Frequently Asked Questions
The following are answers to the questions we're asked the most...
Share of the Farm Program
What's unique about the Share of the Farm program at Avalon Farms Homegrown?
Variety - What’s a summer in Michigan without cherries and peaches in season? We secure some products from other Michigan family farms and include them in the shares so you can enjoy much of what our great state grows.
Delivery - Just let us know what address you'd like it delivered to in the greater Kalamazoo, Battle Creek or Marshall area and we'll drop it off during our regular delivery route. Most people choose their work or home. And don't worry about being there to meet us, most people aren't. Just leave a cooler with an ice pack so the produce still looks great when you get home.
Should I order a full or small share?
Good question. A small share is approximately half the amount of produce in a full share. The photos in the online market are samples from different weeks in different years. It is extremely hard to predict or recommend how many people or servings each size may feed. It will vary greatly based upon the eaters in your home. Some two person homes eat a full share each week, other families of four say a small share is just right. We can also change your share size mid-year if you find it's not right for your family. Weather, the production year and prices will also impact share size.
A small share may also include fewer kinds of produce. For example, if a full share includes a watermelon that week, we won't deliver half of a watermelon for small shares. Instead we may substitute another product and small shares may include melons every other week.
Can I share a share?
Sure. We'd love for more people to enjoy the flavors of summer in Michigan. Just let us know which one person is responsible for payment and to receive the delivery.
Can I share a share?
Sure. We'd love for more people to enjoy the flavors of summer in Michigan. Just let us know which one person is responsible for payment and to receive the delivery.
What does it cost and how do I sign-up?
See the Online Market for options, pricing and online registration.
My Share
I love to eat _____ (insert product) but I've run out of ideas of what to do with it. Any suggestions?
Cook it. Bake it. Grill it. Freeze it. Can it. This is summer's abundance at it's best. Recipes, storage tips and directions for preparation are provided with the deliveries.
What can I expect in my share each week?
A surprise! We can predict based upon the time of year, but we don't always know what or how much Mother Nature has ripened until we pick that morning. See our Seasonal Produce Calendar for more information about what you might expect to see in your share throughout the 20 week program. Many customers wait to get their share and then plan the week's menu accordingly.
Deliveries early in the season will be smaller because there isn't as much produce available. But come mid-August you'll have the true splendor of the tastes this great state offers.
Due to picking cycles and because it's delivered fresh, Monday's delivery is likely to contain different products than Wednesday's.
I just can't get my family to eat _____ (insert product). Can something else be substituted?
We pride ourselves in providing a variety of produce for all types of eaters and tastebuds. See our recipe section for ideas of other ways to prepare that product. Some customers donate it to a friend, family member or local food bank for someone else to enjoy. Some of the community drop off groups have a "trade box" where you can also swap items.
Delivery
There was room in the cooler, but why were the tomatoes sitting on top?
Tomatoes like it hot. Coolness actually breaks them down so please don't store them in the fridge. They're happiest on the kitchen counter.
Can I suspend deliveries while I'm on vacation?
Of course. Please let us know one week in advance and you can be credited for that week. Although some customers still have the delivery sent for a house sitter or neighbor to enjoy.
Do I need to be available when you deliver?
No. However, we want you to enjoy the freshest produce possible so if no one is home to receive the delivery personally we require a large chest cooler (35 quart capacity or so) be left. If there isn't a cooler available we will not be able to leave your delivery. Please contact us to make arrangements to pick-up your share at the farm the next day.
Growing Practices
How can you have tomatoes available in May?
Ah, the glories of a greenhouse. Thanks to our greenhouses we can grow plants year around and pick hydroponic tomatoes from April through November.
What are your growing practices? Are you certified organic?
While we follow a number of sustainable practices we are not certified organic.
- We use integrated pest management tactics, like rotating crops to different parts of the gardens, to help avoid insect, disease and weed pest problems.
- We use lady beetles in the lettuce house to control aphids and incarsea to control white flies in the tomato house.
- Weed, disease and insect pests are monitored and we take action only if they start to negatively impact quality or production. We then use crop protectant products appropriate for the pest problem we're facing using organically labeled products when available. Much of our produce is pesticide free.
- Our partnering farmers are also responsible growers and share our concern for protecting soil and water resources.
More about our Share of the Farm Program
More about the Delivery and Pick-up Programs
