Rock Lititz Summer CSA Policies & FAQs
What is the Rock Lititz CSA?
The Rock Lititz Summer CSA is an exclusive, member-based program for employees of the Rock Lititz Community. The Summer 2020 Full Share season runs for 22 weeks, from June 4 to October 29. The cost of a Full Share is $440 (minimum order $20/week), which allows members to customize their weekly box or choose a carefully sourced Farm Box of fresh, organic produce from local family farms. Members also have the ability to use their share credits to purchase locally made goods like artisan breads, cheese, dairy products, pastured meats and eggs, and pantry staples. A Half Share option is also available for $220, which runs for 11 weeks from June 4-October 22. Half Shares enjoy the same features of our Full Share, but are delivered every other week. Deliveries are made to your work site on Thursdays between 11:30-3:30.
What is Green Circle Organics?
Green Circle Organics is a local food hub specializing in organic produce and local, handmade, artisan foods. We opened a market stand at the Lancaster Central Market in 2003. Over the past 16 years, we’ve forged relationships with several Lancaster County farmers and farmer’s co ops to bring fresh, organic, local food to our customers. In 2015, we started a produce delivery service, which delivers boxes of fresh produce and other local goods to homes and businesses in Lancaster County.
Are you a farm?
We are not a farm, but instead work closely with local farmers and support farmer’s co ops to source our produce. This helps the farmer stay on the farm, with less time and money spent on marketing and retailing, and more time growing good food. The farms we work with establish their own prices, and we value our working relationships which have, over the years, emphasized fairness, trust, friendship, and transparency.
Who can be a member of the Rock Lititz CSA?
The Rock Lititz CSA is only open to the Rock Lititz Community employees at this time.
Where are the weekly pickup spots located?
Pickups are available at the following locations:
-Rock Lititz Main Campus, Pod 2
-Clair Brothers- 1 Ellen Ave., Lititz
How does the Rock Lititz CSA work?
To sign up, visit our CSA sign up page here. Payments are processed via PayPal (credit/debit cards are accepted even if you don't have a PayPal account) or Payroll Deduction (check to see if your employer participates). The $440/$220 you purchase at the beginning of the season will be available as credit through our online Farm Store. Each week, you’ll have the option of 1) signing in and visiting the Rock Lititz Farm Store to either choose the items you’d like to see in your box or 2) automatically receive our pre-selected Farm Box of seasonal fruits and vegetables. If you’d like to fully customize your box, the Farm Store will feature a variety of in season, local organic vegetables, seasonal fruit, dairy products, eggs and pastured meats, breads, pantry items, and more. You can also choose the Farm Box as is and add on extra items if needed. The online marketplace will be open each week from Thursday starting at 5 p.m. through Monday at 9am for members to sign in and select their items for that week. There is a minimum weekly purchase of at least $20 for a share to be delivered.
What if I don't like or am allergic to a particular item in a box?
Our selection in the Farm Box will change from week to week, and we will choose items that are fresh and interesting and appeal to the widest variety of tastes. However, we understand if you just don't like mushrooms or are allergic to strawberries. If there is an item in the Farm Box that you want to swap out, you can choose to customize your box that week and add only the items you prefer.
What happens if I’m on vacation?
When you log in to your online account, you’ll see an option to place a Vacation Hold. You’ll need to login by midnight the Sunday before your scheduled delivery in order to place your hold for that week. In the event that there are unforeseen circumstances that you need to put your account on hold for a longer period of time, please email us at greencircleorganics@hotmail.com and we’d be happy to help.
If I order dairy, meat or other items that need to be kept cold, how will they be handled?
Items will be kept cold via transport and we will do our best to provide an ice pack in your box. Cold or frozen items should be picked up promptly and refrigerated right away. If you don't have refrigeration available at your work place, we strongly suggest bringing a mini cooler or cold bag with you on the day of your pickup to ensure that these items stay cool until you get home.
Will you reuse bags/boxes?
Yes! Any clean boxes in good shape can be left on Thursdays at your pick up site for us to take back and reuse. We also take back ice packs, paper pint & quart containers, and egg cartons! Our produce bags are bio-degradable, and we try to combine similar vegetables in as few bags as possible to cut down on waste.
What if an item in my box is damaged?
We want you to be absolutely satisfied with the products in your box. If upon pickup you find an item that was damaged during delivery, please contact us and we will issue a credit. However, please note it is the member’s responsibility after the box is picked up to keep fresh produce viable and refrigerated products cold (not stored in a hot car, for instance).
What if certain items in my box become unavailable?
While we will do everything possible to keep items listed in stock, fresh produce is often at the fate of changing weather patterns, blights, bugs, droughts and unforeseen freezes in the fall--not to mention accidental over-predictions from farmers and suppliers, and simple human error. We appreciate your understanding in advance! If an item becomes unavailable before our order deadline, we'll notify you via email with a list of available substitutions. If a last minute substitution needs to be made, we’ll choose a similar item to replace it.
What if I forget to pick up my box?
You’ll get an email reminder the day before pickup reminding you when and where your box is to be picked up. All boxes will be clearly labeled with members’ names for easy identification. It is the responsibility each member to pick up their box and/or cold items or schedule a temporary hold before the order deadline of that week. Unfortunately, we are unable to pickup any leftover boxes at the end of the day, or issue credit for boxes that are accidentally left behind.
What is your cancellation policy?
If you need to cancel your membership before the end of the season, we ask that you email us at greencircleorganics@gmail.com by Sunday midnight before your next scheduled Thursday pickup. Any remaining credits will be refunded through the method with which they were initially purchased.
I was a member of the 2019 Season, and still have a credit on my account. How can I use my balance toward my 2020 Share?
Members who retained a balance from the 2019 season over $1 will see a credit applied to their account before the first delivery on June 4. You must be paid in full for the 2020 season before credit can be applied.
Any other questions? Please email us, and we'd be happy to help!
The Rock Lititz Summer CSA is an exclusive, member-based program for employees of the Rock Lititz Community. The Summer 2020 Full Share season runs for 22 weeks, from June 4 to October 29. The cost of a Full Share is $440 (minimum order $20/week), which allows members to customize their weekly box or choose a carefully sourced Farm Box of fresh, organic produce from local family farms. Members also have the ability to use their share credits to purchase locally made goods like artisan breads, cheese, dairy products, pastured meats and eggs, and pantry staples. A Half Share option is also available for $220, which runs for 11 weeks from June 4-October 22. Half Shares enjoy the same features of our Full Share, but are delivered every other week. Deliveries are made to your work site on Thursdays between 11:30-3:30.
What is Green Circle Organics?
Green Circle Organics is a local food hub specializing in organic produce and local, handmade, artisan foods. We opened a market stand at the Lancaster Central Market in 2003. Over the past 16 years, we’ve forged relationships with several Lancaster County farmers and farmer’s co ops to bring fresh, organic, local food to our customers. In 2015, we started a produce delivery service, which delivers boxes of fresh produce and other local goods to homes and businesses in Lancaster County.
Are you a farm?
We are not a farm, but instead work closely with local farmers and support farmer’s co ops to source our produce. This helps the farmer stay on the farm, with less time and money spent on marketing and retailing, and more time growing good food. The farms we work with establish their own prices, and we value our working relationships which have, over the years, emphasized fairness, trust, friendship, and transparency.
Who can be a member of the Rock Lititz CSA?
The Rock Lititz CSA is only open to the Rock Lititz Community employees at this time.
Where are the weekly pickup spots located?
Pickups are available at the following locations:
-Rock Lititz Main Campus, Pod 2
-Clair Brothers- 1 Ellen Ave., Lititz
How does the Rock Lititz CSA work?
To sign up, visit our CSA sign up page here. Payments are processed via PayPal (credit/debit cards are accepted even if you don't have a PayPal account) or Payroll Deduction (check to see if your employer participates). The $440/$220 you purchase at the beginning of the season will be available as credit through our online Farm Store. Each week, you’ll have the option of 1) signing in and visiting the Rock Lititz Farm Store to either choose the items you’d like to see in your box or 2) automatically receive our pre-selected Farm Box of seasonal fruits and vegetables. If you’d like to fully customize your box, the Farm Store will feature a variety of in season, local organic vegetables, seasonal fruit, dairy products, eggs and pastured meats, breads, pantry items, and more. You can also choose the Farm Box as is and add on extra items if needed. The online marketplace will be open each week from Thursday starting at 5 p.m. through Monday at 9am for members to sign in and select their items for that week. There is a minimum weekly purchase of at least $20 for a share to be delivered.
What if I don't like or am allergic to a particular item in a box?
Our selection in the Farm Box will change from week to week, and we will choose items that are fresh and interesting and appeal to the widest variety of tastes. However, we understand if you just don't like mushrooms or are allergic to strawberries. If there is an item in the Farm Box that you want to swap out, you can choose to customize your box that week and add only the items you prefer.
What happens if I’m on vacation?
When you log in to your online account, you’ll see an option to place a Vacation Hold. You’ll need to login by midnight the Sunday before your scheduled delivery in order to place your hold for that week. In the event that there are unforeseen circumstances that you need to put your account on hold for a longer period of time, please email us at greencircleorganics@hotmail.com and we’d be happy to help.
If I order dairy, meat or other items that need to be kept cold, how will they be handled?
Items will be kept cold via transport and we will do our best to provide an ice pack in your box. Cold or frozen items should be picked up promptly and refrigerated right away. If you don't have refrigeration available at your work place, we strongly suggest bringing a mini cooler or cold bag with you on the day of your pickup to ensure that these items stay cool until you get home.
Will you reuse bags/boxes?
Yes! Any clean boxes in good shape can be left on Thursdays at your pick up site for us to take back and reuse. We also take back ice packs, paper pint & quart containers, and egg cartons! Our produce bags are bio-degradable, and we try to combine similar vegetables in as few bags as possible to cut down on waste.
What if an item in my box is damaged?
We want you to be absolutely satisfied with the products in your box. If upon pickup you find an item that was damaged during delivery, please contact us and we will issue a credit. However, please note it is the member’s responsibility after the box is picked up to keep fresh produce viable and refrigerated products cold (not stored in a hot car, for instance).
What if certain items in my box become unavailable?
While we will do everything possible to keep items listed in stock, fresh produce is often at the fate of changing weather patterns, blights, bugs, droughts and unforeseen freezes in the fall--not to mention accidental over-predictions from farmers and suppliers, and simple human error. We appreciate your understanding in advance! If an item becomes unavailable before our order deadline, we'll notify you via email with a list of available substitutions. If a last minute substitution needs to be made, we’ll choose a similar item to replace it.
What if I forget to pick up my box?
You’ll get an email reminder the day before pickup reminding you when and where your box is to be picked up. All boxes will be clearly labeled with members’ names for easy identification. It is the responsibility each member to pick up their box and/or cold items or schedule a temporary hold before the order deadline of that week. Unfortunately, we are unable to pickup any leftover boxes at the end of the day, or issue credit for boxes that are accidentally left behind.
What is your cancellation policy?
If you need to cancel your membership before the end of the season, we ask that you email us at greencircleorganics@gmail.com by Sunday midnight before your next scheduled Thursday pickup. Any remaining credits will be refunded through the method with which they were initially purchased.
I was a member of the 2019 Season, and still have a credit on my account. How can I use my balance toward my 2020 Share?
Members who retained a balance from the 2019 season over $1 will see a credit applied to their account before the first delivery on June 4. You must be paid in full for the 2020 season before credit can be applied.
Any other questions? Please email us, and we'd be happy to help!