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	<title>FAQ Archives - Field to Family</title>
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	<item>
		<title>Community Supported Agriculture F.A.Q.</title>
		<link>https://fieldtofamily.org/csa-faq/</link>
					<comments>https://fieldtofamily.org/csa-faq/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Julia Poska]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 13 Jan 2021 19:11:46 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dig in]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Info]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CSA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[csa guide]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FAQ]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://fieldtofamily.org/?p=3453</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a growing model of direct-marketing for farmers growing diversified crops. As a consumer/fan of local food, however, you might have some questions about getting involved. Learn more about Community Supported Agriculture below, and be sure to check out Field to Family&#8217;s CSA Guide to explore CSA options in Iowa City, Cedar [...]</p>
<p><a class="btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link" href="https://fieldtofamily.org/csa-faq/">Read More...</a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org/csa-faq/">Community Supported Agriculture F.A.Q.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org">Field to Family </a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h1 style="text-align: left;"></h1>
<h3><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-2729 " src="https://dne.lgu.mybluehost.me/.website_fc07fb88/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_0959-1024x683.jpg" alt="Summer vegetable assortment" width="499" height="333" /></h3>
<p>Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a growing model of direct-marketing for farmers growing diversified crops. As a consumer/fan of local food, however, you might have some questions about getting involved. Learn more about Community Supported Agriculture below, and be sure to check out Field to Family&#8217;s CSA Guide to explore CSA options in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids and surrounding areas.</p>
<h3>What is Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA?</h3>
<p>In the farming community, CSA stands for “Community Supported Agriculture.” In this model, customers make an upfront investment in a farm at the start of the season and receive a weekly share of the farm’s harvest in exchange.</p>
<h3>How does the CSA model benefit farmers and customers?</h3>
<p>CSA farmers benefit from the upfront capital they receive from members at the start of the season. These funds help them pay for seeds, compost, labor, rent and all their other expenses. The farmers know they have a reliable market for the food they’ve grown.</p>
<p>While there are many great reasons to purchase and consume local foods in general, joining a CSA has several additional benefits. CSA members can create personal connections with their farmers, see where their food is grown and become more active participants in their local food system. The nature of the weekly share means a CSA member’s diet will be full of seasonal variety and nutritious produce.</p>
<h3>How long does a CSA &#8220;subscription&#8221; last?</h3>
<p>CSAs are offered during every season of the year, though summer is by far the most popular, with fall not too far behind. Each farm sets its own CSA duration. That being said, a 16-week share from June through September is very common.</p>
<h3>What does a CSA typically cost?</h3>
<p>Joining a CSA requires an upfront investment of several hundred dollars. For a typical 16-week summer share in the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids area, this will often be $400-$500, or approximately $25-$30/week. Every farm sets its own price, however, so be sure to consult individual farm websites.</p>
<p>Some farms offer small or half-size shares for individuals or small families that cost less than their full-sized shares.</p>
<h3>I’m interested in joining a CSA, but it is out of my budget. Are there any options to help low-income households access CSA subscriptions?</h3>
<p>Because CSAs require a large upfront payment, they can be inaccessible to large segments of the community. Many of our farmers care deeply about food access and food justice, however, and provide options to help low-income community members join.</p>
<ul>
<li>Most farms provide low-cost shares to low-income members</li>
<li>Some farms offer work-share options, in which a member can work on the farm a few hours a week to receive a reduced-cost CSA share</li>
<li>Visiting a weekly farmstand or pop-up farm sale can allow you to create a connection with you food/farmer while making a la carte purchases to meet your budget</li>
<li>The <a href="https://www.coralvillefoodpantry.org/veggierx">Veggie RX</a> program, funded by MidwestOne Bank, provides free CSA shares from local farms to customers at several local food pantries.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What does a CSA in Iowa typically contain?</h3>
<p>Iowa CSA shares are vegetable-heavy as a whole, though some seasonal fruit like melon or berries might be included. One notable exception is Buffalo Ridge Orchard, which offers an apple CSA in addition to vegetable shares. There are also flower CSAs in Iowa, which are not included in our CSA Guide at this time.</p>
<p>CSA farmers often team up with other farmers or local food producers to offer “add-ons” to their shares. Some farms might offer the option to add eggs, bread, beer, flowers or other local products to a CSA membership.</p>
<h3>How will I use all that produce?</h3>
<p>By eating with the seasons, trying new things and getting creative in the kitchen! Many farmers include recipes with their CSA shares or in weekly newsletter emails to members, which can provide additional ideas and support.</p>
<p>If your chosen farm does not offer a half- or small-size share but a full-size is too much, you might also consider splitting the share and cost with a friend or neighbor.</p>
<h3>How do I join a CSA?</h3>
<p>Each farm has a different sign-up process. Visiting a farm&#8217;s website will typically provide you with up-to-date information about CSA availability, as well as how to reserve a share.</p>
<h3>How early should I sign up?</h3>
<p>Farmers typically open up enrollment for the season annual in March. Watch for those announcements and sign up as soon as possible. Farms only have limited amount of shares available each season.</p>
<p>That being said, not every farm is on the same timeline. Explore our CSA Guide to learn more about CSA availability in the area.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org/csa-faq/">Community Supported Agriculture F.A.Q.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org">Field to Family </a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
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		<item>
		<title>Late-Season Online Market Vendor F.A.Q.</title>
		<link>https://fieldtofamily.org/late-season-vendor-faq/</link>
					<comments>https://fieldtofamily.org/late-season-vendor-faq/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Julia Poska]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2020 21:11:57 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[hub]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Info]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FAQ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[farmer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[late-season]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Online Farmers Market]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[producer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vendor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[winter]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://fieldtofamily.org/?p=2930</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Here are some FAQs for current or potential vendors interested in participating in the 5-week, late-season,  contact-free Online Farmers Market, a new endeavor of the Field to Family Food Hub.  &#160; What kind of producers can participate in the Online Farmers Market?  Vendors who participated in the Iowa City Online Market 2020 and food hub [...]</p>
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<p>The post <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org/late-season-vendor-faq/">Late-Season Online Market Vendor F.A.Q.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org">Field to Family </a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here are some FAQs for current or potential vendors interested in participating in the 5-week, late-season,  contact-free Online Farmers Market, a new endeavor of the Field to Family Food Hub. </span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">What kind of producers can participate in the Online Farmers Market? </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Vendors who participated in the Iowa City Online Market 2020 and food hub vendors. We may be able to accept new vendors based on logistics and producer agreements. </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">What kind of requirements will there be for Vendors: </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Vendors must sign our </span><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lq6JonWBoaw2Q2dNql1epU54W6jNwobBFC6yRJaGqSc/edit"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Producer Agreement </span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">and be willing to work with our drop times. </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">What products can be offered on the online Farmers Market? </span></h2>
<ol>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fresh or dried fruits, vegetables, starter plants, honey, eggs, meat, dairy and mushrooms. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">We are also offering opportunities for some value-added producers. Items include:</span>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Frozen prepared foods with locally-sourced ingredients (i.e. burritos, kraut, froyo, juice) </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Locally roasted packaged coffee beans</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Infused oils with locally-sourced ingredients</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Food Hub Farmers and Full time seasonal Iowa City Farmers Market vendors only can offer baked goods on the online site. We encourage all baked items to have at least one locally-sourced ingredient.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><b>Baked goods </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">cannot exceed 30% of the total products offered through the online market</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Please inquire for more details if you are a vendor with products not listed above.</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ol>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">What products will not be offered in the online market at this time? </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">No ready-to-serve hot foods. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">No reselling from another farm, unless explicitly approved by market managers.  </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">What food safety requirements are required?</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Vendors must meet all safety and health requirements required by federal, state and county health departments.   </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">What would a week in the hub look like for a vendor? </span></h2>
<ol>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Saturday at 5:00pm to Tuesday by 10:00 am: Upload product to online system </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Monday: Sign up for a time to drop off products by emailing </span><a href="mailto:ben@fieldtofamily.org"><span style="font-weight: 400;">ben@fieldtofamily.org</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wednesday at 2:00 pm:  Receive orders via email </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Thursday from 2:00-5:00pm or Friday from 9:00am-11:00am: Deliver to Hub at 840 S Capitol St. in Iowa City at time selected through communications above.  </span></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ol>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">What are expectations for packaging orders? </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Items must be packaged in new, food grade containers and sorted by unit listed in the online marketplace </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">How do products need to be labeled? </span></h2>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Labels are required for every case delivered to the hub for food safety with at least four things: </span>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Farm Name, Product Name, Quantity and Date</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Labeling requirements vary for different types of products. Please attend training to learn more. </span></li>
</ul>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Is there a limit on how many products a vendor can offer to the marketplace? </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">No, there are no limits. </span></p>
<ol>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ol>
<li style="list-style-type: none;"></li>
</ol>
</li>
</ol>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Can vendor products be refused? </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Product may be refused if it does not meet acceptable quality standards, or is not salable.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Is there an order minimum for customers? </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Yes, $15.00.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Are customers charged a margin or fee on their orders? </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Customers are currently charged a $4 service fee. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Field to Family will add a 25% markup to farmer prices in order to cover our operating costs and staff time. </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">How should vendors price products? </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Vendors price their own products in the online software Local Food Marketplace. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Field to Family asks vendors to follow guidelines in the Iowa City Farmers Market Guide which encourages fair pricing. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Vendors are discouraged from giving produce or other items away for free or at below-cost pricing, thus undercutting and affecting the potential sales of other vendors.” </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">How are vendors paid? </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Vendors will be required to share billing information during orientation and Field to Family will pay by check within 30 days. </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Is there a fee for vendors to participate? </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Field to Family Food Hub Farmers and part-time vendors will be charged $16 per week to participate unless they do not sell at least $100 in goods.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">What extra safety precautions are required for COVID-19?</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Farmers will need to sign up for drop off time to the warehouse and wear masks and gloves when they drop produce. </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">How do customers order?</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Customers can register at any time on orders.fieldtofamily.org </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Customers can order once the cart opens at noon on the Tuesdays prior to a Saturday market. </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">How will Field to Family promote my farm and my farm products? </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Field to Family will put out multiple promotional materials to promote the market and the vendors included in the market. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Interested community members will sign up in the online software and will receive promotional emails, notices when the cart opens and when it closes.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We are looking for other ways to promote your farm and your products offered on the online market. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Customers will receive promotions, food system education handouts and other materials. </span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org/late-season-vendor-faq/">Late-Season Online Market Vendor F.A.Q.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org">Field to Family </a>.</p>
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			</item>
		<item>
		<title>Late-Season Market FAQ</title>
		<link>https://fieldtofamily.org/late-season-faq/</link>
					<comments>https://fieldtofamily.org/late-season-faq/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Julia Poska]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 28 Oct 2020 21:10:33 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Info]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[extended market]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FAQ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[late-season]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Online Farmers Market]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ordering]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://fieldtofamily.org/?p=2905</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>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&#8217;t see your question? Contact us at info@fieldtofamily.org .  When can [...]</p>
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<p>The post <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org/late-season-faq/">Late-Season Market FAQ</a> appeared first on <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org">Field to Family </a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2><a href="http://fieldtofamily.org/online-farmers-market"><img decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-2906" src="https://dne.lgu.mybluehost.me/.website_fc07fb88/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/F2F_Online_Market_logo-4.png" alt="" width="311" height="313" srcset="https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/F2F_Online_Market_logo-4.png 487w, https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/F2F_Online_Market_logo-4-297x300.png 297w, https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/F2F_Online_Market_logo-4-150x150.png 150w" sizes="(max-width: 311px) 100vw, 311px" /></a></h2>
<h2><strong>Frequently Asked Questions</strong></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Read below to learn the answers to some frequently asked questions. Don&#8217;t see your question? Contact us at info@fieldtofamily.org . </span></p>
<h3><b>When can I place my order?</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Before confirming an order, customers need to select one of our available pick-up windows. Windows close immediately after they become full.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ordering closes when capacity of all windows is reached, or at noon on Wednesday. </span></p>
<h3><b>How will I pick up my order?</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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. </span></p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-2910 aligncenter" src="https://dne.lgu.mybluehost.me/.website_fc07fb88/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Winter-Market-Map.png" alt="" width="414" height="465" srcset="https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Winter-Market-Map.png 644w, https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Winter-Market-Map-267x300.png 267w" sizes="(max-width: 414px) 100vw, 414px" /></p>
<h3><b>Why have certain aspects of the late-season online market changed from the regular season? </b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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. </span></p>
<h3><b>Why are prices on some items different than from the regular season? </b></h3>
<p>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&#8217;t mind.</p>
<h3><b>How many customers can shop each week?</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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. </span></p>
<h3><b>Have the order minimum and service fee changed?</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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. </span></p>
<h3><b>Can EBT/SNAP/WIC/FMNP customers participate in the late-season markets?</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In short, not yet. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the meantime, EBT/SNAP/WIC/FMNP customers may be interested in participating in our <a href="https://dne.lgu.mybluehost.me/.website_fc07fb88/farm-stands-2/">Farm Stands</a> program through November. This program distributes free bags of fresh, local produce to Johnson County households experiencing food insecurity. <a href="https://forms.gle/nj8h6urfi6K9KKuY8">Sign up here. </a></span></p>
<h3><b>Why can&#8217;t I add a certain product to my cart?</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Products are available in limited quantities. As soon as an item is sold out, it should disappear from the online marketplace.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p>
<h3><b>Why can&#8217;t I place my order?</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When you confirm your order, you may be directed to update your &#8220;location&#8221; to another window (one that is not full). If you are unable to select a new window, all order windows are full.</span></p>
<h3><b>Why does my order status say &#8220;UNPAID&#8221;?</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Field to Family processes payments on distribution day to make sure all payments accurately reflect items received. Until that point, orders are designated as &#8220;UNPAID&#8221; in the online marketplace.</span></p>
<h3><b>Can I return the tote bag I receive with my order for reuse? </b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Representatives from Johnson County Public Health have said we can encourage reuse of bags! To ensure everyone&#8217;s safety we will be holding bags for a 7 day period to maintain a healthy environment.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here is how you can return your clean, free-from-damage totes and paper bags for reuse:</span></p>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Bring back any clean reusable tote bag to 840 S Capitol St. on Fridays between 8am-5pm (please wear a mask). </span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;"> When you pick up your order on Saturdays, place the totes where you want your order to go in your vehicle.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;"> If you bike to pick up your order, we will have a box ready for your totes.</span></li>
</ol>
<h3><b>Can I bike or walk to pick up my order? </b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Please bring a face mask to wear if you need to come within 6-feet of a volunteer to communicate.</span></p>
<h3><b>Do I have to pick up my order during my designated window?</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you are unable to pick up your order, contact us ASAP by calling or texting (319) 214-3509 or by email info@fieldtofamily.org. We are happy to be able to donate unclaimed items to Table to Table for redistribution to those in need. </span></p>
<p><b>What should I do if an item is missing from my order?</b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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&#8211;you will not be charged for anything a producer does not deliver. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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 info@fieldtofamily.org. 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. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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. </span></p>
<h3><b>When will the late-season Online Farmers Market end?</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The last final late-season market will be on Saturday, December 12.  </span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org/late-season-faq/">Late-Season Market FAQ</a> appeared first on <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org">Field to Family </a>.</p>
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		<title>Food Hub F.A.Q. for Wholesale Customers</title>
		<link>https://fieldtofamily.org/wholesale-faq/</link>
					<comments>https://fieldtofamily.org/wholesale-faq/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Julia Poska]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2020 19:33:49 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[customer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FAQ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[food hub]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[questions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wholesale]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://fieldtofamily.org/?p=2544</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Do you represent an institution in Johnson or Linn County Iowa that prepares and serves food to hundreds of community members daily? If so, read on to learn how the Field to Family Food Hub can help procure more sustainable, healthy and high-quality  local ingredients for your kitchen.  What is a “food hub?” A food [...]</p>
<p><a class="btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link" href="https://fieldtofamily.org/wholesale-faq/">Read More...</a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org/wholesale-faq/">Food Hub F.A.Q. for Wholesale Customers</a> appeared first on <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org">Field to Family </a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-1359 alignleft" src="https://dne.lgu.mybluehost.me/.website_fc07fb88/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/F2F_food-hub-300x300.png" alt="" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/F2F_food-hub-300x300.png 300w, https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/F2F_food-hub-150x150.png 150w, https://fieldtofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/F2F_food-hub.png 576w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p><em>Do you represent an institution in Johnson or Linn County Iowa that prepares and serves food to hundreds of community members daily? If so, read on to learn how the Field to Family Food Hub can help procure more sustainable, healthy and high-quality  local ingredients for your kitchen. </em></p>
<p><strong>What is a “food hub?”</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A food hub serves as a connector between small-scale local farmers and wholesale and direct-to-consumer food buyers. The hub procures and delivers high quality, locally and sustainably grown produce and other local foods in bulk, helping create a stable supply of local produce for buyers and market access for producers. </span></p>
<p><strong>What kinds of products does the food hub distribute? </strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Field to Family Food Hub distributes many varieties of local produce, as well as some dairy products. We hope to start selling meat, honey and other value added products soon. </span></p>
<p><strong>What kinds of customers can buy from the food hub? </strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The food hub primarily serves “wholesale” customers: places that feed many people on a daily or weekly basis. These could be public institutions like schools, universities, hospitals or nursing homes; food access organizations like food pantries; businesses like restaurants or caterers; or any other food service institution. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The food hub also serves individual consumers and households through the Online Farmers Market. <a href="https://dne.lgu.mybluehost.me/.website_fc07fb88/online-farmers-market/">Learn more here. </a></span></p>
<p><strong>What are some benefits of buying local food through the food hub? </strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Local food has many benefits including… </span></p>
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em>Quality:</em> Local food is fresher than food that travels across the country or world to reach consumers. It is harvested and sold at peak ripeness. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em>Sustainability:</em> Local food consumes fewer resources in transportation. The small-scale farmers we partner with generally create less environmental impact than industrial farms and generally utilize fairer labor practices. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em>Economics:</em> Buying local keeps your dollars in the community, helping farmers in the area support their small businesses. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em>Marketing:</em> Today’s consumers care more about where their food comes from and how it was produced than ever before. Show the people you serve that you share their values by preparing meals with locally and responsibly sourced ingredients. We will provide you with the support and resources you need to introduce those foods and farmers to your clientele. </span></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Does the Food Hub profit from sales? </strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Food Hub charges a margin in order to cover our operational costs like delivery and storage. As a non-profit we strive for financial sustainability of this project so we can continue to serve as a connector for local customers and producers well into the future. </span></p>
<p><strong>How does price compare to my regular distributor? </strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Some prices are similar or less than those of larger food distributors while other products are more expensive in order to pay farmers fairly for their labor and inputs. Email giselle@fieldtofamily.org to receive weekly price lists. </span></p>
<p><strong>Does the hub source year round? </strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Yes. While most produce is available seasonally, we work with some producers who use season extension methods to keep items like lettuce available year round. We also source non-produce items like dairy that have no season. </span></p>
<p><strong>How can wholesale customers place an order? </strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wholesale buyers can order from the Field to Family Food Hub three ways: </span></p>
<ol>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ol>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Shop local wholesale products on our online order platform. </span>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Carts open Wednesday at noon to Friday at 10 a.m.</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Email </span><a href="mailto:foodhub@fieldtofamily.org"><span style="font-weight: 400;">foodhub@fieldtofamily.org</span></a></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Call/text Sales Rep Giselle Bruskewitz 224-402-0368 </span></li>
</ol>
</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ol>
<p>The post <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org/wholesale-faq/">Food Hub F.A.Q. for Wholesale Customers</a> appeared first on <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org">Field to Family </a>.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>Online Farmers Market F.A.Q.</title>
		<link>https://fieldtofamily.org/online-farmers-market-faq/</link>
					<comments>https://fieldtofamily.org/online-farmers-market-faq/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Julia Poska]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Jun 2020 14:57:09 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Info]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bike]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[EBT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FAQ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Field to Family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Iowa City Farmers Market]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Missing Item]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Online Farmers Market]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[reusable bags]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SNAP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNPAID]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[walk]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://fieldtofamily.org/?p=2044</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>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&#8217;t see your question? Contact us at [...]</p>
<p><a class="btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link" href="https://fieldtofamily.org/online-farmers-market-faq/">Read More...</a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org/online-farmers-market-faq/">Online Farmers Market F.A.Q.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org">Field to Family </a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://dne.lgu.mybluehost.me/.website_fc07fb88/online-farmers-market/"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-2051 alignleft" src="https://dne.lgu.mybluehost.me/.website_fc07fb88/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/F2F_Online_Market_logo.png" alt="" width="279" height="334" /></a></p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Read below to learn the answers to some frequently asked questions. Don&#8217;t see your question? Contact us at info@fieldtofamily.org.</p>
<h4>When can I place my order?</h4>
<p>Orders can only be placed when the customer cart is open. Carts open at noon the Tuesday prior to Saturday pickup. <a href="https://orders.fieldtofamily.org/">Registered customers</a> will get a reminder email soon before the carts open. <em>Please add info@fieldtofamily.org to your email contacts to help ensure you see this email. </em></p>
<p>Before confirming an order, customers need to select one of six available pick-up windows.  Windows close immediately after they become full.</p>
<p>Ordering closes when capacity of all six windows is reached, or at noon Wednesday.</p>
<p><a class="lv-btn lv-btn--dark-transparent lv-btn--small mt-2" href="https://orders.fieldtofamily.org/">Sign Up</a></p>
<p><strong>Why is the order period so limited? </strong></p>
<p>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:</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Sunday-Monday:</strong> 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.</p>
<p><strong>Tuesday: </strong>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!</p>
<p><strong>Wednesday: </strong>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.</p>
<p><strong>Thursdays:</strong> Some farmers begin dropping off products Thursday afternoon.</p>
<p><strong>Fridays: </strong>Farmers continue dropping off products in the morning. From noon to about 5 p.m., our volunteers are packing bags for each customers&#8217; order.</p>
<p><strong>Saturday: </strong>Distribution!</p>
<p>We appreciate your understanding and willingness to shop within these restrictions.</p>
<h4>Can EBT/SNAPcustomers participate in the Online Farmers Market?</h4>
<p>EBT/SNAP Dollars are accepted through the Online Farmers Market! Double Up Food Bucks will also apply. Make sure your &#8220;Customer Type&#8221; 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.</p>
<p>EBT/SNAP customers are not charged the $4 service fee associated with most orders.</p>
<h4>Can I pay for my order with Farmers Market Nutrition Program WIC or Senior Nutrition Program checks?</h4>
<p>Farmers Market Nutrition Program checks are accepted by certain vendors through the Online Farmers Market! Make sure your &#8220;Customer Type&#8221; 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.</p>
<p>Please note that only food products sold by the following vendors can be paid for with these checks:  Buffalo Ridge Orchard, Betty&#8217;s Fresh Produce, Calico Farm, Echollective Farm, McClain&#8217;s Garden, Olson Garden Market, Squier Squash, Sweet Treats &amp; Heirloom Veggies by Cindy, Trowel &amp; Error Farm and Wasson Produce. When you place your order, you can filter by the attribute &#8220;Farmers Market Nutrition Program&#8221; to see all of these at once.</p>
<p>WIC/Senior Nutrition Program customers are not charged the $4 service fee associated with most orders.</p>
<h4>Why can&#8217;t I add a certain product to my cart?</h4>
<p>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.</p>
<h4>Why can&#8217;t I place my order?</h4>
<p>When you confirm your order, you may be directed to update your &#8220;location&#8221; to another window (one that is not full). If you are unable to select a new window, all order windows are full.</p>
<h4>Why is my order total $4 more than the total cost of products in my cart?</h4>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p>
<p>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.</p>
<h4>Why does my order status say &#8220;UNPAID&#8221;?</h4>
<p>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 &#8220;UNPAID&#8221; in the online marketplace.</p>
<h4><strong>Can I return the tote bag or paper bag I receive with my order for reuse? </strong></h4>
<p>Representatives from Johnson County Public Health have said we can encourage reuse of tote bags! To ensure everyone&#8217;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:</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>2. When you pick up your order on Saturdays, place the totes where you want your order to go in your vehicle.</p>
<p>3. If you bike to pick up your order, we will have a box ready for your totes.</p>
<h4><strong>Can I bike or walk to pick up my order? </strong></h4>
<p>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.</p>
<h4>Do I have to pick up my order during my designated window?</h4>
<p>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.</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you are unable to pick up your order, contact us ASAP</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> by calling or texting (319)535-0534 or emailing info@fieldtofamily.org. We are happy to be able to donate unclaimed items to Table to Table for redistribution to those in need. </span></p>
<h4><b>What should I do if an item is missing from my order?</b></h4>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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&#8211;you will not be charged for anything a producer does not deliver. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you receive your order Saturday and notice an item is missing, contact us ASAP by calling or texting (319)214-3509 or emailing info@fieldtofamily.org. 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. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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. </span></p>
<h4>When will the in-person market reopen?</h4>
<p>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.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org/online-farmers-market-faq/">Online Farmers Market F.A.Q.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://fieldtofamily.org">Field to Family </a>.</p>
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