Frequently Asked Questions

Runs year-round except for a few weeks for holidays, events, and other reasons that interrupt the delivery schedule.
Pre-payment is required for all signups. However, payments are broken up into 4 week payments.
Each share contains seasonally available local fruit (when available) and vegetable items. Amounts vary based on options.
Registration is rolling throughout the year.
We always have shares available. Know Your Farms is the only CSA in the Charlotte area without a cap on its CSA membership. We can do this because we use multiple farms to supply our CSA and maintain close relationships with them to secure our supply.

~~Local Food Club (LFC):~~ Discontinued in 2012

~~Working and non-working membership levels~~
~~Working memberships require work on a farm between 1-3 days and discounted monthly membership rate~~
~~Both types of membership require a monthly fee, refundable security deposit (initial signup only), and the cost of the food~~
~~Members get access to our online ordering system and may place orders every week.~~
~~This program runs year-round and you may sign up at any time. Join the LFC!.~~

Discontinued -- Meal-in-a-Box (MIB):

Includes local ingredients from our farms that can be used to create simple, four-person meals.
The portions are based on the latest nutritional guidelines and so will not look like restaurant portions. For example, protein portions will be from 3 oz - 6 oz per person in each box.
Staple pantry items like salt, pepper, oils, some spices, vinegars, etc. may not be included in the box. We will do our best to offer as many of these items in "pantry kits" as companion items to the meals when we find local sources for them.
Every meal includes easy to use recipes designed by our professional chef that guide you through the preparation and cooking steps.
There will be an entree recipe and a side dish recipe in each box.
Meals can be pre-purchased in 4 or 8 meal packages and must be used within three months of the purchase date.
Once you receive your meal vouchers, you can simply go to our MIB ordering page, enter you voucher number during the Tuesday-Thursday ordering window and receive your meal(s) the following week.

Q. When is my registration due?

A. You can join either program at any time. Your membership will begin as soon as you receive confirmation of registration.

Q. How long does my membership last?

A. LFC memberships are available in 3, 6, and 12-month lengths. Produce program memberships are available in the Summer, Spring, Fall, and Winter.

Q. Can I share a membership with another family?

A. Our membership pricing is intended for a single household. We realize that some households do share memberships, but unless the shared orders end up being significantly larger than a typical household order, we turn a blind eye. Also, we need to have a single point person for each membership so that we don't introduce confusion into our process.

Q. Do I have to work to be a member?

A. Nope. On-farm projects are not required, but the membership fees are reduced for working members. If you're concerned about the physical aspects of the on-farm projects, have no fear. We can use anyone in any capacity; just let us know what your limitations are so we can plan accordingly.

Q. Why do I have to give a security deposit? When do I get it back?

A. We pay the farmers for your order when we pick up the food at the farm. If you don't show up during the pickup time, we will deduct the cost of the food from your security deposit. Also, if you sign up as a working membership, you are getting a reduced membership rate in exchange for working on a farm. If you don't participate in a on-farm work project, we will deduct $30 from your security deposit to convert your membership to a nonworking one.

When your membership expires, you can either carry your security deposit forward when you renew your membership, or we will return your security deposit (minus any deductions per conditions above) to you.

Questions about the Workplace Wellness Program?

Q. What is the WW program?

A. KYF can partner with your employer and customize a delivery solution that can give access to local food for employees at the workplace. We currently work with several businesses and organizations in the Charlotte area through this program.

Q. Who does KYF need to speak with to get the WWP at my workplace?

A. We typically need to speak with decision makers tasked with Wellness initiatives or sustainability initiatives.

Q. How often can we get food at our workplace?

A. We will develop a delivery solution with your decision makers that fits into our delivery schedule. Workplace programs will receive weekly deliveries just like the regular produce programs.

Questions about the Food

Q. What food will be available?

A. The food available varies by season. Some things, like eggs, beef, ostrich, pork, and poultry are pretty consistently available. Produce will vary by season and the weather; some months will be bountiful and full of variety while others will have slimmer pickings. Other items that store well, like honey, we often purchase in advance to ensure it is available to you after the point at which the farmer would normally have sold out.

We're eagerly awaiting completion of a dairy processing plant at one of our farms that will provide us with milk, goat's milk, cheese, goat cheese, butter, and yogurt. UPDATE 2/24/11 This project has been delayed indefinitely due to regulatory hurdles and financing roadblocks.

Q. Are there a lot of offerings for vegetarians?

A. During the warmer months, definitely. At this time, our produce selection during colder months varies significantly.

Q. Is the food organic?

A. Depends on the farm, and what you mean by organic. We will not use the term organic on any products unless they meet the USDA requirements for organic. That does not mean, however, that food not labeled as organic is grown any differently that food that is labeled organic. Many farms have even more stringent practices than the USDA organic standard, even though they are not organic-certified.

The best way for you to determine how the food you are purchasing is grown is to get to know each farm. You can do this by reading our farm profiles, by corresponding with the farmers, and by participating in on-farm work projects.

Q. Is the food more expensive than the food in grocery stores?

A. Yes, and no. If you compare the price for a standard dozen eggs in a grocery store with the price our farmers charge, you'll find the grocery store eggs to be less expensive. But these two products are not comparable in terms of nutrition, freshness, or taste. You are getting a different product when you purchase fresh from the farms. Based on our comparisons, the prices charged by our farmers seems to be in line with prices for food with comparable nutritional value (ie organic or naturally-grown).

As one of our farmers likes to say, "There's no such thing as 'cheap food.' It's neither cheap nor food."

Q. How much food do I get when I order?

A. LFC: That's entirely up to you. You choose the products and quantities you want from the catalog of what's available that week.

Produce Program: The amount of food in the shares will vary based on the options you choose. How far that food goes depends on your eating habits as an individual or group.

Questions about the Farms

Q. Where are your farms located?

A. You can find out where each farm is located in our farm profiles. We focus our efforts on farms that are closest to us, which typically means within 30 miles of our office in Davidson.

Q. Why don't I see the farms I ordered from last time?

A. We have too many farms to visit in a single day. We alternate between two different routes, so most farms will appear every other week. Only a handful will appear every week.

Questions about Ordering

Q. When do I place my order?

A. Orders are accepted Tuesday - Thursday for pickup the following week. Orders must be received by noon EST Thursday.

Please note that orders placed at the last minute are more likely to have shortages. In some cases there are only limited quantities of a product available, and we instruct our farmers to fill orders in the order in which they are received by our system.

Q. How do I pay for my order?

A. We collect payment at pickup. Payment is accepted in the form of checks and cash (exact change only).

Q. Why is the price on my receipt different from the price on my order confirmation?

A. We do not have an accurate total for your order until after we've picked up the food from the farms and determined what shortages exist and what the weights are for items like meat and produce. Furthermore, the order confirmation does not include sales tax.

Questions about Picking Up

Q. What happens if I'm running late or will miss the pickup?

A. There are two pickup locations each delivery day. If you miss the time window at the first location, go to the second location during its allocated time. If you miss both times, your food is donated to a needy family and the cost of the food is deducted from your security deposit.

If you know you are going to miss the pickup, you need to get someone to pick up for you or you will forfeit your order and the cost of the food from your security deposit.

You may also call us (980) 225-1020 or send us an email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it to let us know you are running late or cannot pickup your food.

Q. What happens if I'm missing something in my order?

A. First, refer to your receipt to verify that you were charged for the item. Sometimes there are shortages, and we do not charge for items that we know you did not receive. If you verify that you were in fact charged and the item is definitely missing, notify us as soon as possible. Sometimes members' bags get mixed up during pickup, and we may already have located your missing item.

Q. What happens if it's raining/severe weather during pickup time?

A. Well, we'll get wet. The rain doesn't keep the farmers from the fields, and it won't keep us from delivering. Just be nice to us if we're dripping wet. :)

In the unlikely event of snow or severe weather, we will continue operations and deliveries as long as we can safely drive on the roads. We are very unlikely to cancel a delivery due to the weather.

Questions about On-Farm Work Projects

Q. Can I bring my children to the farm?

A. Not during an on-farm work project. The simple answer is it's too dangerous. The more complicated answer involves liability. Children 16 and older may participate.

If you want to bring your children to visit a farm, please contact the farmer to arrange something on a different day. And please be sure to purchase while you're there and ensure you compensate the farmer for his or her time.

Q. What happens if I can't make any of the projects?

A. You can either send someone in your place, or you can forfeit part of your security deposit to make up the difference between a working and non-working membership.

Q. Can people that are not working members participate in an on-farm project?

A. Absolutely. The more the merrier. Just be sure to let us know in advance so that we can plan accordingly.

Q. What kind of work do these projects entail?

A. It varies by farm and season. Past projects have included clearing limbs from fields and manning the bonfire; planting mushrooms; planting seedlings in the greenhouse; weeding; harvesting; taking down hoop houses; chasing pigs from one pasture to another; collecting and washing eggs; rewiring fences; shovelling manure; creating new garden space by layering organic matter along the length; harvesting and shelling pecans; and cleaning up at the farmers' market.

Q. What if I'm physically weak or unable to perform heavy labor?

A. No problem; there's ALWAYS work to be done on the farms. Just be sure to let us know in advance so we can plan accordingly.

Didn't see the answer to your question? Let us know.

Questions about Membership

Q. How do I sign up?