Shopping & Order Pickups

Can I just show up to shop? Yes. We are a retail farm market with a CSA option. You are welcome to browse and shop our seasonal selection during our posted Business Hours. No appointment is necessary for standard retail shopping.

How do I place a Bulk, Wholesale, or Online Order? Because we harvest specifically for your request, all specialized orders require a minimum 24-hour notice.

If you are interested in wholesale, please read stefanfarms.org/bulk-and-wholesaleguide

• The "Pick & Pack" Process: We are a working farm, not a warehouse. We do not keep bulk orders sitting on shelves; we harvest and pack them specifically for your appointment to ensure maximum freshness and protection from the weather.

• The Confirmation Rule: An online order is not "Ready for Pickup" until we have personally spoken. We will contact you (usually by phone) to confirm the details and schedule a specific pickup window that works for both of us.

• The Tech Gap: When we are in the field or at the market, we are not monitoring the computer. Please do not head to the farm until we have confirmed your order and time slot.

Do you offer shipping or delivery? No. We do not ship or deliver. All items must be picked up at our farm market location. We are not staffed for logistics beyond our farm gate.

Website Ownership & Inventory Disclaimer

Who manages the website? I, Susanne, handle all website operations personally. This allows me to make real-time adjustments to our inventory and availability as the harvest changes.

• Credit & Responsibility: This site is a direct reflection of our farm. While I strive for 100% accuracy, I am limited by the "time-space" reality of running a farm.

• The "Live Inventory" Disclaimer: Because our harvest is seasonal and moves fast, website updates may occasionally lag behind the physical reality of the market tables. All items are subject to "First-Come, First-Served" availability. Most of the time it is exactly right.

• Feedback: If you find a broken link or have a suggestion for improvement, please let me know. If the site serves you well, I’d love to hear that, too.

Market-Only Exclusives: Not all of our harvest is listed online. Limited-run and highly seasonal items are available exclusively at our market tables on a first-come, first-served basis. These "Table-Only" items are separate from pre-paid orders and are available for cash purchase only.

Pricing Integrity and Negotiations

Are your prices negotiable? No. Our already low prices are fixed and do not even reflect the high cost of sustainable, non-GMO farming and quality labor. To ensure fairness for all customers and the farm's survival, we do not negotiate or "haggle" over prices.

We understand the game and satisfaction of obtaining a discount by challenging the original pricing. This is acceptable in an environment where this is expected, because you will always end at the price the seller has set, only it starts at a higher pricepoint in anticipation of the haggle. We are NOT that environment, nor do we have the time, inclination, or energy. Here is the deal:

• Variable Pricing: Prices may vary based on size, weight, or seasonal availability. All such adjustments are made at the sole discretion of the farm.

• Inquiries vs. Demands: You are welcome to ask if there are any current sales or "Market-Only" specials. However, we do not honor demands for lower prices or unauthorized discounts.

• Food Insecurity: We are committed to keeping healthy food accessible. If you are experiencing true food insecurity, please speak with us privately. We prefer to handle these situations with dignity and directness rather than through public negotiation.

What are my payment options?

Payment & Pricing Policies

We prefer cash. As a minimalist-alternative farm, we do not build third-party processing fees into our base prices. This allows us to keep our high-quality, non-GMO produce affordable for everyone.

1. In-Person Payments (Cash & SoliMarket)

• Cash: The most efficient way to support the farm. Cash transactions qualify for "Market-Only Specials" (e.g., our 6-for-$6 corn special), which are not available online.

• SoliMarket (FMNP/WIC/SNAP): We scan your QR code in-person only. SoliMarket benefits cannot be processed through our website. You are welcome to "window shop" our online inventory to see what is in season before visiting.

2. Digital Payments (Credit/Debit/Apple Pay)

• Where: These must be completed via stefanfarms.org on your own device.

• Point of Sale: We do not have a physical card reader (POS) at our stands.

• Pricing: All digital transactions are processed at the Standard Website Price. Please note that "Market-Only" cash discounts and flash sales do not apply to website orders.

3. Why This Matters

It is illegal to "tack on" a separate processing fee at the finish line, so we don't. Instead, we offer deep discounts to those who use cash. This ensures we don't lose our thin margins to credit card companies, and you get the best possible price for healthy food.

Returns, Exchanges, and Quality Policy

Can I return or exchange an item? No. All sales are final. Because we deal with perishable food, we cannot accept returns once an item has left our supervision. This is a matter of food safety and health regulations.

1. Inspection at Time of Purchase

We encourage you to inspect all items before leaving the stand.

• If you notice a discrepancy: Please bring it to our attention immediately. We will do our best to replace the item (if available) or offer an equivalent value in another product.

• The "No Money Back" Rule: We do not offer cash refunds. Any resolution is at the farm’s discretion.

• Timing: Issues must be raised at the time of pickup or immediately upon discovery. We cannot address quality concerns for items purchased days or weeks prior, as storage conditions are out of our control.

2. Bulk & Canning Orders

When you purchase bulk produce for preserving (canning/freezing), we coordinate a pickup time that ensures the vegetables are in their prime.

• Your Responsibility: High-quality produce must be processed immediately. We are responsible for the quality at the time of pickup; we are not responsible for losses due to delayed processing or improper home storage.

• Canning Safety: We are not responsible for the outcome of your home preservation. Issues like "exploding jars" are a result of canning technique, not produce quality. For safe practices, we strongly recommend the National Center for Home Food Preservation.

3. The "Break It, Buy It" Rule

We are generally easygoing, but we must have clear boundaries for significant damage:

• Minor Incidents: A broken carrot or pepper is usually not an issue.

• Major Incidents: If you drop or damage high-value items (Watermelons, Pumpkins, Eggs, or full crates), you are responsible for the cost.

• Post-Purchase: If you drop or damage an item after you have paid for it, it will not be replaced.

Allergen & Cross-Contact Notice (The "Safety First" Version)

Is your produce allergen-free? We operate a diverse working farm and an open-air market. Because our products are grown, harvested, and displayed in a shared environment, we cannot guarantee a 100% allergen-free experience.

• Cross-Contact: Produce may come into contact with various allergens via environmental factors, or public contact at display tables.

• Customer Responsibility: If you have a severe or life-threatening allergy, please exercise caution. Your safety is your responsibility.

• Life-Threatening Allergies: If an allergy is severe enough that simple cross-contact is a hazard, we recommend against purchasing from an open-market environment. We reserve the right to refuse service if we believe we cannot safely accommodate a specific medical risk.

• Assistance: If you have concerns, please talk to us. We are happy to personally handle and bag items for you to minimize public contact.

General Order Pickup Policy

When you place an order for pickup, we harvest and prepare those items specifically for you. Because produce is perishable and our schedule is tight, we adhere to the following rules:

1. Unpaid Orders ("Pay at Pickup")

• Deadline: If an order is not paid for and collected by the end of the scheduled pickup day, it is canceled.

• Future Orders: Customers who fail to pick up an unpaid order will be flagged in our system. Any future orders from these individuals will require mandatory prepayment via the website. We will not "hold" harvest for repeat no-shows.

2. Pre-Paid Orders (Website Sales)

• Deadline: Orders must be collected on the scheduled day.

• Non-Refundable: If a pre-paid order is not picked up, it is canceled and forfeited. Because the items were harvested, cleaned, and held specifically for you—making them unavailable to other customers—we do not offer refunds or "make-up" pickups.

3. Communication & Reminders

As a courtesy, we usually attempt to call or text you to remind you of your pickup. However, the responsibility to collect the order lies entirely with the customer.

Summary: Regardless of payment status, a scheduled pickup is a firm commitment. If you cannot make it, please send someone in your place and inform them of the payment status of the order.

Ordering & Pickup Logistics

How do I place an order? Our process is simple, but it requires direct communication. To ensure your harvest is fresh and ready when you arrive, follow these steps:

• The Order Details: You must specify what you want, how much of it you need, and the specific day/time you intend to pick it up.

• Call to Confirm: As of November 2025, we no longer use Calendly for scheduling. To place an order, you must call us. If we cannot answer, leave a message with your phone number.

• The Confirmation: An order is only considered "placed" when we have spoken with you or called you back to confirm. This ensures we can actually harvest what you need in the timeframe you want.

• Standard Pickup: The default pickup location and time is our next in-person Farmstand market. Any pickups outside of these hours must be discussed and agreed upon during our confirmation call.

Why the change? An automated scheduling tool cannot tell us what you want to pick up. We harvest to order; without knowing the "what" and "how much," we cannot have your harvest ready. This minimal amount of communication ensures that when you arrive, your order is there, and we can reasonably assume you are coming to get it.

A Note on Our Scheduling Tools

Why is the "Schedule Here" link still on the site? The Calendly system was a vital tool during the pandemic—it allowed us to manage the chaos when everything was uncertain. We keep it integrated into the site today for the same reason you keep an emergency kit in your vehicle: Readiness.

• The "Standby" Mode: While we do not currently open time slots for standard orders, the system remains "ready to go" in under 10 seconds.

• Future Use: Should circumstances change or a specific event require automated scheduling, we can reactivate it instantly.

• The Current Standard: For now, it stays ‘in the shed’. All current orders and pickups must be handled via the Phone-First method described above.

Updated Ordering Clause (The "No Ghosting" Rule)

Why we use the phone: We have found that automated tools often lead to "ghost" appointments—slots filled with no information, no return calls, and no responses to emails. We harvest specifically for you; we cannot "guess" your order.

• Communication is Mandatory: If we cannot reach you at the number provided to confirm "what" and "how much," your order does not exist.

• The Deletion Policy: We reserve the right to cancel any unconfirmed or incomplete requests. If a lack of communication leads to a cancellation, that is a logistical necessity, not a personal slight.

• The Goal: We want to ensure that when you show up, your food is waiting. That requires a two-minute phone call, not a digital guessing game.

Recipes & The Path to Self-Sufficiency

Do you provide weekly recipes? We do not provide "boxed-kit" style weekly recipes. Tastes and pantries vary too much for a one-size-fits-all approach. Furthermore, with the entire internet at your fingertips, we feel it is limiting to offer only one or two options for such a versatile harvest.

• Resources Provided: We have curated an Herb & Food Benefits page and a Favorite Recipes page, which includes cooking and baking instructions as well as essential Safe Canning links.

• The "Adventure" Factor: Beyond the harvest, we are 100% available to discuss the "how-to" of what we do. Whether it is canning, baking, soap-making, herbal medicine, or cosmetics, we are happy to share our knowledge.

• The Warning: Engaging with these skills is a starting point for a new adventure in self-sufficiency. Be warned: these hobbies are fun, potentially addicting, and may change the way you look at a grocery store forever.

Have a favorite? If you have a blogger or a specific recipe that worked wonders with our produce, share it with us. We are happy to pass the knowledge along to the rest of the community. However, we do respect copyright, so if it is something from a subscription or a printed book, we will not share this. This said, I often find that somewhere there are usually very similar public sources. At this point, we can safely assume that most things have been explored. But we still respect things worth respecting.

CSA Enrollment & Payment FAQ

When can I sign up? Enrollment for our Summer and Fall shares opens when they appear in our Online Farm Store.

• The "Early Bird" Benefit: We typically offer Summer Shares for the following year at a significant discount starting in October. The earlier you commit, the better the value.

• Rolling Enrollment: If a CSA has already started, we may be able to accommodate new members depending on the harvest and current capacity. This is ideal for those who have recently moved to the area or have only just discovered the farm.

How do I sign up and pay?

1. Choose Your Size: Select between a Half, Full, or Fall share.

2. Contact Us: Let us know your choice in person or via the website.

3. Payment Methods:

   • Cash or Check: Always appreciated and our preferred method.

   • Digital: Available via the Farm Store page (Credit/Debit/PayPal).

What if shares are not listed online? If you don't see shares listed, or if they appear "Sold Out," please contact us directly.

• The Waitlist: We maintain a waitlist and will notify you immediately if a spot opens up.

• Custom Openings: Under certain circumstances, we may be able to open an additional unit if the harvest allows.

CSA Pickup: One Share, One Primary Member

To maintain the flow of our Market-Style system and ensure fairness to all members, we operate under a Single-Point-of-Contact rule.

• The "One Bag" Rule: Each CSA membership is processed as a single transaction. All items selected for that week’s share must be placed into one single bag/container.

• Primary Member Responsibility: While you may have a friend or neighbor "split" the cost with you privately, only one person is the registered "Primary Member" for the farm’s records.

• Who Can Pick Up: You may send an alternate person to pick up your share, but we only allow one pickup per membership per week. We do not "split" a single share into two separate pickup times or two separate shopping experiences.

• On-Site Conduct: If two people come together to shop a single share, they must shop as a single unit. We do not allow "side-by-side" negotiating or splitting of items at our display tables.

Our Position: What you do with your vegetables once you leave the farm is your business. On-site, however, we only recognize and process one share for one member.

What happened to your Quarter Share? What happened to the prices?

The simple answer is, we finally fixed our CSA after basically giving it away, especially when it was also purchased online (fees)

We knew that for some time, but did not want to upset or lose anyone. But there comes a point when reality demands to stop selling at a loss. Things have changed drastically on many levels, and for us too, survival is something of interest. Our operating costs are tied to corporations - you know the story. We keep your cost as low as possible, and often help out where needed. But essentially, ONLY the Name of the share has changed. Same size. The price has been adjusted closer to its actual value.

The Quarter we invented was the size of everyone’s Half Share all along, only we did not know that. It started with a Custom share - a favor - It was a good idea at the time …. only, not really.

And since everyone found the Quarter of this size “just right”, we don’t need the Quarter. Since then, others are offering samplers and quarters, but it’s not what we had. They most of the time pre-pack (good idea too), we do not. But I guess “imitation is the greatest compliment.”

Our Market-style pickup is also unique since there is no fixed amount of items you can take. The only time we limit something is to make sure everyone gets something. If there is not enough for everyone, these things will be for sale only. But generally, there is lots of abundance and you take what you want- within reason and your share’s size.

We still do offer Custom Shares if you feel that Half or Full does not meet your needs. Contact us to inquire.

Our "Grown Here" Guarantee

Do you grow your own produce? Yes. This is the foundation of our farm and the only good answer.

How do you define "Local"? While big-box retailers and regional newsletters may define "local" as anything within a few hundred miles, we adhere to a stricter standard.

• The 10-Mile Reality: Our produce is grown right here. Our 10 mile reality is if the name of the town in which things are grown and sold does not change, if a truck forever threatening to quit manages yet one more last ride, and the farmer could walk home if he had to.

• Transparency & Partners: Sometimes we feature products from local farmers whose work we respect. We are 100% transparent about these partnerships:

  • Honey: Produced by Ralph Mosher in Bloomfield. Only available if you see it on the website.

  • Fruit: Periodically sourced from Doug Bussa in Glastonbury.

• The Rule: If we didn't grow it, we will tell you exactly who did. We believe the person who put in the work deserves the credit.

Wholesale : Please read stefanfarms.org/bulk-and-wholesaleguide

Concerns & Resolutions

Talk to us first. If you have a concern or a complaint, we ask that you bring it directly to us. We appreciate the opportunity to address any issue—whether it is a genuine error or a misunderstanding—and correct it immediately.

• Direct Resolution: We are a small, independent operation. We expect our customers to act with the same transparency we provide. Taking a grievance to a public forum or a third party without first attempting a direct resolution is unnecessary and counterproductive.

• Administrative Integrity: Initiating a formal credit card dispute for a correctly charged item (regardless of the amount) creates an administrative burden that outweighs the monetary value. This is why no more POS ….

• Refusal of Service: We prioritize relationships built on mutual respect. We reserve the right to refuse future service to any individual who chooses to engage in harmful behavior, gossip, or "shady" dispute tactics instead of a direct conversation.

Our Goal: We work hard to ensure our customers are satisfied and enjoy returning to the farm. Honest communication and respect are the only way to achieve that.

What is CSA Risk?

1. The Seasonal Harvest (Risk & Reward) A CSA is a seasonal partnership. Your membership fee is an upfront investment that allows the farm to plant the season's crops.

• The Reward: Members receive priority access to the harvest. Please note that share volume scales with the season: initial spring pickups are typically lighter, with volume increasing significantly as the main summer and fall harvests peak.

• The Risk: Agriculture is subject to weather. While we prioritize CSA shares, we do not offer refunds or credits for crop fluctuations.

2. Pickup & Attendance We harvest specifically for the number of shares scheduled.

• The "Next-Visit" Make-up Rule: If you notify us 24 hours in advance that you will miss a pickup, you may collect your missed share the very next time you visit the farm. Make-ups cannot be "saved" or "banked" for later in the season.

• No-Shows: Failure to communicate results in a forfeited share. Our Sign-In Sheets are the final authority on attendance. If you did not sign in or notify us, that week’s share is closed.

• Alternative Pickup: You may send a friend to collect your share. They must identify themselves and adhere to the One-Household rule.

3. Household Units & Market Choice To ensure fairness, each CSA share is limited to one household unit. All items must be processed in a single transaction and fit within the designated container.

4. Binding Agreement By purchasing a share, you agree to these terms. We require a signed copy of this policy on file before your first pickup.

3. Pricing & Spontaneous Sales

We "man and woman" all aspects of this farm ourselves. Because we are in the field and at the market, the following rules apply:

• Real-Time Inventory: Limited quantities (e.g., the last 10 of an item) will not be listed on the website to avoid the "messy" situation of double-selling. These are Table-Only Exclusives and are often Cash Only.

• Price Changes: We reserve the right to change prices without notice.

• The "Limited Window" Rule: Sales are spontaneous and based on immediate ripeness or inventory. A sale price is only valid at the moment it is offered. If you miss a sale, it cannot be assumed or demanded at a later time.

But if you stop by when we’re open, it’s there, and yours. You are always welcome to check in and ask about something.

Genuine Reviews & Feedback

What are people saying? Reviews are a helpful way to understand how others experience our harvest. However, we are aware of the "shady stuff" prevalent in online ratings—purchased reviews and rewarded "stars" are common. Ours are 100% genuine. We do not offer rewards, discounts, or incentives for feedback.

• The Reality of Ratings: You may see the occasional random four-star rating on Google from a user who "plopped" stars on a hundred different businesses. We don't chase these down; we prefer to keep it real.

• The Silent Majority: We know that many of our happiest customers don't leave reviews. They are busy enjoying the food.

• Your Contribution: If you appreciate what we do and how we do it, we would be grateful if you shared your experience. It helps other people find us and helps our farm grow.

Where to find us:

Google

Yelp

Local Harvest

Facebook

Farm Safety: Animal & Pet Policy

Can I bring my dog or pet to the farm? No. For the safety of our crops, our livestock, and our customers, we maintain a strict No Pets policy. As a working farm, we must adhere to federal Food Safety (FSMA) regulations that prohibit domestic animals in produce-handling areas.

1. Service Animals (The Only Exception)

Under the ADA, only dogs specifically trained to perform a task for an individual with a disability are recognized as Service Animals.

• Conduct: A service animal must be under the handler's control (leashed or tethered) at all times.

• The "Nosing" Rule: No animal is permitted to touch, sniff, or be near the produce displays. If a service animal behaves in a way that compromises food safety or disrupts the farm (barking, lunging, or lack of control), the owner will be asked to remove the animal from the premises immediately.

2. Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) & Therapy Pets

ESAs and Therapy Pets are NOT Service Animals. They do not have public access rights under the ADA and are not permitted on the farm. We do not make exceptions for "well-behaved" pets or small "purse dogs."

3. Why This Is Firm

• Sanitation: This is a food production site.

• Space & Safety: Not all customers are comfortable with dogs, and narrow paths at the stand must remain clear for foot traffic and safety.

And "Good to Know” to answer the question “Can they do that?” - Yes, we can. Please read

Please also check our Return Policy and all that, it’s all “good to know” Thank you. And yes, we really are doing our very, very best to make everyone happy and satisfied and wanting to come back. But, things happen, and we have to talk about it. Preferably before it happens.