Everything you need to know about the 2022 Online Farmers Market Season

 

What is Field to Family’s Online Market?  

Field to Family is a nonprofit committed to food systems education and access to healthy and local foods. We see the online market as an opportunity for customers to take home a deeper understanding of where their food is coming from and why choosing local matters, in addition to their bags full of farm-fresh products. Field to Family’s Online Market enhances access to local food in our community by creating an additional opportunity for consumers and producers to connect. 

When will the 2022 Online Market season begin?

The first order period begins on May 2, 2022. The first drive-thru pickup will occur on the following Thursday! Mark your calendars to start shopping at 8:00 in the morning on Mondays. The cart will be open until noon on Tuesdays.

What has changed from last year? 

We will offer greater variety in quantities for our customers. This year as you shop, keep your eyes out for larger quantities that will in turn provide greater savings. Our drive thru location will no longer be at a parking ramp, but rather along the back side of our warehouse in Pepperwood Plaza. Our vendors have changed a little since last year, but overall you can expect the same names, quality, and variety. Additionally, CHOMP’s support for the Online Farmers Market continues, but with a new process for activation! It will cost 1 CENT & require logging into Chomp’s website.

How do I receive my order? 

• PICK UP THURSDAYS at our new location, behind Pepperwood Plaza, at the Mural, 1049 HWY 6, Iowa City
• ONE CENT DELIVERY on Thursdays (Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty, Hills, Tiffin, Swisher, Shueyville, Solon, West Branch) courtesy of CHOMP Delivery.

What kinds of vendors are participating?  

We are working with 28 vendors to offer a variety of local food and farm products, including: 

• Fresh produce
• Plant starts
• Meat
• Dairy
• Value-added food products like baked goods, tofu, etc. 

 

PLACING YOUR ORDER

 

How and when can I place my order? 

Orders can only be placed when the customer cart is open. Carts open at 8:00am the Monday prior to Thursday pickup. Registered customers will get a reminder email soon before the carts open. Please add [email protected] to your email contacts to help ensure you see this email. 

Before confirming an order, customers need to select one a pick-up windows. Windows close immediately after they become full. Ordering closes when capacity of all windows is reached, or at noon Tuesday.

Why is the order period so limited? 

While we understand that the short order window may be inconvenient for some shoppers, the logistics of this weekly operation make it necessary. Our weekly cycle is as follows:

Saturday/ Sunday-Monday: This is the weekend for Field to Family staff. Farmers update availability during this time and are asked to submit requests for new products to be added by 5 p.m. Sunday.  

Monday: In the morning, our staff is preparing the online ordering system for the order period and putting together customer communications. At 8 AM, the carts open to shoppers!

Tuesday: After carts close at noon, our farmers receive lists of all the products they sold. They immediately begin harvesting/baking/packaging/etc.

Wednesday afternoon: Some farmers begin dropping off products Wednesday afternoon. Field to Family staff pick up from farmers to our north in Cedar Rapids.

Thursday: Farmers continue dropping off products in the morning. From noon to about 5 p.m., our volunteers are packing bags for each customers’ order.

Thursday: Distribution!

We appreciate your understanding and willingness to shop within these restrictions.

Can I use EBT, WIC or SNAP benefits to pay for my food? 

Starting the week of June 7, Field to Family will be able to accept EBT payments at pick-up sites only. Because we must run the EBT cards on site, EBT customers are unable to select the CHOMP delivery option for their orders at this time.

Why can’t I add a certain product to my cart?

Products are available in limited quantities. As soon as an item is sold, it should disappear from the online marketplace. In some cases, one shopper purchases an item at the same time another customer is attempting to add that item to their cart. In this case, the second shopper may be notified that the product is unavailable for purchase.

Why can’t I place my order?

When you confirm your order, you may be directed to update your “location” to another window (one that is not full). If you are unable to select a new window, all order windows are full. Your order must also meet the $10 minimum to be confirmed. 

Why is my order total $5 more than the total cost of products in my cart?

A $5 service fee is automatically added to each order to help Field to Family cover staffing, banking fees, packaging supplies and accounting costs. If this fee prohibits customers from ordering, we will take it off upon request. EBT customers are not charged a service fee. Volunteers are provided a code to take off the service fee when ordering.

CHOOSING ONE CENT DELIVERY

How do I choose the free delivery option?  

Customers will place orders for delivery just as they do for curbside pickup, at orders.fieldtofamily.org.  When placing your order via the Field to Family storefront, you will choose the “Delivery” pickup location option. Here are the steps you need to follow: 

 

1. When placing your order at https://orders.fieldtofamily.org, select Delivery for your location THEN go to CHOMP’s website at https://www.chomp.delivery/r/3292/restaurants/delivery/Field-to-Family-Iowa-City#
2. Enter your address in the box at the top center of the screen. 
3. Click on the Field to Family Delivery on the menu and select a preferred time for delivery between 4 PM and 6:30 PM on Thursdays
4. Click Checkout to proceed with the checkout process
5. Enter F2F in the “add code” box to receive ONE CENT delivery and click continue
6. Enter payment information and add a tip for the driver if you would like
7. Click Add New Phone Number and Add New Delivery Address to enter your information for delivery. 
8. Click PLACE (CHOMP) Order 
9. And that’s it! 1 cent delivery! Thank you CHOMP! 

 

Notes: Delivery sign up on CHOMP’s site needs to be done by the end of each Tuesday for that Thursday’s delivery. 

PICKING UP YOUR ORDER

 

How and where will I pick up my order?  

Customers will pick up their orders at our warehouse this season. Customers will choose a 60-minute pick-up window and drive through the alley to our garage door, with their last name displayed in their car window during that time. A volunteer will bring each customers’ items to their car. 

What do I do if I can’t pick up my order during the pick up window I selected?  

Contact us ASAP by calling or texting (319)855-2649 or emailing [email protected] to let us know if any schedule changes and we strive to accommodate.

Can I return the tote bag or paper bag I receive with my order for reuse? 

Yes!  Here is how you can return your bags for reuse:
1. When you pick up your order on Thursdays, place the totes where you want your order to go in your vehicle.
2. If you bike to pick up your order, we will have a box ready for your totes.
3. If those times don’t work, arrange a time with Field to Family staff

Can I bike or walk to pick up my order? 

We support bikers and walkers! There will be a designated pick-up area for bikers and walkers entering from on site. We will be sure to provide specific instructions ahead of the first market. 

What should I do if an item is missing from my order?

Volunteers and staff work hard to ensure orders are filled correctly, but mistakes do happen. We first check inventory when producers drop off their products Wednesday and Thursday. We update customer invoices to reflect any missing items–you will not be charged for anything a producer does not deliver. 

If you receive your order Thursday  and notice an item is missing, contact us ASAP by calling or texting (319)855-2649 or emailing [email protected]. It is likely we have the product in storage, and we will ask you to return before the end of the market to retrieve the item. We may be able to hold frozen items until the following week.

If we cannot find the item or you are unable to return, we can issue a credit to your Field to Family account. We are happy to be able to donate unclaimed items to Table to Table for redistribution to those in need. 

 

OTHER F.A.Q’s 

 

How can I help? 

• There are numerous ways community members can help this effort along. 
  • Indicate interest in volunteering by contacting [email protected] 
  • Donate to Field to Family
  • Like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram!

Contact [email protected] with inquiries about helping out in any form! 

How can new vendors enroll?

We are seeking vendors who provide specific products that are in demand by customers. Contact Emily Roberts ([email protected]/ 319-855-2649) for more information. 

How is the Online Farmers Market funded? 

Revenue to cover operating costs comes through several channels, including: 

• Fees paid by vendors to participate
• A $5 service fee on every order
• A small mark-up on our offerings
• Sponsors, small grants and your support! 

Field to Family is also seeking grant opportunities to help cover costs, accepts donations from the community and relies heavily on volunteer support to run the market. As a nonprofit, Field to Family aims to generate only enough revenue to cover the organization’s operating costs.