• 1. Using quick FAQ:

  Click numbered title to show associated text.

• 2. Where are you located?

  The CSA Farm is located at the Ignatius Jesuit Centre of Guelph—a 240 hectare property located 2km north of Guelph.
  5420 Hwy 6 North
  RR 5 Guelph, ON, N1H 6J2

• 3. Who oversees the program?

  The CSA program is an extension of the Ignatius Jesuit Centre of Guelph which has owned, operated and maintained the land since 1913. The Community Shared Agriculture program has been offered since 2001. If you would like to learn more about the Centre or our history, please see the Ignatius Jesuit Centre Home Page.

• 4. How big is the farm?

  Approximately 3 hectares of the 90 hectare Ignatius Farm is dedicated to Community Shared Agriculture.

• 5. How many members can participate?

  In a typical year, the CSA would have approximately 250 member shareholders—local families and businesses who support the principals of Community Shared Agriculture and appreciate a readily available supply of fresh, organic produce.

• 6. How do I become a member shareholder?

  Membership in our program begins with the purchase of a “share” in our harvest. Begin by downloading our membership application, complete, sign and return to the address provided no later than February 1st. When you submit the application, please include a cheque or money order payable to Ignatius Farm CSA. The minimum deposit to reserve a share is a flat-rate of $100.00. You may also pay the full amount. As rates change from year-to-year, please see Membership Fees.
  
  All prospective members are strongly advised to confirm availability of shares before applying. You may do so by contacting us directly at 519-824-1250 ext. 275, or via e-mail: .

• 7. Can I buy a half share, or multiple shares?

  Our small share provides just over half the produce of our regular share and is a great alternative for an individual. As shares are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis, we encourage you to reserve your share well in advance of the coming growing season.

• 8. Are CSA shares available for purchase all year?

  Shares in the upcoming season's harvest can be reserved at any time by providing a postdated cheque (dated Oct. 1). If applying after February 1st, please contact us before submitting your payment and application to ensure availability.

• 9. What happens if I am unable to participate for the full year?

  If for any reason you need to cancel your membership prior to April 1st, you will receive a refund less a 10% administration fee. After April 1st, a refund will only be offered if individuals on our waiting list are interested in purchasing the share. Although shares are in demand, we cannot guarantee that a buyer can be found for your share—especially late in the growing season.

• 10. How do I receive my produce each week?

  When you sign up, you will be asked to specify a pickup day (either Tuesday from 3:30-7 p.m., or Friday from 2:30-6 p.m.). This is the day when you will come to the Ignatius Farm store and pick-up your share of the weekly harvest. The harvest pick–up starts in the third or fourth week of June, depending on the weather. You will get a phone call or email to notify you when the pickups have started.

• 11. What happens if I am unable to pick-up my produce on any given week?

  Due to limited refrigeration capacity, we are not able to store produce for excessive amounts of time. Produce not picked-up will be distributed to local service agencies. If you're planning a holiday or will be out of town, consider offering your share to neighbors or friends in the community. They can pick up your share in your absence.

• 12. How do you determine what my share portion is?

  Each week we harvest all ripening produce and either by unit numbers or weight, we divide the harvest by the number of members—with each member receiving an equal portion. When you arrive at our store, the week’s produce will be laid out in crates along a table. A whiteboard on the wall indicates what you can take for your week’s share. Much of it is by weight so scales are provided. Other items are by number (e.g., 2 summer squash), and sometimes you choose from a range of options (e.g., 1 rutabaga or 1 head of cabbage).

• 13. Who profits from the program?

  All sales revenue generated from CSA memberships goes into growing your food. In a society where food pricing has not risen substantially for over 50 years, while costs of production have steadily increased, profit margins on food are usually negative. CSA, by reducing food packaging, transport and retail costs through a process where farmers sell directly to the consumer in a prepaid arrangement, models a marketing method that benefits both the community and the farmer.
  Our membership payments cover annual production costs but not all of the capital expenditures or educational internship program. The generosity of our members and volunteers, and the tireless dedication of our staff and interns allows all of us to benefit from the CSA program. The CSA is designed to enrich the lives of the members and broader community that support CSA and to nurture the land. It is not a commercial endeavor, but it must cover all operating expenses.
  As always, donations toward our CSA and share sponsorship program are welcome. Tax receipts for gifts over $20.00 will be provided.

• 14. What types of produce do you grow?

  We grow over 60 varieties of vegetables and fruit, including, but not limited to: lettuce, Asian greens, radishes, garlic, summer squash, tomatoes, spinach, leeks, melons, winter squash, potatoes, carrots, turnip and onions. The season concludes with an abundance of various apple varieties grown in our orchard.

• 15. How do you determine the cost of a share?

  The cost of a share is decided in advance of the growing season and takes into account estimated costs of inputs, operating requirements, labour, and a portion of capital costs. The CSA annual operating budget is then divided by the planned number of members. If the resulting cost of a share does not offer our members a great value, donations may be solicited to offset costs and reduce the share price. Share prices are set by the Business Advisory Committee of the Ignatius Farm CSA. The committee includes CSA members with business, financial, and entrepreneurial skills along with CSA farmers and a member of the Ignatius Jesuit Centre Board of Directors.

• 16. Does an oversight committee represent the interest of member shareholders?

  A working group known as the “Core Group” represents the ongoing interests of members. The group is comprised of active shareholders who provide feedback to the farmers, promote CSA membership, facilitate membership activities and communications. If you are interested in learning more about our Core Group, please contact us.

In Brief