Ordering and Delivery

Ordering

Choose your items from our store and add them into your shopping cart. When you've got everything you want, purchase your products with our simple online check-out system.

If you would prefer to place your grocery order over the phone, just give us a call at 607.342.6228.

Delivery Schedule

We deliver twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Tuesday deliveries are made between 12 noon and 7 pm. On Thursday we deliver only to customers who are getting a CSA delivery.  Order cut-off time for both days is Sunday at 12:00 noon. Any orders placed after that time will be delivered the following week.

Delivery Area

Our Tuesday delivery area includes Cornell, Ithaca College, the City and Town of Ithaca, Lansing, Trumansburg, West Hill, Newfield, Brooktondale, Ellis Hollow and "inner" Danby.  If we’re not in your area yet and you’d like us to be, give us a write at info@gardengatedelivery.com.

Cost of Delivery

The minimum order is $35 and there is a $5 delivery fee to all locations.

Drop-Off Location

Your groceries will be left in the spot designated by you when you make your order. We are happy to leave them on porches, in garages, at back doors or on stoops. Please contact us if you live in an apartment building or dorm with limited access.

Altering Your Order

Changes to your order may be made at any point up until Sunday at noon by calling us at 607.342.6228. Our system does not have the ability to accept changes but we’re happy to accommodate them manually.

Refrigerated Items

Refrigerated items will be packed in a reusable thermal bag with refrigeration when necessary.

If you prefer, you may leave your own cooler outside of the house with a blanket to fit inside and we strongly suggest you use a cooler if you won't be home for a milk or ice cream delivery. We'll put your perishables inside and wrap them in the blanket to keep the air from warming them. Using your own cooler packs is great, too-- just be sure to mark them as your own.

Return of Delivery Bags

The canvas delivery bags, thermal bags, cooler packs and boxes your delivery comes with can all be reused by us.  If you plan to order again within the next month or so you can hold on to them if you'd like.  If you'd prefer we come get them right away or don't think you'll be ordering again for a while, give us a write and we'll come by and pick them up.

If you like our delivery bags and would like one of your own, you can order one through the website.

Reuse of Product Packaging

Many of the jars, boxes and cartons your products come in can be reused or returned to the processor for recycling.  Our farmers love being reunited with egg cartons, canning jars and other glass jars.

Paying for Your Delivery

We prefer customers pay online with Mastercard, Visa or Paypal.  If you would prefer not to use a credit or debit card you may leave a check at your designated drop-off area. Checks should be made out to "Garden Gate Delivery." If your check is not at your drop-off area, we cannot leave your groceries and will only be able to accept credit or debit card orders from you in the future. Failure to leave a check will also result in a $5 restocking fee.

The Nature of Buying From the Farm

This is a good spot to mention what it’s like getting your food from a farm. Many of our products only come from one or two local farms and our offerings reflect the seasonal and serial nature of farms. Cheeses processed today will not be sold to eat for months. Hens have down time and do not lay eggs year-round. Popular cuts of meats will sell faster than others leaving a window between the last of the sale of one animal and the beginning of the sale of another. We don’t want to send an animal to slaughter for more bacon before the other parts have been sold.

We expect that rhubarb will be ready in April, strawberries in June, corn in August, pumpkins in October, and kale will be around in November (and maybe December and January and February…). When you eat local peaches that come ready in August, they are sweeter, more beautiful and better for you than the dry peaches shipped in from South America in February. This seasonality applies to buying eggs, meats, and dairy products as well.

Substitutions

If one of the items you order is temporarily out of stock, we sometimes substitute a similar item for your convenience. If there is a price difference in your favor we will issue a credit. If the substituted item costs more money, then please consider it thanks from us for your patience. It helps to know if a substitution doesn't work for you, so write us at info@gardengatedelivery.com if things don't quite work out right!