The Online Farmers Market has been a great way to provide safe, contact-free access to local food products during the COVID-19 pandemic. As it is a brand new program, however, customers are sure to have some questions.
Read below to learn the answers to some frequently asked questions. Don’t see your question? Contact us at [email protected].
When can I place my order?
Orders can only be placed when the customer cart is open. Carts open at noon the Tuesday prior to Saturday 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 of six available pick-up windows. Windows close immediately after they become full.
Ordering closes when capacity of all six windows is reached, or at noon Wednesday.
Why is the order period so limited?
While we understand that the 24-hour order window may be inconvenient for some shoppers, the logistics of this massive weekly operation make it necessary. Our weekly cycle is as follows:
Sunday-Monday: This is the weekend for our Online Farmers Market staff. Farmers update availability during this time and are asked submit requests for new products to be added by 5 p.m. Monday. For some farmers, this is too early to know what they have ready, and they wait until Tuesday morning.
Tuesday: In the morning, our staff is preparing the online ordering system for the order period and putting together customer communications. At noon, the carts open to shoppers!
Wednesday: After carts close (typically at noon, or when capacity is met), our farmers receive lists of all the products they sold. They immediately begin harvesting/baking/packaging/etc.
Thursdays: Some farmers begin dropping off products Thursday afternoon.
Fridays: Farmers continue dropping off products in the morning. From noon to about 5 p.m., our volunteers are packing bags for each customers’ order.
Saturday: Distribution!
We appreciate your understanding and willingness to shop within these restrictions.
Can EBT/SNAPcustomers participate in the Online Farmers Market?
EBT/SNAP Dollars are accepted through the Online Farmers Market! Double Up Food Bucks will also apply. Make sure your “Customer Type” in your profile indicates that you are a SNAP/EBT/WIC customer so you can defer payment when ordering. Plan to pull over in a parking spot indicated during pickup to finalize your payment.
EBT/SNAP customers are not charged the $4 service fee associated with most orders.
Can I pay for my order with Farmers Market Nutrition Program WIC or Senior Nutrition Program checks?
Farmers Market Nutrition Program checks are accepted by certain vendors through the Online Farmers Market! Make sure your “Customer Type” in your profile indicates that you are a SNAP/EBT/WIC customer so you can defer payment when ordering. Plan to pull over in a parking spot indicated during pickup to finalize your payment.
Please note that only food products sold by the following vendors can be paid for with these checks: Buffalo Ridge Orchard, Betty’s Fresh Produce, Calico Farm, Echollective Farm, McClain’s Garden, Olson Garden Market, Squier Squash, Sweet Treats & Heirloom Veggies by Cindy, Trowel & Error Farm and Wasson Produce. When you place your order, you can filter by the attribute “Farmers Market Nutrition Program” to see all of these at once.
WIC/Senior Nutrition Program customers are not charged the $4 service fee associated with most orders.
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.
Why is my order total $4 more than the total cost of products in my cart?
A $4 service fee is automatically added to each order to help Field to Family cover banking fees associated with each order, as well as supplies, staffing and accounting costs. For every payment we process, we pay 2.9% of the total plus 30 cents, and the fee helps ensure that vendors receive the full amount for their products.
This service fee came into effect during week 5 of the online market. Previously, Field to Family encouraged customers to add a $4 donation to their carts to help cover these expenses.
Why does my order status say “UNPAID”?
Field to Family processes payments a few hours after each designated pick-up window to make sure all payments accurately reflect items received. Until that point, orders are designated as “UNPAID” in the online marketplace.
Can I return the tote bag or paper bag I receive with my order for reuse?
Representatives from Johnson County Public Health have said we can encourage reuse of tote bags! To ensure everyone’s safety we will be holding bags for a 7-day period to maintain a healthy environment. Here is how you can return your tote bags for reuse:
1. Bring back any clean reusable tote bag to Robert A. Lee Recreation Center on Fridays between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM. There will be a labeled drop box on the East Side entrance near the loading dock.
2. When you pick up your order on Saturdays, place the totes where you want your order to go in your vehicle.
3. If you bike to pick up your order, we will have a box ready for your totes.
Can I bike or walk to pick up my order?
We support bikers and walkers! If you plan to pick up your order by foot or bike, please enter the ramp from the south, just like the cars, but proceed to the sidewalk along the creek until you get to the designated biker/walker pick-up table. Please bring a face mask to wear if you need to come within 6-feet of a volunteer to communicate.
Do I have to pick up my order during my designated window?
If you are able, please arrive during your designated pick-up window. If you arrive early, your order will likely not yet be at the ramp.
If you are unable to pick up your order, contact us ASAP by calling or texting (319)535-0534 or emailing [email protected]. We are happy to be able to donate unclaimed items to Table to Table for redistribution to those in need.
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 Thursday and Friday. 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 Saturday and notice an item is missing, contact us ASAP by calling or texting (319)214-3509 or emailing [email protected]. It is likely we have the product in storage, and we will ask you to return to the Chauncey Swan Ramp before 12:45 PM to retrieve the item. We may be able to hold frozen items until the following Saturday.
If we cannot find the item or you are unable to return, we can issue a credit to your Online Farmers Market account. We are happy to be able to donate unclaimed items to Table to Table for redistribution to those in need.
When will the in-person market reopen?
The regular, in-person Iowa City Farmers Market was scheduled for July 4 but has been canceled. Field to Family will continue to offer the contact-free Online Farmers Market.