Produce Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions regarding Urban Acres’ co-op style produce. If you can’t find your answer below, please email us at info@urbanacresmarket.com.

Joining & Payment

How do I join?
It’s easy!  Sign up here.

Do I have to be a member to shop at the farm store?
No, you don’t!  Becoming a member of Urban Acres gives you access to the co-op style produce, in-store discounts and other special deals!  Here’s how to become a member of Urban Acres.

Can I pay by credit card?
Yes! We accept credit and debit cards at our Oak Cliff farm store and for produce share payments (Visa, Mastercard, Discover).

Who do I make my checks out to?
All checks are made payable to Urban Acres.

What if I want to cancel my produce share and jump back in later?  Can I be put on “hold”?
Since we purchase the produce cooperatively together, you are always responsible for your share unless you cancel.  If you decide to drop out of the “co-op style produce,” just let us know.  All members are allowed one “free” hold period a year where they can stop receiving produce for a little while without having to pay any penalties.  After your one “free” hold period, you can go on hold again, but if you want to jump back in to the produce during your membership year, there is a $25 fee.  As a member of Urban Acres, you can still continue to receive your other member benefits even if you cancel your produce share.

I think I might have been double-charged for my first share…
As the membership form states, when you initially join, you are charged $64 for the membership and service fee plus either $50 or $30 for your first share (full or half).  The next time you are charged for your produce share is on your first pickup date and on every pickup date thereafter (every 14 days).  You are always pre-paying for the next share.  This allows us to purchase the produce for you.  So to clarify, on your first pickup date, you are actually being charged for your second share.

How do I update/change the credit card information for my account?
Current members who are on autopay and need to update their billing information can use this secure form.

Produce Info

Is all the produce local?
We are currently building relationships with over 25 different local farms.  As these relationships develop, you will be seeing more and more local produce in your share.  All of the produce is not currently local but it is all organic.  Because we live in North Texas, it’s very difficult to get organic produce and also have variety in what we receive.  In order to get things like bananas, avocados, and those Pink Lady apples that everyone loves, we have to reach out to other states like California, Florida, and Colorado. We decide what is in the share each week, and it will include local organic Texas produce as well as a variety of other organic produce items.

How many people will a produce share feed?
Each full share has roughly 30 pounds of produce.  Your family’s size and eating habits will determine how many people it can feed over a period of 2 weeks.  A couple who is committed to changing their lifestyle and does not eat out much will be well fed for 2 weeks.  Some families split a share with another family, and we have some passionate individuals at Urban Acres who finish a bin on their own!  Half-shares are also available.

How do I cook beets (or kale, or whatever!)?
We get questions all the time about how to cook certain produce and meats.  We’re a bunch of foodies and love helping you make the most of your produce, dairy, and meat!   So don’t be afraid to ask.  Email us at info@urbanacresmarket.com.  We’ll do our best to get back to you as soon as possible with a great recipe or an answer to your food-related question.

Some of my produce was bad.  What do I do now?
Our volunteers do their best to pick out any bad produce during the sort, but sometimes we miss things.  If you got any bad produce, email us at info@urbanacresmarket.com by Tuesday after the pick-up and let us know exactly what items were bad, the quantity, and what was wrong with it.  We would be glad to provide a replacement, no questions asked!

Produce Pick-Up Days & Times

What are your pick-up days and times?
Produce pick-up is every other Saturday at your chosen location.  Go to the produce pickup calendar for a schedule of all upcoming pickup days.  During the hot months we suggest you get to the pick-up location as close to the beginning of pickup as possible so your produce is as fresh as possible.

Where do I go to get my stuff?
Go to your Urban Acres location where you are enrolled to pick up your food.

What if I can’t pick up my produce this week?
Since we purchase the produce cooperatively together, you are always responsible for your share.  If you are out of town or for some reason can’t pick up your produce one week, there are a few options:

1. Have a friend or family member pick it up for you.  This is a great way for friends and family to try out the produce as well.
2. We can donate your share for you to one of the non-profits we work with.

Who gets the donated food?
We work with several local non-profits and needy families in Dallas who get the donated food.  See photos of Hillcrest House/AIDS Services Dallas with some of the donated food.  Any further questions please email us at info@urbanacresmarket.com.

If I donate my share to a family in need, can I get a tax receipt?
Because we are not a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, we cannot provide a tax receipt.

Meat & Dairy Info

How much does your chicken cost?
Pricing is subject to change as we are working with local farms, and products can vary.  Also, we can be out of stock on certain popular items from time to time. Ask us if you have any special requests, because we carry other items than are on this list, and special cuts of meat can be ordered upon request. Go to our Texas Products page to learn more about the organic, pasture-fed meats we carry.

Is the beef 100% grass-fed?
Yes, the beef we sell is 100% grass-fed.  This is important to know because the cattle are not only pastured, but they never touch grains.  Almost all natural grocery stores will sell you “grass-fed beef” but the cattle are fed grains in their final months to fatten them up.