UPDATE MAY 26th, 2020

The CSA pick up at our Bathurst location will begin on this Thursday May 28th starting at 12 pm to 7 pm.  Deliveries to your door will be either Thursday or Friday and you will be notified on which day your box will arrive. An email will be sent out to members later today to communicate the process for pick up and to confirm other information if you are delivery or have special circumstances we need to know about such as allergies or diets that have religious observance occurring. Each member has been provided Michael’s cell if you need to make contact please use it by text or call, the house line will be checked in the late day or early morning. We look forward to the first week. The last week we have planted a number of crops and will continue to plant this coming few weeks. The hot weather is just another twist for the growing season.  If you have not followed us or liked us on Facebook, please do, we will be posting pictures in the coming weeks and letting the public know what is happening on the farm.

Stay Well,

Sukyi and Michael

UPDATE MAY 18th, 2020

Since last Monday when we had two inches of snow at the home farm in Vaughan, we focused on preparing the fields making them ready for planting, about 38 hours went into that.  Tuesday, cultivated the onions that are coming up nicely, laid down the black tarp for early potted vegetable production that will mitigate some of the colder soil temperatures that came with the past weeks of below average air temperatures.  We planted another 900 pounds of seed potatoes, about 1 acre in now, we have six varieties in now. This past few days we have planted a significant amount of the 5 gallon pots with carrots, radishes, beets, zucchini, cucumbers, slicing cucumbers, pole beans. Two heirloom tomatoes for late season production under the hoop house, the varieties we have had good experience with them a number of times and will grow them in the soil for extra flavor profile. This rain today (expected to be 40-60mm will put us in a good position for beginning field plantings of seed crops, transplants will be determined in the coming 7 days with a close eye on two week forecast. We have a number of farmers who we have spoken to that we have been also buying from for many years and they have informed us about some of the impacts of cold weather, currently asparagus is in short supply due to the freezing, labour has also been a challenge due to the additional quarantine conditions placed on them by their local health departments. Day neutral strawberries were severely impacted for the late May, June period, we will know more in the next 7 days.  Fruit tree blossoms in Niagara have been opening the last few weeks and come crops may have also been impacted, this will be something we know more about in the next week. We are feeling very good right now about our production plans, the land is prepared, inventory of seed is on hand, additional seed is due in for mid week and we have labor available to get the farm moving forward. Our retail will remain closed for the next while, we will look towards June before we make a decision on opening it with processes that we understand will take COVID-19 into consideration.

Thank you for your continued support. Stay Well.

Sukyi and Michael

UPDATE MAY 10th, 2020

On May 9th, 2020 temperatures at our home farm fell to -5 C, on top of the last several weeks of unseasonal low night and day temperatures has negatively impacting early crops in Ontario. Yesterday morning we decided to move the pickup start date to Thursday May 28th, 2020 and deliveries will on Thursday, Friday, Saturday depending on what works for you and us. The 12 week program will simply shift and now end August 20th, 2020 (not in September as wrongly stated in Video). We hope you can understand this necessary change and it will benefit the members as more products will be available such as early fall squashes, some new crop varieties of apples, pears. We will be reaching out to all the members by telephone, text messages or emails to answer any questions. Thank you for your continued support. Front Step Farms, Inc.

Over the last 7 days, we have cultivated early plantings of peas, potatoes, weeded our sunflower seedlings that emerge each year from last years crop (we hope the snow yesterday gave them some insulation) worked the land in Virgil (Niagara-on-the-Lake), worked about 60 percent of the land base in Vaughan, fixed equipment, and filled 500 gallon pots for specialty plantings, set up pole bean trellis system, and followed up with those who filled out the submission form.  If you did not hear back from us in 24-48 hours, please call us at 905-237-2141 and let us know your contact information, we will get back to you soon.

Stay Well.

Sukyi and Michael

UPDATE MAY 3rd, 2020

We have continued to prepare for the first delivery date for May 14th, 2020. Lower then average day and night temperatures have delayed some plantings in Ontario, some of these products will  be 10-14 days behind unless temperatures in coming weeks are above normal. We received our first of two shipments from our seed supplier and will begin planting the cooler crops this week, we have already planted potatoes, onions and peas the last several weeks. We are planning to expand our production of cucumbers based on many of the members asking about them to be included weekly, this will also compliment tomatoes throughout the weeks. We have more updates in the coming days as we are now preparing land for our larger plantings of fall crops that will not be ready until after the 12 weeks are completed, in mid to late July we will assess how the season is progressing and make offerings to those who are already members.  We have added a phone number line in the submission so that we can reach you to talk to you about how a CSA program works and explain what the expected bell curve will look like, we take your support very seriously and are ensuring that we have had time to verbally answer your questions and make you aware of what to expect in the early weeks. 

We will begin adding photos of 2020 production and update you on our progression. Next week around Tuesday May 12th, 2020, we will be reaching out to you by the telephone numbers supplied to confirm the process of pick up.  If you have asked for delivery, we will be then asking for delivery payments so that we have it correctly separated from your payment of produce. 

Changes to communicate: 

1. We will be using cardboard boxes, not returnable containers, we feel that the additional cost to operate the weekly program will add a level of safety to our members, staff members and family.

2. We will deliver on either Thursday, Friday or Saturday based on the what aligns with our schedule and enable our members needs and requests to be respected. The process of delivery will be spoken to on an individual basis.

3. We  have listened to several suggestions and requests regarding allergies, religious observations, and size of box for homes that do not have 4-5. We will create exceptions based on those points and do what is necessary to support those who have informed us during our verbal conversations, we will be going over this again before we begin to ensure we have understood each other. 

4. Add on. we have a plan for pickup using our circular drive way directly in front of the house, it will be like a drive thru pick up that you do not have to get out of your car. We are considering having prepacked in paper bags some of the more popular items, upon pick up you will be able to communicate to us if you wish to add more of certain items.  Your purchases would be totaled and we will send a bill to your email and you can pay it later that day or the next as you did pay your membership. 

Thank you for your time to please contact us if you have any suggestions, questions or concerns.

Sukyi and Michael

UPDATE APRIL 21st, 2020

eat@frontstepfarms.com

We have now figured out the issue with the link of our email  (THANKS NICK J.!!!) You now click on it. We are very appreciative of all the inquires and those who are joining the CSA.  We have been working on some new plantings the last few days and we ask your patience for us getting back to you. We will do our best to be to you within 24-48 hours to discuss the details of the box.

Stay Well

Sukyi and MIchael

Michael’s cell 6475018999

UPDATE APRIL 12TH, 2020

We have begun the development of this site to allow for those who wish to know more and interact with us when they become members, please be patient as we are learning how to construct this website ourselves. 

If you want to review details of the CSA, please take the time to review the updates below, feel free to call us if you wish to talk about it and get a complete understanding of the program. You can reach us at 905-237-2141.

We wish to sincerely thank all those who have signed up and made their payments, for those who have expressed interest we will follow up this week.

Thank you for your time,

Sukyi and Michael

Welcome to Front Step Farms, Inc. 

OUR FARM PLAN DUE TO COVID-19

Please excuse the format of this website, it’s the next rain day job. Right now we are focused on farming.  Below the green section is a submission form that you can fill out for our CSA.

12 Weeks of Local food for $495.00, please review and contact us.

UPDATE APRIL 10th, 2020 RE: Weekly CSA BOX
We have kept the previous updates available so you can understand our production plans that are focused on supplying customers with a weekly box.

SCROLL DOWN THRU THE PAST UPDATES, YOU CAN SUBMIT YOUR INFORMATION AND WE WILL FOLLOW UP WITH YOU, only hit submission button once, it will not prompt you.

Ask any questions, we will be happy to speak to you 905-237-2141. 

UPDATE APRIL 3rd, 2020 RE: Weekly CSA BOX

We thank every one who has contacted us regarding our weekly box. We have had many inquires and appreciate those who have submitted the online form below, please only send once as it will not prompt you to let you know it went thru.  You can follow up with a contact to our phone number at 905-237-2141 leave your name and state your phone number slowly and clearly please, we will return the call with the following day (we are now working frequently outdoors and messages will be checked at the noon hour and end of day).  We have the ability to have multiple pick up days and will be adjusting pick-up days based on participation, this will be communicated to the members in early May prior to our first distribution at the Vaughan home farm. We are currently focusing on a pick up model, but will be expanding the delivery option as their has been inquires.  Should any member or a members of their family demonstrate symptoms or you suspect, or have COVID19 diagnosis WE MUST BE INFORMED IMMEDIATELY BY EMAIL, TEXT MESSAGE OR BY PHONE MESSAGE, we will then convert your participation into a delivery situation to your porch or entrance of your building where possible, we will have a nominal charge ($5.00-$7.50/week added to your box cost). If you cannot pick up your box, we will allow for alternative arrangements but we must be informed in advance and have this confirmed back to you (we will be following strict onsite Biosecurity protocols and members will be aware of what we expect of them or those picking up on their behalf).  We will be implementing protocols that will include a numbered box system that is assigned to a member, we will ask that they properly clean and disinfect the container prior to return (we will do this again prior to any reuse, you will be getting your same container back) For those who have informed us of a COVID19 illness, we will not be doing a recycled container program, that will convert into a cardboard box/bag system as to eliminate any problems that reuse of containers may present to others. If and when we open the retail, we will not be operating the separate areas with the same staff, we will keep all CSA processes (packing, pickups, etc.) separate. We will continue to update via this website and Facebook. When we get to our capacity to properly service the members, we will make an update on this page.  The support we have received via Facebook, telephone conversations has been greatly appreciated, we are able to farm in 2020 because of the support by our community, friends, family and suppliers.

Stay Well,
Sukyi and Michael
905-237-2141
Michael’s cell 6475018999

UPDATE March 28th, 2020

12 weeks for $495.00 of local food, please review and contact us.

We are doing what we can to farm and serve our community.

We are currently accepting members for our Weekly Box Program, also known as Community Supported Agriculture “CSA”, scroll down to view the details, we have made significant changes that we hope can enable those who wish to participate.

Our retail will remain closed for shopping until further notice, visit this website or Facebook @frontstepfarms page for updates.

Please do not visit the farm production sites before you call or email us, confirmation of an appointment is required. We will have no pick your own operations or farm tours happening for biosecurity reasons, we take this pandemic very seriously.

We are farmers, helping other farmers so that we can provide for our fellow citizens.

eat@frontstepfarms.com 

 or 905-237-2141

Community Supported Agriculture “CSA”

This is what we are planning for $495.00 for the Weekly Box

The day of the week will be established based on membership volume.

• 12 weeks of mixed in season fruit, vegetables, herbs and other foraged foods as available. (reduced from 20 weeks, investment lowered by $405.00 and a lower weekly cost of $3.75).
  • Paid by interact transfer, cheque or cash (receipts to be provided).
  • 5-15 items depending what is seasonally available, a bell curve type availability.
  • Two equal payments to be made on or before April 15st, 2020 and May 1st 2020.
  • A discount of $25 can be deducted when paying in full before April 1st resulting in a price of $470.00.
  • Delivery price is available at an additional cost, this will be determined based on demand.
  • A commitment is required and acknowledge the program payments are non-refundable for any reason.
  • Start date is anticipated to be as early as beginning of May based on what is available in Ontario.
  • As more items are in season the amount received will increase, the first few weeks will have a limited offering just so you can know what to expect.
  • We will as we have in the past also purchase from other Ontario farmers, our goal is to increase our production this year to mitigate any supply issues from others.
  • No switching will be permitted, we will acknowledge if you do not wish certain items and make effort to replace with similar value products when possible.
  • Your box will not be held past the cut off time to pick up unless special arrangements have been agreed upon.
  • All food safety protocols and farm biosecurity rules will be required of members.

We have been providing this service for nearly seven years and have had enough feedback regarding diversity, volume and will create when possible smaller bunches of certain vegetables. We did preserve a number of products last year and in the early weeks of the program we will include some of them in the program.

We hope we can help you and sincerely appreciate the support to overcome many obstacles we know many other farmers are facing.

You can fill out the contact form below, email us directly to eat@frontstepfarms.com or call us at 905-237-2141 and leave a message please.

Thank you.

Sukyi and Michael
Front Step Farms, Inc.
Michael’s cell 6475018999