FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q: What size boxes do you do?
We have four box sizes ranging from a mini, which will feed a single person or a couple, to a large box, which will typically feed a family of four or more. These are however only guidelines since everyone has different eating habits.
Q: What is the difference between the box sizes?
Small, Medium and Large boxes differ only in the quantities of each item that they contain. There is no difference in variety between these box sizes, unless there is a shortage of a particular item on a given week.
We provide a Mini box with fewer varieties than the other boxes for those who cannot make full use of the range or volume of produce of a Small box.
Q: What does a typical box contain?
In summer there are usually about 9 -11 items in each box but in the winter and spring, this will fall to about 6 - 8 items (although they are usually more substantial crops like swede, parsnips and squash). Boxes contain potatoes and carrots every week, along with either bulb onions or spring onions and most weeks there will be some form of lettuce or salad as well as a bunch or bag of herbs.
In the summer tomatoes and courgettes (and in the winter leeks) are included regularly. The remaining contents comprise a range of well known and less well known seasonal vegetables from leeks and turnips, sweet corn and beans to Jerusalem artichokes, squashes and pumpkins, aubergines and melons.
We also offer eggs, mayonnaise and bread throughout the year, and honey in the autumn and winter.
Q: Do you deliver to homes?
We are finding we are delivering direct to customers more and more as the rounds grow but this may not always be possible. It may be that you will pick up your box from the nearest collection point.
There may be a £2.00 charge for home delivery.
Q: When and how do I pay?
We ask customers to make payments monthly (preferably on or by the 15th – i.e. two weeks in advance and two weeks in arrears) and we accept three main payment methods: Standing Order, Direct Payment from your bank or cheque (we are trying to discourage payments by cheque due to the high bank charges)
Q: Can I pay by cash?
We do take cash payments but ask that you only pay by cash if you can come to Barton Farm and hand it to us personally. The delivery drivers do not carry change and should not be given cash payments. Please do not leave cash in the boxes.
Q: Can I pay using my credit card online or over the phone?
No, we do not currently have any card payment facilities.
Q: Do I need to pay in advance?
Generally we recommend that new customers have a few boxes before making any payments, so that you can ensure that the box size you have is suitable and that picking up from the collection point is working. After a few weeks you can make a single cheque payment for the boxes that you’ve had and, from then, to set up a standing order or to make regular monthly cheque or direct payments based on the orders you make that month.
Q: How do I know how much to pay each month?
Usually we say calculate your weekly spend, multiply it by 52 and divide it by 12 to give you an amount that also covers the 5 week months. If you have a box fortnightly then divide the final total by 2 or monthly by 4 etc..
Q: What happens if I want to go on holiday or cancel a box?
The deadline for cancellations or changes to orders in the same week is 12.30pm on a Tuesday. Late cancellations will incur a £2.00 fee to be added to your account. The fee is only charged because all the orders will have been sent to the Packhouse and cancelling a box late involves extra admin work. You may be charged the full price for cancelling a Veg Box, which is due to be delivered on the same day, as by then the produce will have been harvested.
Q: Do you send statements?
We have a new system and are hoping to be able to email statements to you individually (this is currently under construction) but you can contact us at any time for an account balance. We can also send you a statement if requested. Statements are automatically sent if your account balance owing becomes too high.
Q: What happens if I’ve already paid for a box I want to cancel?
You can request a refund. Customers often leave this until any credit has built up, this helps to keep the banking costs down. We will also send a refund if the account credit is high.
Q: What happens if I don’t order?
We will assume that you want a box and will continue to deliver your typical order unless we hear otherwise from you. You must let us know if you want to cancel a box. The scheme is very flexible and if you choose to order a box as and when this can also be arranged but you do need to let us know.
Week 5
Beg: 30th Jan 2012
Deliveries: 2nd/3rd Feb
Boxes this week will
contain items from
the selection below:
Potatoes (Orla)
Carrots
Onions
Leeks
Brussel Sprouts
Celeriac
PS Broccoli
Sprouted Grains
Parsley (not in Mini boxes)
NB: Due to availabilty box contents may vary
The boxes may not always contain the same number of items as shown in the list. However, this is more likely to apply to the mini and small boxes
Make up crops may vary from the list !
