FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Real questions from real farm members. Pick a category, find your answer.
CSA Membership & Farm Card
Who can buy a Farm Card?
Anyone! Whether you cook every day or just love trying new ingredients, our Farm Card is open to all food-lovers in Waterloo Region and the GTA.
Do I have to commit to the whole season?
No. Your Farm Card works like a wallet. Spend it weekly, monthly, or whenever you want from when the store opens to season end. Balance rolls over up to two additional seasons.
Can I cancel after buying a share?
Yes, until June 9, 2026 for a full refund. After that, sales are final, but your wallet balance never expires within the rollover window.
Is this like a traditional CSA?
No mystery boxes. No rigid schedule. You decide what you get and when. Your share funds a wallet you spend on the harvest you actually want.
Ordering & Availability
When does the farm store open?
June 29, 2026. Pre-orders open earlier for share members.
When is the weekly order cutoff?
Sunday through Tuesday at noon. We dispatch home delivery Wednesdays and pickup hubs operate Saturday mornings.
What happens if a crop is unavailable?
We swap it out for another from the harvest list, or refund the wallet credit so you can use it elsewhere.
Can I top up my Farm Card anytime?
Yes. Top up by any amount, Interac e-Transfer or card, any time during the season.
Pickup & Delivery
Where are the pickup hubs?
On Farm (2669 Carmel Koch Road, Baden), Kitchener (200 Old Carriage Rd), Kitchener 2 (Forest Walk St), Waterloo (Cafe Pyrus Outpost), Cambridge (D&D African Food Market). Saturday mornings.
Where do you deliver?
Across Waterloo Region (zone A: Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph edge). Standard Wednesday delivery. Shipping rates apply for orders elsewhere in Ontario or Canada.
Can I visit the farm?
Yes, by appointment only. Email hello@truenorthtropical.com to schedule.
Payments & Pricing
What payment methods do you accept?
Interac e-Transfer (recommended) and credit card via Helcim. Interac e-Transfer earns an extra +2% wallet bonus.
Why the +2% on Interac e-Transfer?
Credit card processing costs us about 2%. We pass that savings back to you as additional wallet credit when you pay via Interac.
Is HST charged on farm shares?
Yes. HST is collected on the upfront farm share purchase. The wallet you spend on produce later is then non-taxable (since tax was already collected).
Using Your Farm Card
How do I spend my Farm Card wallet?
Log in, shop the store, and your wallet credit auto-applies at checkout. Tier discount also applies automatically on every produce order.
Do tier discounts stack with wallet credit?
Yes! Your tier discount (up to 20% for Bounty) applies first to the cart total, then your wallet covers what is left.
What if my wallet runs out mid-season?
Top up by any amount, any time. Or wait until next year and buy a fresh share.
Farming Practices & Food Safety
Are you certified organic?
We follow organic principles: no synthetic chemicals, building soil naturally, non-GMO open-pollinated seeds. We are a proud EFAO member. Full certification is on our roadmap.
Do you use synthetic pesticides or herbicides?
Never. Our soil and pest management is built on cover crops, compost, crop rotation, and beneficial insects.
Are the seeds GMO?
Non-GMO and open-pollinated. We save seeds across seasons.
What We Grow
What kinds of vegetables do you grow?
Afro-heritage staples: Ugu, Ewedu, Tete, Cameroon Pepper, Garden Eggs, Bitter Leaf, Water Leaves, Lagos Spinach, and more. Plus standards like tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and squash.
Can I see a harvest calendar?
Yes, link from the How CSA Works page. Updated as the season progresses.
Do you grow seedlings I can plant at home?
Yes! Visit the Nursery for seeds + seedlings + curated garden packages.
Quality & Experience
How fresh is the produce?
Harvested within days of pickup or delivery. We never cold-store. If you order Tuesday, you eat from Wednesday harvest.
What if produce arrives in poor condition?
Email us within 24 hours of pickup/delivery with a photo. We make it right with a credit or replacement.
Community & Farm Access
Can I bring my kids to the farm?
Yes! Members get featured invites to farm tours. We also run a Junior Grower Club for kids ages 4+.
Do you do volunteer days?
Yes, see the Volunteer page or join the Land + Volunteer newsletter for announcements.
How do I get involved beyond buying produce?
Join our team, volunteer, or share our story. Every connection helps the farm grow.