even heavier and bulkier as pumpkins, butternut squash, cabbages, sweet potatoes and root crops come in from the field.

Do I pick my own food?
Nearly everything that comes in a share will be harvested, washed, and divided among the shareholders for you. There are always specialty items like flowers and herbs that are “you pick” items that you can pick if you like. Berries are also you pick when they are in season. Currently, strawberries and blueberries are included in the share price. Other berries are available at extra cost.

What happens if I am going to be away during harvest?
You are welcome to arrange for a friend or neighbor to pick up your share for you. We also donate shares to local shelters, just let us know if you would like us to do that when you are away.

What is the cost?
Half share: $395 (about $16 a week, based on a 24 week season)
Full share: $595 (about 25.00 a week, based on a 24 week season)

What about payment?
To reserve a share, please send your completed application from our brochure with payment or a deposit of $50.00 or greater. The application form can also be printed from our web site: www.yourgoodwill.org/farmprogram.htm. Shares should be paid in full by the start of our harvest season in June. We are able to take credit cards for your convenience.

Who benefits?
You benefit by having fresh, in-season vegetables that are grown organically. Our community benefits as we provide jobs for adults with disabilities, cut down on food packaging, reduce fuel waste in transportation, and supporting sustainable land use.

How long does the season run?
The first pick up usually falls during the first weekend of June, and the season will run into mid November. This ranges between 22 and 25 weeks, depending on the weather.

When do I pick up my food?
You may pick up your food any of these days and times each week, whichever day happens to suit you each week.

Our hours are: Thursday, 3 pm to 7 pm
Friday, 11 am to 7 pm
Saturday, 9 am to 1 pm

Is there a work commitment to be a shareholder?
No work is required to be a shareholder in our CSA. If you a special skill or idea to offer, feel free to bounce it off of us. We reserve regular farm work for the participants in the program at this time.

Do I need to bring any supplies when I pick up my food?
We appreciate it if you are able to bring a reusable tote bag or box, but we always provide produce bags, shopping bags and pruners for your convenience.

How will I know how much to take?
Pick up of your share is self-service. You will find trays of vegetables set up, with the quantities for each share size listed. If there is something that you don’t particularly care for, you are not obligated to take it. Most pick your own items are available for personal or immediate family quantities. Please take into consideration how much is available in the field when deciding how much to pick or cut, other shareholders may want some of that herb or flower too.

Can I pick up my share at another location?
No, the food pick up is here at the farm in Millersville. The farm is a tranquil and beautiful place to find food, beauty, community and great experiences each week. You will see where you food comes from and know your farmer.

Where is the farm located?
Goodwill at Homefields is located at 150 Letort Road in Millersville, PA. This is just a few blocks from the Millersville University campus.

How long have you been doing this and why?
We are in our ninth season as a CSA that has training and employing people with disabilities as its core. We sustainably grow over 45 crops and 300 varieties of fruits and vegetables with an emphasis on soil health and nutrition, finding ways to grow healthful food without using chemical fertilizers or pesticides. We are preserving farmland, bringing the community together, and supporting local food systems and economies.

Do you have working shares?
We do not offer working shares.

Do you use chemical fertilizer or pesticides?
No, we do not use any chemical fertilizer or pesticides. Our focus is on healthy soil and plants and we accomplish this through crop rotation, cover crops, beneficial insect habitat, and the use of compost.

Can I donate a share?
Yes, each year shares are donated to various local shelters.

What needs do you have?, I’d like to donate for equipment?
We are in need of a traveling irrigation reel to supply water to our vegetables during the dry times—the cost is about $6,000.

Is this a farm stand, can I purchase items individually?
No, we grow food based on how many members we have each season. We divide the harvested produce each week by how many members we have.

Where can I read more?
www.yourgoodwill.org/farmprogram.htm
www.homefields.org/goodwill

Can I ask a different question?
Sure, just send an email to:
sbreneman@yourgoodwill.org
eswope@yourgoodwill.org
or call: 717-871-3110