Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I request a refund?
A: If you request a refund before the deadline sign up date we can offer you a full refund, though, if you request a refund mid-season unfortunately because we commit to certain agreements with our farmers at the beginning of the growing season, we cannot offer any refunds then.
Q: What if there aren’t any shares at my location?
A: If your share is missing, please contact HAFA csa@hmongfarmers.com as soon as possible. We will do our best to track down your box, replace it, or refund the cost of the 1 missing share.
Q. Can I purchase a Flower Share without purchasing a vegetable share?
A. YES! You can purchase a flower share separately. When purchasing on our website be sure to choose the share you want and it’s as easy as that!
Q: Do the CSA shares come every week?
A: CSA deliveries are made weekly at the designated pick up locations for the period that you sign up for.
Q: Where do I go to pick up my CSA share?
A: We have pick up sites in both St. Paul and Minneapolis. You can see a list of our pick up sites and find out which is the best site for you.
Q: What time will the CSA share be here?
A: CSA shares are delivered on Wednesdays and Thursdays. All CSA shares will typically be delivered by 1PM to each site, and will be available for pickup per the site’s business hours.
Q: What will be in the share?
A: The contents of your CSA box will vary depending on the season. We will send a CSA newsletter out every week prior to pick up time with a list of that week’s box contents. The newsletter will include a couple of recipes to give you ideas for how to use your produce.
Q: What do HAFA farmers grow?
A: Our farmers grow over 160 varieties of fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Much of their produce is also sold at various farmers markets throughout the metropolitan area.
Q: Are HAFA farmers certified organic?
A: At this time, none of our farmers are certified organic. However, our farmers engage in robust sustainable agricultural practices including poly-cropping, inter-cropping, successive planting, farming on the contour, using cover crops, and many other labor-intensive, natural methods of farming.
Q: Does everyone get the same vegetables in their CSA boxes?
A: The contents of the full and half shares will vary. All of the full shares will be the same, and all the half shares will be the same. Occasionally we will feature a “farmer’s choice” item — for example, some people might get broccoli and others get cauliflower.
Q: I am not happy with a product, what can I do?
A: If you receive product that you believe is sub-par in quality, please contact csa@hmongfarmers.com. It matters to us that you are satisfied with the quality of your CSA box, and we will make every effort to remedy the situation.
Q: Do I bring the CSA waxed box home?
A: You may bring your box home with you and return it to your drop site the following week. Many CSA members bring their own bags or boxes to transfer their vegetables into so they don’t have to remember to bring the box back.
Q: What if I am going on vacation, can I place my share on hold?
A: HAFA will not be offering vacation holds for the 2024 season. You will, however, be able to donate your box if you go on vacation or arrange for a friend to pick up your box. Please email us at csa@hmongfarmers.com to inform of any changes.
Q: Who else buys your produce?
A: The HAFA food hub has been selling fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers throughout the metropolitan area since 2012. In addition to the CSA, we sell to: Institutions, local grocery stores, and community partners!
Q: Do you have a Certificate of Liability Insurance?
A: Yes, HAFA has a $4 million liability insurance policy.
Q. I’m too far from one of the listed drop off sites. Can HAFA drop off the CSA at a closer location to my home?
A. As of now, HAFA has only confirmed specific drop off sites due to logistics and regulations. See our map on our CSA page. Please email us at csa@hmongfarmers.com if you have any ideas on on a potential drop-off site.
Q. Can I volunteer to help pack CSA shares?
A. YES! If you are interested in volunteering, please visit our volunteer page
Q. How can I help share about HAFA?
A. Give us a shout out on Instagram, Facebook, and/or Twitter at the handle @hafafarmers! We’d love to spread your photos to our social medias as well!
Q: I’m having issues signing up, is there a tutorial that I can follow?
A: Yes, we have created a visual tutorial that you can follow step by step. Click here for tutorial.
Q: Can I place a bulk purchase during the growing season?
A: If you would like to place a bulk purchase on any of our crops, please visit our Wholesale page for more information.
More questions? Contact us and we’ll get to you as soon as possible.
We are dedicated to advancing the prosperity of Hmong farmers through cooperative endeavors, capacity building and advocacy. HAFA was started and is led by family farmers. Organizing is in our DNA.