Frequently Asked Questions
The late-season extension of the Online Farmers Market will look somewhat different than the regular season operation. To see what’s the same and what has changed, check out these FAQ’s.
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 will still open weekly at noon the Tuesday prior to Saturday pick-up. Registered customers will get a reminder email soon before carts open.
Before confirming an order, customers need to select one of our available pick-up windows. Windows close immediately after they become full.
Ordering closes when capacity of all windows is reached, or at noon on Wednesday.
How will I pick up my order?
The pick-up location for Online Farmers Market orders has changed. The contact-free drive-thru will now be located in the back parking lot of the Field to Family Food Hub warehouse, 840 S Capitol St. in Iowa City.
You will enter the back parking lot from Benton St. and exit on Capitol St. We will put up signage to help direct traffic. Check out the image below for further guidance.
Why have certain aspects of the late-season online market changed from the regular season?
The regular season Online Farmers Market was a partnership between Field to Family and the Iowa City Farmers Market to maintain access to local foods and farmers for the duration of the regular market season. The regular season ended October 31, and these late-season markets are independent ventures of Field to Family.
Why are prices on some items different than from the regular season?
Since the extended market is an independent venture of the Field to Family Food Hub (no longer a partnership with the city government) our operational costs for these five weeks have increased, while much of the financial support we previously received for this new program is no longer there. We have always added a markup on all of our wholesale Food Hub orders and made the decision to do so for the Online Farmers Market orders as well to make this endeavor sustainable for our nonprofit, similar to what grocery stores do. Yes, the numbers are a bit unusual, but we hope our customers don’t mind.
How many customers can shop each week?
We anticipate being able to serve about 200 to 250 customers/week. During the peak of the regular season, we served about 450 customers/week. This means we may reach capacity early and close the order period before noon Wednesday.
Have the order minimum and service fee changed?
No. The minimum order amount ($15) and service fee ($4) will remain the same as during the regular season in order to support the costs of running the operation.
Can EBT/SNAP/WIC/FMNP customers participate in the late-season markets?
In short, not yet.
During the regular season, the City of Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department handled all EBT/SNAP/WIC/FMNP transactions. Unfortunately, at this time Field to Family does not have the required permissions, training and equipment to complete these transactions. We hope to be able to accept these forms of payment soon and will let customers know if and when this happens.
In the meantime, EBT/SNAP/WIC/FMNP customers may be interested in participating in our Farm Stands program through November. This program distributes free bags of fresh, local produce to Johnson County households experiencing food insecurity. Sign up here.
Why can’t I add a certain product to my cart?
Products are available in limited quantities. As soon as an item is sold out, 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 does my order status say “UNPAID”?
Field to Family processes payments on distribution day 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 I receive with my order for reuse?
Representatives from Johnson County Public Health have said we can encourage reuse of 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 clean, free-from-damage totes and paper bags for reuse:
- Bring back any clean reusable tote bag to 840 S Capitol St. on Fridays between 8am-5pm (please wear a mask).
- When you pick up your order on Saturdays, place the totes where you want your order to go in your vehicle.
- 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! We plan to have a sign on site marking a designated waiting area for bikers and walkers. Please find this sign and a volunteer will assist you as soon as possible. If you must cut through the line of cars to reach the designated area, please exercise caution.
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 be packed away somewhere inaccessible.
If you are unable to pick up your order, contact us ASAP by calling or texting (319) 214-3509 or by email [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 email us at [email protected]. It is likely we have the product in storage, and we will ask you to return to the Field to Family Food Hub 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 donate unclaimed items to Table to Table to be distributed where needed most.
When will the late-season Online Farmers Market end?
The last final late-season market will be on Saturday, December 12.