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| Frequently Asked Questions |
How much does it cost to join? The share cost for the SICSA will be $505 a share if purchased by April 1, 2008. Shares purchased after April 1 will cost $530. Shares paid after the beginning of the season (if available) will incur a late registration fee of $20; all of the remaining weeks of the season must be paid for at a rate of $24.50 per week. Separate fruit shares will be $180, payable before the first fruit delivery of the season (sometime in July). |
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The SICSA season runs for 22 weeks from June 3 or 10 to October 28 or November 4. |
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Print out and fill out the registration form (in PDF format--click here to download the reader) and mail it to the address on the form with your check or money order. Do not send cash in the mail. You can also register at a SICSA meeting. |
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It is preferred but a payment plan is available. You may work out a payment schedule when you register. It is up to you to make your payments in a timely manner. We cannot send out notices. The entire payment must be received before the member will receive his/her share of produce. |
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How many vegetables will I get each week? This will vary over the course of the season with smaller amounts at the beginning of the season and larger quantities and greater variety and quantity during the late summer and early fall. Each week you will receive 7 to 13 different types of vegetables of varying amounts. Depending on how much vegetables you eat and how many meals you prepare, a share should be enough for a family of three to four people. |
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Organic produce is grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, or ionizing radiation. For more information about organic agriculture, please see the Starbrite farm page on this website the organic links on that page. |
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What kind of vegetables and fruits will I receive? There is no guarantee, but in last year's vegetable share we received: Acorn squash, Arugula, Basil, Beets, Broccoli, Butternut squash, Cabbage, Cantaloupe, Carrots, Cauliflower Chinese Cabbage, Cilantro, Collards, Corn, Cucumber, Dill, Eggplant, Endive, Escarole, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce green leaf, Lettuce red leaf, Lettuce romaine, Lettuce Boston, Onion, Peas, Peppers green, Peppers frying, Peppers hot, Potato gold, Potato red, Potato white, Potted herbs, Radishes, Scallions, Spaghetti squash, Spinach, Strawberries, String beans, Swiss Chard green, Swiss Chard red, Sweet Potato, Tomatoes slicing, Tomatoes grape, Tomatoes plum, Tomatoes cherry, Turnip, Watermelon, Yellow Squash, and Zucchini. The fruit share will consist of 7-8 lbs of fruit for 12 weeks, to include apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, plums and maybe cherries. Fruit season will be from mid to late July to the end of October, although there will be weeks when no fruit will be distributed. The fruit is not organic. |
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I'm not sure what some of those vegetables are, and I'm not sure how to cook or store some of the others. Can the SICSA help me? We have a recipes page, and members regularly share recipes and preparation tips with each other during distribution time and via email and phone. Just ask when you pick up. We also have Veggie Tip sheets, courtesy of Just Food, for 100 vegetables that we will make available to all members. Check the recipe section of this web site for recipes and tips. We also plan to have cooking and food storage and preservation demonstrations during the season. |
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Where is the distribution point? At Christ Church on the corner of Franklin Ave. and Fillmore St., one block south of Richmond Terrace, on Tuesdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The pickup point is in parish hall basement, accessed from the parking lot at the rear of the church on Fillmore. |
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Will I be expected to work at the distribution point? The SICSA requires members to volunteer five hours of their time during the season. Most members spend 2 to 2 1/2 hour shifts helping to unload the truck, set up the distribution table, weigh vegetables and clean up. Some members volunteer their time (usually more than 5 hours over the season) as part of the core group that helps to plan and oversee the SICSA. If you would like to be involved with the SICSA at the decision-making level and have more time and energy to offer, you are encouraged to join the core group. |
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What is the name of the farm and where is it? The farm is an organic farm, Starbrite Farm, Hardwick Township. NJ. More information about the farm and farming practices of the farm is in a separate section of this web site. |
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The past two seasons, we have had a group visit to the farm in October for pumpkin and gourd picking, a hayride, games for children and a potluck brunch. We will plan a farm visit again this season. The farm visit may be in the spring or fall. |
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Are there other SICSA sponsored events? We have had cooking demonstrations and potluck meals in the past. We hope to have similar events this season. |
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Are there any half-shares available? Half shares are not available. If you would like to split your share with a friend or relative, you must make arrangements on your own. However, you may be able to arrange to share with others who you meet at a SICSA meeting. |
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What happens if I cannot make it to the pickup point on time? If you can’t make it on a particular Tuesday, you can arrange with someone else to pick up for you. If you contact the site coordinator or another member in advance, you may be able to make plans to get your share. If you don't make prior arrangements, your share will not be saved for you. It will be donated by the site coordinators to other members, a low-income family, or an emergency food provider. |
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What if I have additional questions? You can e-mail the SICSA coordinator, Lenny Librizzi or call him at 718-727-2941. |
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