Frequently Asked Questions

Questions

Answers

Our free-range eggs are not organic because we feed our laying hens with conventional (non-organic) grain. To be labelled "organic", eggs must be produced according to the USDA Organic Standard. The USDA standard spells out specific requirements for how the laying hens are raised, including their feed, housing, and health care. The hens must have enough room to move around comfortably (no battery cages), they must have access to the outdoors when weather permits, and they cannot be treated with antibiotics, growth hormones, or synthetic pesticides. They must also be fed a 100% organic diet. Our laying flock at Chick Farm is raised in accordance with the organic standard in all respects except for the feed. Because organic chicken feed is roughly twice the price of conventional feed, and because our customers seem more concerned about our hens' happiness, if you will, than about the organic aspect, we have chosen to use conventional (non-organic) feed. This allows us to keep the price relatively affordable for our customers. It also allows us to feed the hens all of our kitchen scraps, organic and otherwise, which makes them very happy. (They're especially fond of spaghetti and watermelon!)   [Back to Top]

The easiest way to check your balance is by visiting the Accounts page in the CSA section of our website. Also, when you pick up an order at the farm there will be an order sheet attached to the bag that will show your name, your previous account balance, the amount of this week's order, and your new balance.   [Back to Top]

If your account balance runs low, you can replenish your account at any time with an additional payment of at least $100. (After September 15, the minimum payment is $50.) Although your initial $200 payment is non-refundable and must be used up by the end of the year, any additional payments are fully refundable. In other words, as long as you spend at least $200 with us during the year, any balance remaining in your account at the end of the year will be refunded to you. To make a payment, you can mail us a check at 19 Waldo Way, Wells, ME 04090 (check made out to Chick Farm please) or you can drop off a check or cash payment when you pick up your order.   [Back to Top]

Throughout the year our eggs & meats are available to the general public for purchase by cash or check at the farm. CSA members can buy eggs & meats using their CSA account balance. Simply help yourself to eggs from the fridge or meats from the fridge or freezer (we'll show you where everything is on your first visit), then use a CSA tally sheet to record what you take. We will calculate your purchase amount and subtract it from your CSA balance.   [Back to Top]

Although we prefer that you pick up your order during your designated pickup time (3-8pm on your pickup day), we realize that sometimes life gets in the way. In general, your order will remain on the counter in the CSA room until you pick it up, even if you don't pick it up until the next day. In hot weather, this means that the quality of your produce may suffer. If we have time and have the fridge space, any orders that do not get picked up by 8pm will be placed in the fridge. Please be aware, though, that fridge space is very limited and your order may end up spending the night on the counter. Also, any produce that was available in the CSA Market for members to select for themselves (such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and summer squash) is only available during CSA Market hours (3-8pm on Mondays & Thursdays).   [Back to Top]