Drive-Through Market FAQ

Market and Ordering Logistics

How do I stay up to date, and know when to order?What are the details for each market?How does the market work?How do I order?Is there any way that I should prepare for the market? 

Technical Issues:

I can’t remember what timeslot I was supposed to come...How do I switch my pick-up location?Oops. I ordered and now I can't come. Can I get a refund? 

Logistical Questions

How much of my food costs go to the farmer?What about inclement weather?What safety measures are in place?Are there other ways that I can support Local Food Hub in this time?  How do I stay up to date, and know when to order?If you would like to receive email updates on future markets, and notifications for when shopping opens, fill out this form.Sales for the Wednesday market will open Thursday at 3pm, and close, and close at 2pm Monday.Sales for the Friday market will open Monday at 3pm, and close at noon Thursday. What are the details for each market?Both markets are 3:30 to 5:00pm in the KMart parking lot off of Hydraulic  (1801 Hydraulic) Guest vendors will be announced on social media and in market emails. Details on recurring vendors can be found here. How does the market work? Come prepared with the list of vendors that you ordered from easily accessible. If someone else is picking up for you, please make sure they know the vendors as well. 

• If you can have your name displayed boldly against the glass of your windshield, please do.  If it isn’t visible enough for the farmers to easily see, don’t worry, we’ll give you a tag on the outside of your car.
• Pull into Kmart parking lot within your assigned time. Please note that it is illegal to make a left-hand turn into the parking lot off Hillsdale and plan accordingly.
• Drive past Gold’s Gym, to the second section of the parking lot. 
• Drive the length of the parking lot, until you reach the covered area. LFH staff will be waiting. Roll down your passenger window to tell us the name that you used when signing up. If needed, we will put a temporary nametag on your car and open your trunk (holding a clorox wipe)
• Drive to the end of the parking lot - the first vendor will be on your left. 
•  Your trunk will remain open as you drive around the perimeter of the lot collecting your orders. Please keep vendors to the  passenger side of your car at all times.
• Each producer will place your order directly into your vehicle.  
• When you've completed the pick-up loop, another LFH volunteer will close your trunk or door, and remove the nametag if needed.

**Please do not get out of your car at any point.**

 How do I order?To sign up, follow this link. Note that we have two different markets, with different vendors and days. 

• Create a customer profile, if you have not shopped at our market before

• Once your customer profile is created, or if you are a repeat customer, go to “shop.”

• Add a timeslot to your cart. Please do not skip this step.

• Enjoy shopping from a variety of local vendors
• Check out!

 Is there any way that I should prepare for the market?Before you come to the market, think about the size of your order. Is your trunk clear enough for your order? If possible, please come with your own sign with the order name clearly printed and displayed on your dash.Before coming, please note which vendors you ordered from. If picking up for someone else, get the list from them before coming. I can’t remember what timeslot I was supposed to come...The time that you selected when you ordered is your timeslot. It should show up in your confirmation email that lists your purchases.  If you are still unsure of your timeslot, you may come at any time. We ask that you stick to your original timeslot – this is important for making sure everything runs smoothly.  How do I switch my pick-up location?On the shopping page, click the top bar, where it states the day of the market you are set to. A box will pop up, giving you the option to “Change Location.” Click that box, and select the day that you want to shop for. Oops. I ordered and now I can't come. Can I get a refund?If you are unable to pick up your order, you must let us know by the end of the market (5:00 day of) by texting (434) 430-5548 or emailing (market@localfoodhub.org). In that case, we will hold your nonperishable items for a week and farmers will keep or donate the perishable items. If you don't contact us, no items will be held or credited for. How much of my food costs go to the farmer?100%!  We strive to keep it this way for the farmers, and while the customers' processing fee and membership fee offest our costs, the high technology costs of a market like this exceed these customer fees.  Paying the credit card processing fees and platform fees on behalf of the vendor means we count on your support to continue the markets.If you would like to support market administration, there is an option to “buy” ‘Market Support’ in the online store. What about inclement weather?We will communicate clearly via email and social media if the market is ever impacted by inclement weather. To date, the market has only been rescheduled once, due to an ice storm. What safety measures are in place? We have a handwashing station for the vendors, and they also use hand sanitizer and do not touch cars at all. Any LFH staff who touch your car will use a clorox wipe. Everyone will wear a face mask. We will only bring healthy workers to the market and we ask that you only send healthy drivers to pick up. Are there other ways that I can support Local Food Hub in this time?Yes! To donate to support our overall COVID-19 response efforts, go here.To purchase a share of food for the vulnerable in our community, add “Fresh Farmacy Share” to your cart while shopping.To support the drive-through markets, add “Market Support” to your cart while shopping.