Harvest Box Policies
Please read these Policies in full. They contain important information that ensures you will know what to expect and will enjoy being a part of Rootdown’s Harvest Box Program.
Dates
Our CSA Harvest Box Program runs for 15 weeks. The first box is ready the last week of June, and the last box occurs the first week of October.
In previous years, we’ve been able to supply additional early season and late season boxes that CSA members can choose to add on. Members will be notified if these become available. They are likely but not guaranteed. These additional early and late season boxes are not included in the price of a Traditional Box membership. Build Your Own Box members can use their credit for these early or late season boxes.
Communication
It is expected that you check for and read all email communications from Rootdown Farm prior to, throughout, and after the Harvest Box season. These emails contain important information regarding pick ups, payments, order deadlines, and more.
This is also how you will receive the weekly newsletter, which includes recipes and storage tips for in-season vegetables, and helps you make the most out of your Harvest Box.
Please check your junk, spam, or promotion folders for emails from us after sign up, and add us to your mailing list as per your email provider.
Payment, Fees, and Overdue Payment Charges
The cost for a Rootdown Farm Harvest Box is $547.50 for 15 weeks of the Traditional Box, and $570 for the Build Your Own Box, plus the one-time Admin Fee (see below).
There is a one-time Administrative Fee of $10 charged to your account upon sign up. This helps us to cover the cost of the software we use to manage our CSA, as well as all other associated administrative costs (customer support, payment processing, running distribution sites, etc.).
Payment can be made in full before the harvest season begins, or in two installments. You will choose one of these options when you sign up. Sign up and pay in full by March 1st to receive a $10 credit for use at our online store. Please note that your spot in our Harvest Box Program is not confirmed until your first installment or your payment in full is received, and your Harvest Box will be cancelled if we have not received appropriate and up to date payment by the second box of the season.
Payment can be made via e-transfer to simone@rootdownfarm.net, or by cheque mailed to Rootdown Farm, 8425 Pemberton Meadows Rd, Pemberton, BC, V0N-2L2. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept credit cards.
Outstanding amounts owing (from veggie add-ons, etc) will be billed to members at the end of the season, and can be paid similarly, by e-transfer or cheque. If any unpaid balances remain after the beginning of the next calendar year (2025), you will be charged a late fee of $20 to help compensate the farm for the increased administrative costs associated with collecting payment.
Selection Deadlines
Selections for Build Your Own Box, as well as add-ons to the Traditional Box, are required by midnight on Saturday, prior to the day of delivery. By respecting this deadline you help to keep us on track during our very busy harvest schedule. This allows us to run a smoother farm operation, and do what we do best - deliver fresh, top quality vegetables to our many customers!
Build Your Own Box members who do not make their selections by the weekly deadline will automatically receive a pre-set Suggested Box that week.
Unfortunately, late order add-ons or box alterations cannot be accommodated. Please customize your box or place your add-on order by the deadline.
Vacation Holds
**New Vacation Hold Protocols - Please Read**
You may put your account on hold up to 5 weeks per season, and you will not be charged for harvest boxes, extra salad shares, or egg shares that you miss on those weeks. We prefer members to miss as few weeks as possible, but understand that life gets busy, and holidays happen.
You are responsible for putting your own box on hold (instructions below). You need to set your box on hold at a minimum by Saturday at midnight prior to the box you want to put on hold (the same deadline there is for box alterations/add-ons). Please note there are no exceptions to this deadline, and if it is missed, you will be charged for your box that week, even if you cannot make pick up. Please understand that this deadline is simply to help keep your farmers sane during the busy harvest season. We thank you in advance for respecting this deadline.
IMPORTANT - How to put your box on hold: New for 2024, we now ask that you put your box on hold yourself when you would like to miss a week. To do this, simply log into your account HERE, and then follow these steps:
In your account select the “Delivery Hold” tab.
Enter the date or dates you will be away. This can be a date range of a single day, or a range covering several missed pick ups. Please note you can only set 3 separate delivery holds at a time and only 5 total for the season.
Save your changes! You will receive a “Delivery Hold Updated” email, confirming the dates of your vacation hold. If you do not receive a confirmation email (remember to check your spam/junk folders), your hold was not successful.
If you need support with this, please email admin@rootdownfarm.net and tell us the dates you will be gone or ask for a hand - we’re happy to help!
Please note that no credit or refunds are given outside of the 5 weeks/season allowable vacation hold. If you need to miss more than 5 boxes in during our Harvest Season, consider gifting your box to a friend, colleague, or neighour.
Box Pick-Up
In Whistler, pick-ups are set-up “market style” at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Center by the main entrance off of the upper parking lot. Whistler pick-up occurs on Tuesdays, from 4:00-6:00pm.
**There is a new Pemberton pick up option for 2024! For Pemberton members, boxes are pre-packed and we have two pick up options. Option 1 is picked up from Stay Wild Natural Health Food Store in Pemberton, on Wednesdays, from 3:30-5:00pm. Option 2 is picked up from Rootdown Organic Farm at 7717 Pemberton Meadows Rd, on Wednesdays from 5-7pm. Please note you must choose one pick up sight for the whole season. Pemberton members are asked to please not take our bins, but rather transfer items to their boxes or bags.
We ask all our members bring their own bags and containers to both locations to help us reduce the waste and cost of packaging.
Missed pick-ups…
There is no credit given for missed pick ups. If you have not scheduled a vacation hold on time, or have used up your vacation holds for the year, and are going to miss a pick-up, please send a friend, neighbor, relative or co-worker to pick up your box. All unclaimed boxes will return to the farm and will be available for pick-up by special arrangement until the following Monday. There is no guarantee on produce quality for boxes picked up late, and no credit for boxes that are not collected.
To schedule a vacation hold, please see above for our policies and requirements for this.
Quality Guarantee
Rootdown stands behind our reputation for fresh, quality produce. Please let us know if a vegetable you receive is not up to your expectations. We work hard for you, and want to keep our members well fed!
Customer Support & Cancellation Policy
We do not offer refunds or cancellations on Harvest Box memberships once the season is under way and boxes have begun. This is because seeds have already been seeded, and your vegetables are growing! Significant labour and investment from our farm has already gone into them.
However, if your life situation changes, or you find the CSA model just isn’t working for you, you may transfer your harvest box over to a friend, co-worker, or family member, no questions asked. Just send an email to admin@rootdownfarm.net and let us know who will be taking over your Harvest Box share, and we will help to make the transition happen.
At any point if you have questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out. Whether you need technical help with our online store, or have questions about a new-to-you vegetable, we will do our best to support you in making our Harvest Box program work for you.
Privacy Policy
Rootdown will not sell, rent or give away our email list, or any personal information of our members.