Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I PURCHASE MY VEGGIE SHARE?
After making your purchase of a classic or hearty veggie share on our website, you will automatically become a Sparrow Gardens member. You will be contacted by our team via email regarding instructions and what to expect for the season, as well as confirm your pickup location and time slot. Pick up days for your designated location will occur on the same weekday, once a week, for a two hour interval. You will also be added to our farmer's email list and receive weekly updates, important announcements, and information regarding the farm.
Can I change my veggie pickup day or time from week to week?
No, you cannot vary your pickup time and location from week to week. Allow me to explain why. Our farm team harvests, washes, and packs your veggie share on the same day as your pick up day. They also take the time to tend to the farm ensuring that everything runs smoothly and plants are well cared for. As a market garden using organic methods, and that does not use harmful or unnatural chemicals, our farm team utilizes hand farming methods to harvest your food. This process takes time and skill. We do not use heavy equipment, harvesting machines or tractors. That is why we must stagger pick up days and spread the number of customers we serve over the course of the week. However, if there is a better existing location or time slot that works for you, please contact our team to discuss.
Can I contact Farmer TASHA directly when I have questions about my share?
Absolutely. Yes. Farmer Tasha's email is tasha@sparrowandco.org.
Be sure to check our website for some of the answers you are looking for. Consider contacting admin@sparrowandco.org if your questions are not food/farm/veggie share related. You can also submit your inquiries on our contact form and someone from our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Can I order more vegetables to be included in my share if the need arises?
Yes! When we have an abundance of vegetables we will make add-ons available on our Online Marketplace. The Online Marketplace pages will be made available on our website in July. Farmer Tasha will let you know in the weekly email when add-ons will be available.
If I am unable to pick up one week can I double on next week's share?
Here are answers to a few variations
of this question:
1) Yes, we have some wiggle room to make this happen, however, please give us advanced notice. Giving our farm team a heads up will helps us know how to manage our harvest. Remember, your Veggie Share is harvested the day you come to pick up your share!
2) Let us know if you ask someone to pick up your share on your behalf. Email us their name and phone number, and the day of your pick up!
3) You also have the option to donate your share. This means we include more food for our charity partners for that week!
How will I know what will be in my share this week?
You can see on the HARVEST CALENDAR what vegetable varieties will be available and when. However, this may vary because of weather and other factors. Part of being a farm member is experiencing the ups and downs of farm life along with us (unlike the usual supermarket experience). Everything is incredibly fresh and delicious, but you may not have the exact varieties you want exactly when you want it.
Each Saturday, Farmer Tasha will send out a members-only newsletter. In it she will share some sneak peaks of life on the farm and also let you know what you can expect to see in your veggie share that week! Then, two days prior to your pickup day, you will need to visit our website to fill out the weekly order form and make your selection of vegetables varieties.
What if I really dislike something in my veggie share?
Oh, the joys of trying new foods! One of the great things about having a veggie share (especially a Farmer's Choice share) is that you get to experience foods you would never think to buy, try, or cook! Some varieties you have never even heard of! Inevitably, there will be some veggies you hate (I know more than a handful of people who find celery disgusting). Check back on our RECIPES page to discover new ways of cooking or preparing your veggies. However, you do have the option of asking our farmer to never include such a variety in your share ever again. We will gladly make a note of it on your account!
When I choose to donate my share for the week, where does the food go?
This year, Sparrow & Co. has partnered with three local charitable organizations: M.I.N.D., Safe Families Canada, and Master's Pantry. Every week, we deliver to one of these organizations. When there is a week that you cannot pick up your share, are on vacation, or if you have more food than you can eat in a week, you can choose to donate either some or all of your share. Just contact our farmer and let her know! Check out our GIVE BACK page to read more about our charitable partners.