CSA FAQ

Do you offer half shares?

Yes, we offer a full share biweekly option for those who feel the full share each week is too much food or they don't have time to pick up each week.

We are no longer offering half shares for folks picking up at the Peoria Riverfront Market. If you can only attend market sometimes, the farm card will give you the most flexibility. 

Simply check the appropriate box when filling out the sign up form.

Do you offer exchanges at pickups?

We offer members who pickup at the Riverfront Market to exchange one item per week. Additionally, exchanges are built in to the shares quite often. Sometimes I give members options such as parsley or dill, potatoes or green beans, and beets or carrots. 

If you'd prefer to have more choice, we'd suggest buying a farm card which can be used at the Peoria Riverfront Market or simply buying the specific items you'd like from us outright at the market. 

Do you have a payment plan?

Yes, we offer a payment plant for East Peoria full share CSAs: $275 at the time of sign up and $275 due by the first pickup. If you sign up after the first pickup, reach out to me and we can work something out. 

We are no longer offering payment plans for members picking up at the Peoria Riverfront Market. 

Above all else, we want our food to be affordable to anyone who desires it. Feel free to reach out if price is an issue; occasionally members want to donate money to subsidize other peoples' shares.

What if I can't make a pickup?

The easiest way is to ask your neighbor or a friend to pick it up for you. But if you contact me a week in advance or more, we can plan to give you a double share on an agreed upon date.

Miss a pickup?

Contact us ASAP if you'd like to pick up your share at the farm. If we don't hear from you 48 hours after your pickup time, your share will be fed to our volunteers, friends, or family.

Who is the CSA model best for?

The CSA model is not for everyone. In the spirit of having everyone on the same page before beginning this journey, you should have an idea of what kind of people the CSA is best for:

1. People who are willing to put in time to cook.

If you already find yourself not eating many vegetables or not cooking very often, you may find it difficult to get through all of the produce in a week. For some, it is a lot of food and sometimes more to cook than one can handle. However, if you love vegetables and to cook you will have no problem getting through your share every week. It all depends on where you're at AND the amount of effort you are realistically able and willing to put in. 

2. People who want to try new vegetables.

​There are some crops we grow that you can't even get in the store. Therefore, I send out e-mails each and every week to help guide members through different items by giving them recipes or information on how to cook them.

Additionally, because every share is seasonal, the items are always changing and you may not always have time to plan your whole week of meals. A willingness to improvise is necessary and will help you get the most out of the experience. 

3. People who simply want to eat healthier.

I've known many friends and family members who desperately look for the next new diet to try next in order to lose weight or feel better. I strongly believe that the real answer is to simply put quality food into your body. That is, food that is grown in healthy soils by someone you can trust. Also, adding more diversity to your diet can help drastically. The CSA is great for giving you the opportunity to add diversity to what is going into your gut.

4. People who want to save money.

CSA members received an average of 20% savings on vegetables compared to shopping at our booth at market.

5. People who are willing to put in a little more effort to achieve maximum benefit from this amazing produce.

Compared to the grocery store, the CSA is not as convenient. You DO have to remember to show up every week. You DO have to be willing to cook more than you might be used to. And you DO have to make a separate trip each week to pick up your vegetables from your pickup location. While this is a small price to pay for all the benefits of eating quality vegetables, it is something that I don't think all members think about upon signing up. 

Again, this list is to bring everyone's expectations to the same place. The CSA model is absolutely fantastic for those wanting to learn more about food, cooking, farming, and themselves. It is also excellent for those who simply like cooking and want some quality vegetables to cook with. If you're unsure whether the CSA is for you, feel free to contact us at downriverfarm@gmail.com for any concerns. Also, feel free to simply continue supporting us at market. For some people, the opportunity to choose what vegetables to buy is worth the extra cost. I think the CSA model is the best way to connect with the extremely fertile soils of Illinois and enjoy some healthy food at the same time!

I'm not yet sure if the CSA is right for me…

That is OK! We ultimately want our customers to be satisfied. For folks who have specific vegetable likes and dislikes, we recommend just purchasing from us at market OR buying a farm card which can be used at market but also will save you some money. Additionally, we offer Weekly Shares which are larger than a CSA share and are delivered to your door.