Here are the questions we hear most, answered in plain words.
Is it really free to send in a recipe?
Yes. Sending in a family recipe is always free. You print a blank recipe page at home, write your recipe by hand, and send us a photo or scan of it. That's it.
Do I still own my recipe?
Yes. Your recipe stays yours. You give us permission to use it in the way you choose, but you never sign it away.
How will my recipe be used?
When you fill out our form, you pick one of three choices. You can let us print it in our books and share it online. You can let us print it in our books only. Or you can ask us to keep it safe in our private archive, where no one else will see it. If your recipe is printed, the name, city, and state from your "From the kitchen of" line print with it.
Can I change my mind later?
Yes. Just reach out and let us know, and we'll leave your recipe out of future books and posts. If your recipe has already been printed or shared, those copies stay as they are, since we can't take back books that are already out in the world.
I don't have a printer. What do I do?
No problem. Email us at paul@evergreenrecipeproject.com with your mailing address, and we'll mail you a blank recipe page and a return envelope, free.
Grandma never measured anything. Can I still send it?
Absolutely. Those are the recipes we most want to save. Write it the way she made it, even if that means "a handful of flour" or "bake until it looks right." If you still can, sit with her while she cooks and write down what you see.
What if my handwriting is messy?
That's fine. Your handwriting is the whole point. Smudges, crossed out lines, and notes in the margin are all welcome. In the book, your recipe page is printed exactly as you wrote it, with an easy to read typed copy on the facing page. If we can't make out a word, we may email you to check.
Can I send more than one recipe?
Yes, send as many as you like. Just fill out our form once for each recipe, so every recipe gets its own number.
Will my recipe definitely be in a book?
We can't promise every recipe will make it into a book, but we try to include as many as we can. If your recipe arrives too late for one volume, it moves to the next one.
Will I get my original back?
No. Anything mailed to us becomes part of the archive and isn't returned. If the original means a lot to you, keep it and send us a photo or scan instead.
When does the next volume come out?
Volume One is planned for spring 2027. After that, a new volume comes out every few months.
What is the Mail Club?
Every month, Mail Club members get an envelope with one or two family recipe pages, the story behind each one, and a little something extra tucked inside. It opens November 5. Join the wait list here.
Where can I read the full agreement?
The answers above cover the main points in plain words. You can read the complete Recipe Submission Agreement here.