Eat your fruits and veggies the saying goes but it's not that easy for a busy family! Sometimes it's hard to get over to the Farmer's Market. Or the grocery store's produce looks so-so and comes from Chile, nowhere near being local. Or worst of all, you settle for mediocre fruits and veggies only to stuff them in a drawer and forget about them until they've gone bad and wasted your money. But there is a better way - The Produce Box! They deliver fresh, local produce and specialty products like meats, cheese, bread and a lot more to homes and offices all over North Carolina. As they say, "We bring the farmer's market to your door!" It's totally customizable - you can choose what you want to order and skip a week if you need to anytime. Produce box members support over 70 local farmers and give back to their communities and in return get to taste amazing foods delivered right to their door. "Our members are helping change the food system - one table at a time!"
So how does it work? Couldn't be simpler or more convenient. Start by signing up online - use this referral link for SoDu mom Jennifer Rollman. Once there choose a default box from among the many options. The Produce Box let me sample some delish fruits and veggies for this blog, and wow, the color explosion blew me away as soon as I removed the lid! I already took the bib lettuce out because the box was bursting full and you couldn't take a picture of it all. The citrus was juicy and fresh, the tomatoes (unlike greenhouse ones that sit there tasteless on a sandwich) were tender and sweet, my kids inhaled the perfectly ripe strawberries, and wow did the corn go fast. Picking my own favorites ensured that I wasn't stuck with something I wouldn't eat. Once you sign up they send an email the Friday after you join with your first week’s menu. Each week the menu features new boxes and individual items depending on what is in season and available. Then it's as easy as choosing a box and customizing! Just decide which box you’d like and any items to add or remove. Although I guess this could be hard depending on how indecisive you are about all the yummy options! All selections and changes need to be made by Sunday at 9pm for the upcoming week and if no selections are made, you’ll receive your default box. Nest thing you know, the delivery is at your door and you don't even need to be home to receive it. Finally, enjoy the fruits of your labor (and veggies too)! Haha!
So where did The Produce Box start? Like many SoDu Parents Posse families, with a mom here in the Triangle. In 2007 the founder Courtney Tellefsen was a stay-at-home mom in Raleigh, NC, with two children under five. She wondered:
- Where is my food coming from?
- Am I supporting farmers in NC when I buy from the local grocery store or online?
- I can’t get to the Farmers Market every week to buy produce (I wanted to - but you can imagine how that went with my 2- and 4-year old in tow!!)
Customers rave about The Produce Box - and you can see why! Just look at that delicious diverse box on the left!
"We've been customers for 1.5 years now and love the freshness and flavor of all the items, the diverse healthy foods we now eat and enjoy, the quality and consistency of what we receive and all while feeling good about supporting local farmers! 5 stars!"
- Diane
"Yeah, I still hope to be that reusable bag-wielding market-goer every Saturday morning, but signing up for The Produce Box delivery service ensures I’ll really consistently support local NC agriculture every week even when it doesn’t fit into my schedule. I give it two thumbs up." - Katie
"We've been customers for 1.5 years now and love the freshness and flavor of all the items, the diverse healthy foods we now eat and enjoy, the quality and consistency of what we receive and all while feeling good about supporting local farmers! 5 stars!"
- Diane
"Yeah, I still hope to be that reusable bag-wielding market-goer every Saturday morning, but signing up for The Produce Box delivery service ensures I’ll really consistently support local NC agriculture every week even when it doesn’t fit into my schedule. I give it two thumbs up." - Katie
So many exciting partnerships are formed with local companies and farmers and The Produce Box. The have just paired with Cloister Honey in Charlotte. Whipped Cinnamon Honey and Vanilla Infused Honey from their hives in Mecklenburg County has been on the box menu and wow was it popular.
Another example is Harris-Robinette Beef in Pinetops, NC. Their mission? "To provide environmentally sound, high quality, nutritious beef by raising our livestock exclusively on a grass-based system with no antibiotics, hormones or pesticides."
And what about coffee in those boxes? Customers who ordered Joe Van Gogh's Sea Turtle Blend knew that 10% of net profits went to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center.
Another example is Harris-Robinette Beef in Pinetops, NC. Their mission? "To provide environmentally sound, high quality, nutritious beef by raising our livestock exclusively on a grass-based system with no antibiotics, hormones or pesticides."
And what about coffee in those boxes? Customers who ordered Joe Van Gogh's Sea Turtle Blend knew that 10% of net profits went to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center.
Honestly, if you aren't already sold, get this. Every time you order from The Produce Box, you personally help send fresh produce to families who couldn't otherwise afford it. Donated boxes, select Community Boxes and donated bulk produce to local food banks connect The Produce Box members with our hungry community right here in North Carolina. Our Hero Boxes go to local heroes like firemen, police officers and other community helpers. Look at all the below organizations that The Produce Box can help!
And if you're looking for recipes for a new veggie you're trying out or want a twist on an old favorite, The Produce Box's facebook feed has lots of recipe ideas like this "Fantastic Greek Salad Dinner".
If your mouth is watering then you know thats a sign to give The Produce Box a try!
Just go here to sign up with SoDu mom and The Produce Box partner Jennifer Rollman.
You can also send her an email with any questions you might have here.
Soon you'll be on your way to a delicious and nutritious delivery!
www.theproducebox.com
If your mouth is watering then you know thats a sign to give The Produce Box a try!
Just go here to sign up with SoDu mom and The Produce Box partner Jennifer Rollman.
You can also send her an email with any questions you might have here.
Soon you'll be on your way to a delicious and nutritious delivery!
www.theproducebox.com
FCC Disclosure for bloggers: In exchange for a blog post here, I received free produce in order for me to experience their services and review them firsthand. However, the opinions contained here are my own.
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