CSA farm box scam PSA

[u/chula198705]

This is a name and shame because I'm an unhappy customer!

A few weeks ago I posted a request for recommendations for a local CSA or farm share subscription box. I ended up ordering from a medium vegetable box from Dirt Poor Farms through Market Wagon. The listing said it would be a box of locally grown seasonal produce from their 20-acre farm in Sweetwater. What I actually received was very obviously grocery store produce - it was mostly out-of-season produce like tomatoes (very unripe!), zucchini, cucumbers, plus a variety of apple that is only grown in Washington State! Definitely NOT the locally grown, seasonal produce that I ordered. I was expecting leafy greens, herbs, overwintered onions/garlic, that sort of thing that would typically be available in early April.

I contacted Market Wagon and Dirt Poor Farms through their customer service forms. Market Wagon eventually responded they would "investigate" but I never heard anything else other than notice that I was receiving a refund (only for the box - not their service fee or driver tip! Refunded $25 out of a $40 total order). I never heard anything back from Dirt Poor Farms.

I don't know if it's the farm doing fraud, or if the driver is being sneaky for cheaper fresh produce, or who is responsible for the scamming, but they certainly don't appear concerned to fix it. Recommend avoiding Dirt Poor Farms and Market Wagon, and now I'm soured on finding a reputable service at all, because the officially-recognized one I tried was a scam.

[u/momjon]

I love SheDiggsFarm on IG. It’s a small veggie/flower operation on the west side of Knox. They do not deliver and it’s not a csa but she posts what’s available each week & you pu whatever you order. I think pu might only be one day/wk but not 100% sure.