Shopping
Do I need an account?
No. You can order as a guest. With an account you see your orders, can review farms and reorder faster.
How do I find farms near me?
Enter your postcode – we show verified farms within the chosen radius (10–100 km) with distance, range and seals, also on the map.
What does "HOFARO verified" mean?
We checked the farm's company name, address and tax number/VAT ID. Organic, Demeter, Bioland, Naturland, Halal and other seals are shown only with verified proof.
Can I order from several farms at once?
One farm per order – keeps pickup, delivery and contact clear. Simply place another order for a second farm.
How do I receive my goods?
Depending on the farm: pickup at the farm or a pickup location (farm shop, market stall, pickup station), delivery by the farm within its radius, or parcel shipping (DHL, DPD, Hermes, GLS) with tracking.
How do I pay?
Cash on pickup/delivery or bank transfer to the farm (IBAN in the confirmation). Online payment (card, PayPal, Apple Pay) is coming.
When is my order binding?
Clicking "Place binding order" submits an offer; the contract is concluded when the farm confirms. You get an email for every status change, optionally an SMS.
Returns and complaints
Can I return food?
For perishable food (fruit, vegetables, eggs, dairy, meat, bakery) there is no right of withdrawal by law (§ 312g (2) no. 2 BGB). Non-perishable goods (honey, jam, flour, oil, drinks) can be withdrawn within 14 days if unopened.
Goods damaged, spoiled or missing?
Report within 48 hours of receipt via "Report a problem" in your order (with photo). The farm decides on refund or replacement and informs you by email. Your warranty rights remain.
Who is my contract partner?
The respective farm. HOFARO brokers and provides the platform. Farm details are on its page and in the confirmation.
Account, data, security
What data does HOFARO store?
Only what is needed for order and account: name, email, phone, address, orders. No tracking cookies, no ads, no transfer to third parties except the farm and – for shipping/SMS – the carrier or SMS provider. Details in the privacy policy.
How do I delete my account?
Under "My account → Delete account". Order data is anonymised and kept only for statutory retention (up to 10 years).
How secure is my data?
Encrypted transmission (HTTPS), hashed passwords, servers in Germany, daily backups. We store no card data.
Forgot your password?
"Forgot password" on the sign-in page – you receive a link valid for 2 hours.
For farms and producers
Who can sell?
Farms, nurseries, apiaries, farm bakeries, dairies, butchers with their own production and valid registration (tax number/VAT ID). Pure traders without own production cannot.
What does HOFARO cost?
See terms. Pilot phase: €0 and 0 % commission.
How fast am I activated?
Usually within 1–2 working days after review. You can add products right away; the farm becomes visible after activation.
What legal points must I observe?
Food labelling (FIC: ingredients, allergens for packaged goods), base prices, hygiene rules, own invoicing. "Organic" only with valid EU organic certification. The product form has fields for all of this.
Can I manage via Telegram?
Yes. Enter your Telegram chat ID in the farm profile (the bot @hofaro_bot tells you) and manage prices, stock, photos and orders by message – e.g. "strawberries 4.20", "potatoes sold out", "HF-… shipped, DHL 1234…".
How do I print labels?
In every order: "Label + packing list (PDF)" – A6 with address, barcode and QR. Scanning the barcode in the orders area opens the order.
Money and payouts (for farms)
When do I get my money?
Every Monday for all delivered orders after the protection period (48 h perishables / 14 days non-perishables). On average 5 days after the sale, 9 at most. Pilot phase: customers pay cash or by transfer directly to you. Details: Payouts & fees.
How long does money wait in the pool?
2 to 9 days, held in escrow by the payment provider. HOFARO holds no customer money.
What does a refund cost?
Nothing extra. The refunded amount is offset against your next payout and the commission on it is credited back.
What if I don't confirm an order?
After 24 hours it is cancelled automatically and the customer pays nothing. Frequent cancellations lower your ranking.
Contact
Email: [info@hofaro.de] · reply usually within one working day.