What is the Monthly Meat Membership?
CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. It’s a concept that originated in the 70’s as a way for a community to support a farmer at the beginning of the season (when the expenses and risk are high, but sales are low). In return for their support, or subscription in the farm, each member of a CSA receives a share of the harvest throughout the season.
What do I receive as a CSA member?
Check out this page to read the share descriptions and choose the right option for your household.
How much does it cost?
Check out this page to read the share descriptions and choose the right option for your household.
Why are your prices higher than what I am used to seeing at a chain grocery store?
We’re not in the business of banging people over the head with data, stats, or stories about conventional meat. Rather, we’re here to offer the highest quality, humane and ecological meat we can for those who have already been converted. Simply put, our prices are higher for the following reasons:
- Moving animals regularly on pasture while ensuring that they are safe, fed, and watered is challenging and labor-intensive
- Our local, GMO-Free feed is more expensive than conventional feeds
- We price our products to be profitable for (us) the farmer and livable for the farm workers
Here are three resources we have found recently that tell the story of the “hidden cost” of conventional meat and/or the real cost of good meat.
1.) Breaking Down the Costs of Pastured Poultry, Center for Environmental Farming Systems
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3.)
Do I have to pay for my share all at once?
We have gone to great lengths to make our CSA as affordable and convenient for our members. Instead a lump payment at the beginning of the season, members have the option of setting up recurring payments (on a credit card form) or sending us post-dated checks (on our check form). Important note: though we break the payment into monthly installments, this does NOT mean that our CSA is a month-to-month commitment. See next question.
How much am I paying for processing fees if I sign up using a credit card form?
The third party we use to manage our subscriptions charge a rate of 2.9% + $.30 per transaction, which means this is the rate you are charged each time a recurring payment is made. We have adjusted the prices on all of our credit card forms to reflect these fees. If the convenience is not worth the cost for you, fill out the check forms and pay with a one-time check or post-dated checks.
Your card will automatically be charged for the first installment as soon as you place your order. After that, charges will proceed the 1st day of the following 9 months (you will receive an email notification each time). CSA distribution will not begin until April. Therefore, as an example: if you complete your order in February, the first two installments of your subscription will be charged before distribution begins. But not to worry, your subscription will end after 9 months no matter what time of year you subscribe.
How do I set up a payment plan by writing post-dated checks?
We prefer members to make recurring payments in monthly installments, even if they are paying via post-dated checks. Simply send us a stack of checks for the monthly amount of your share, post-dating them 4/1 through 12/1. We will deposit each check at the beginning of the corresponding month.
Can I cancel my subscription at any time?
Short answer, No. In keeping with the spirit of CSA, we ask all members to sign a covenant that says they are committed to our farm through the season. We understand that sometimes major life events happen that make it too difficult, or impossible, for members to follow through on their covenant. We are willing to make accommodations in those extreme circumstances.
Where and when do I pick up my share?
The CSA season will begin in April and end in mid-December. We will notify you sooner to the start date with pick-up details.
- Durham: Wed. 5-8 p.m., Duke Memorial United Methodist Church, 504 West Chapel Hill St., Durham, 27701
- Chapel Hill (northern option): Wed. 5-8 p.m., Orange United Methodist Church, 1220 Martin Luther King. Jr. Blvd., Chapel Hill, 27514
- Chapel Hill (southern option): Wed. 5-8 p.m., Binkley Baptist Church, 1712 Willow Dr., Chapel Hill, NC 27514
- Hillsborough: Thurs. 5-8 p.m., First Baptist Church of Hillsborough, 201 W. King St., Hillsborough, 27278
- Efland: Thurs., 5-8 p.m., Efland United Methodist Church, 3418 Highway US-70, Efland, NC 27243
- Cedar Grove: Sat. 1-4 p.m., 3005 Lonesome Rd., Cedar Grove, 27278
What if I am unable to pick up my share one week? Or what if I forget to pick it up?
If given at least 24 hour notice, members can change their pick-up day or location up to three times a season. We will send a text message reminder to each member every pick-up day. If we don’t receive advanced notice, the share will be donated to a household in need through a partnership we have with Anathoth Community Garden & Farm.
Often times, CSA members will coordinate with another household to pick up their share for them or enjoy it for themselves while they are out of town. Eggs are the only products that are delivered weekly. It should be possible to arrange an alternate time to pick up a share that includes pork or chicken.
Is it possible to deliver additional items with my share?
Yes. If products are available, and we receive an order at least 24 hours in advance, we can send additional items to your pick-up. Check out our order form, The Farmer’s Freezer, to place your order.
Do you offer any vegetables?
Yes! Sort of. Chas is Co-Director of Anathoth Community Garden & Farm, and we deliver our products alongside Anathoth’s HarvestShare CSA. This means you can pick up delicious, sustainable meat AND veggies from one location every week…and support a great cause in the process. To learn more, check out Anathoth’s CSA page here.
Why is all of the meat frozen?
Frozen meat is safer and less perishable, making it an optimal solution for both us, as the producer, and our members, as the consumers. The ice crystals that form around frozen meat actually splinter and kill harmful bacteria during the thawing process, significantly reducing the risk of food born illness.
Frozen meat also allows us to slaughter/butcher animals less frequently, creating more time for good animal husbandry (and day jobs). Larger, less frequent slaughter days also allow us to invite members who want a closer relationship with the sacrificial process of procuring their meat.
I want a closer relationship with where my food is coming from. How can I be a part of husbandry, slaughtering, or butchering?
Our business, and particularly our CSA, is dedicated to facilitating meaningful opportunities for people to connect with their meat. Join our email list or Facebook page to receive updates about upcoming events.
