Here are some frequently asked questions:
- Are there membership fees?
- Will I have to buy vegetables I don't want?
- How do I order?
- When do I pay?
- When and where do I pick up my order?
- Why support Local Farms First?
- How can I sell through this market?
- Is this a retail or wholesale market?
- I own a restaurant or am planning a wedding. How do I find out what foods will be in season?
And here are some answers:
Are there membership fees?
To help us provide farmer training, farm tours, educational programs, and to help us with our overhead costs, we ask that you pay an annual membership of $25 per household or business for one calendar year.
You will get 2 free orders before the membership fee is automatically applied to your 3rd order to make sure Local Farms First is for you!
There is also a 24% surcharge added to the price the grower sets to cover fuel to and from Paonia, vehicle maintenance, market manager salary and sales tax. This surcharge is waived for Paonia customers and wholesale accounts.
Will I have to buy vegetables I don't want?
Unlike some co-ops, buying clubs, or CSAs where everyone gets the same box of stuff (and you don’t know what you’re getting until you get it), you get to order what you want, in the quantities that you want, from the farms that you want, when you want it.
Going out of town? Skip a week of ordering?
Just need 1 big chicken? No problem.
Hate beets? You’ll never have to order something you don’t like.
You can browse the available products each week according to categories and sub-categories before you place your order.
How do I order?
The first step is to create an account (don’t worry, it’s simple)
Each Thursday evening, we’ll send out an email announcing the market opening. You can then log in and browse through all of the available products that week.
Add the items you want to your cart, review your cart and pick-up details and submit your order. Payment is upon pick up.
Orders can be placed anytime between Thursday at 5 PM through market closing on Monday at 7 AM.
The market is currently closed from December 2014-March 2015. Check back then for updated information!
Orders can be placed here on our website.
When do I pay?
We accept cash or checks when you pick up your order.
We may have to adjust your total due to rain, hail, or other damage at the farms so we do not accept advance payment on the website.
To pay with a gift certificate, just enter the amount and your name into your order comments and we’ll discount that amount.
When and where do I pick up my order?
Customers can pick-up their produce at the following locations:
In Crested Butte -Wednesday from 4-6 pm at A Daily Dose (502 Belleview – Next to Clark’s Market).
In Gunnison – Wednesday from 4-6pm – The Local Market – 111 N. Main. Customers MUST bring a check.
In Paonia – The Trading Post – Wednesday 12pm-4pm. A 20% local discount will be deducted from invoice upon pickup.
If you work at a large organization and can get enough people to submit orders, we can negotiate a delivery directly to you.
For orders delivered outside of the market, we apply a 15% fuel and delivery surcharge.
Why support Local Farms First?
Support a non-profit market that is run by farmers: Farmers control their market and their pricing.
Support your local economy: By purchasing produce and other items from local growers you are providing stability to your local economy through the support of local businesses and families.
Save natural resources: Buying locally makes you an invaluable link in the process of saving resources such as fossil fuels and packaging materials. Also, we are right here in your community so the expense of transportation and delivery is kept to a minimum.
Provide learning opportunities: Local Farms First supporters provide member growers the means to help educate our community about the importance of sustainable agriculture.
Supporting a way of life: The number of small farms in the United States has decreased dramatically in the last decade. Please help us preserve an honest and worthy means of making a living.
We believe that small, diverse, family-owned farms contribute to society’s overall health.
How can I sell through this market?
If you’ve already created a customer account here, simply go to Our Growers and click on ‘Join this Market’. This will add you to our system and our market managers will contact you with the next step. We are a 501©3 non-profit, and we function as a growers cooperative – you set your prices, and we do the rest!
Everything on the market is local, Organic, Naturally Grown and/or chemical free, no exceptions.
Like at a traditional farmers’ market, you do get to set your own prices and list your items as you wish.
Is this a retail or wholesale market?
The market is set up for home or bulk purchasers.
Schools, restaurants, chefs and businesses contact us directly so we may source what you need for your business.
Those with a Colorado Tax Exempt ID number will receive a 20% discount upon pickup.
I own a restaurant or am planning a wedding. How do I find out what foods will be in season?
You can use this Colorado Crop Calendar to estimate what might be in season for your event, school, or restaurant.
Need more information or more specifics:
Email us at LocalFarmsFirst@me.com