THIS WEEK

Its Market Season!

The long weekend in May means the start of camping season in Alberta - but is also means the start of the outdoor farmers' markets. This year in Alberta we have 130 markets across the province. What an excellent way to connect directly with producers and small craftspeople. Over the past few years we have brought our products to farmers' markets in Edmonton but have decided this year to forgo attending the markets. With so many families on our wait list it seemed a better choice to focus our efforts on servicing the home delivery market and let our growing partners focus on selling at markets. We also had some strong feedback from some of the market leadership that our mix of local and non-local organic fruits was not really welcomed at the markets, and they would prefer to focus on local growers irrespective of the growing practices used.

The Organic Box AND The Farmers' Market

Our program is designed to complement the farmers' market - not replace. If you don't have time to regularly attend the markets in the city we offer an excellent way to access many of the same products you will see there. If you are regular market attendee, we can help fill in the gaps for items you don't get at the market. Many members go to the market to meet and visit with the growers, buy a few things but still get the bulk of their products in the box, knowing that their money is still going directly back to the producers. If you see a producer at the market that offers their products through the box, say hello to them and let them know what you think of the program and the box! The Organic Box provides an excellent additional selling channel for these farmers but they still want to hear your feedback and still think of you as 'their' customer and want to know you.

Where you can find our growers

Here is another quick chart showing what markets our major growers sell at:

Peas on Earth Organic Garden	Old Strathcona Market, St Albert Market and Callingwood Farmers Market (Wednesdays)
Sundog Organic Farm	City Centre Market on 104 Street
Sunrise Gardens	Old Strathcona Market
Halwa Farms	Pangaea Market, 104 Street and 101 Ave in Edmonton
Just A Mere Organic Farm	"The Organic Fruit Truck" - our food truck can be found at major festivals and markets this summer
Meadow Creek Farms	Mandy has a CSA program available in the Edmonton area
Shady Lane Berry Farm	U-Pick available in Lac La Biche. An excellent day out for the family in July.
Roy's Raspberries	U-Pick in July - on Highway 16A West of highway 60.
Sparrows Nest Organics	124 Grand Market, Thursday nights on 124 Street at 107 Ave

More Opportunities to Learn about GMO Foods in our City

On May 25, a rally is being planned near the Old Strathcona Farmers Market to raise awareness of the presence of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) in our food system. I have written extensively about our position on GMO foods (GMO and You, A Moment of Truth for Organics) and we strongly support this event. Certified organic by definition means non-GMO (though this may change in future unless the public speaks up). Here are some details:

MarchAgainstMonsanto The 'March Against Monsanto'

March Against Monsanto Edmonton is as much about joining with our community in celebrating sustainable food, as it is about rallying against a corporate giant that has proven itself to be an enemy of small organic farmers, who are at risk of seed contamination through natural processes (wind, insects, etc). Learn more about Monsanto, GMO foods and Roundup, patents on seeds and second-generation crops, and how we can make better choices in the everyday foods we eat by demanding GMO labeling. March Against Monsanto Edmonton supports the 'Right To Know' which food products contain GMO. They also are demanding regulatory change in Canada to ensure that only products that are proven to be safe are allowed into our market. They are actively involved in making sure the next round of GMO foods are not allowed into our food system – GM Apple, GM Alfalfa and GM Wheat.

This event is a public outreach to provide awareness about how to avoid GMO foods, to advocate for GMO labeling, and to highlight sustainable food production.

Help protect our our right to choose what we eat and to protect the environment from GMO contamination. Come to the March May 25th to march in solidarity with other Edmonton families! Please be prepared for 45 minutes of walking, rain or shine. The march is at noon and the rally in the park will begin at 1pm.

Click here for a link to the Facebook Page for Details

OUR WAITLIST IS STILL GROWING

Miranda and I feel very strongly about ensuring that everyone gets a quality product from us every time they order. We call this our 'Fair Deal' - fair for the growers, fair for us and fair for the member. Since the new year we have been experiencing substantial growth and so we must balance serving our existing members against bringing on new families. The best way to ensure this is to manage our rate of growth using a waitlist. Many of you who have been with us since 2011 will remember we had a similar challenge in the spring of that year too. Currently we have over 200 families on our waitlist. We have broken the weeks into segments and if you look at our signup page you will see what week we are projecting your first delivery if you signup today. Our mission is to bring our food to everyone and anyone who wants it and we pledge to bring as many people on as possible.

At The Organic Box we are always growing, always looking for ways to get better, and always trying to find ways to get more of your shopping basket filled by Alberta and BC food producers. We can do it! You are helping!

Have a Great Week!

Danny.
Founder, The Organic Box.

Featured Products

It's BBQ Season!!

The weather has been fantastic and it's finally time to dust off the old BBQ, rake up the lawn, plant the garden, and then enjoy some tasty burgers with some friends in the backyard. Sunworks Farms has provided us with amazingly tasty beef burgers, and for the next two weeks they'll be on special, 10% off!! We're really excited to try these beauties out. Pair it up with some BBQ sauce from Honey Bunny, as well as organic ketchup and mustard! Get ready for the May Long weekend the right way. Eat organic, local, and healthy.

Local Produce on the way!

You know it's spring when Eric at Peas on Earth answers the phone on his tractor. Getting the land ready for seeding is a major part of spring chores out on the farm, and is also a great indicator of things to come. Early crops that have been established in the greenhouses are ready for harvest, and this next week we are all in for an amazing treat! Fresh spinach and arugula from Peas on Earth are on the way. These beauty greens are so so tasty, and set the bar for the great produce that is coming at all summer long. So get those salad bowls ready!

Saturday Pick-up Hours

We will be open for pick-up from 9am to 1 pm on Saturdays. If you are on weekly delivery routes and would like to switch to a Saturday pick-up box please let us know. For Saturday pick up members, we take 'Choose Your Box' orders until 9am Wednesday morning and the produce arrives on Thursday and Friday.

The Organic Box: Week of May 21 - May 25, 2013

The Organic Box	The Organic Singles Box	Item	Producing Farm
	50 g	Pea Shoots - Local	Sunrise Gardens. Onoway, AB.
50 g		Salad Shoots - Local	Sunrise Gardens. Onoway, AB.
Bag		Yellow Potatoes - Local (T)	Halwa Farms. Thorsby, AB.
Bag		Spinach - Local	Peas on Earth. St. Albert, AB.
	Bag	Salad Greens - Local	Peas on Earth. St. Albert, AB.
	2 lbs	Red Potatoes - Local	Peas on Earth. St. Albert, AB.
Bunch	Bunch	Green Onion - Local	Peas on Earth. St. Albert, AB.
1/2 lb	1/2 lb	Crimini Brown Mushrooms - BC Local	Monafoods. Edmonton, AB.
Bunch		Broccoli	Josie Braga. California, USA.
	1	Cucumber - Field	Nature's Way. Mexico.
	2-3	Vine Tomatoes - Local	Mans Organics. Coaldale, AB.
1		Beefsteak Tomato - Local	Mans Organics. Coaldale, AB.
	Bunch	Kale - Green	Nature's Way. California, USA.
1		Eggplant - Black Stripe	Baja. Mexico.
Clam		Peppers - Mini Sweets	Del Cabo. Mexico.
1	1	Avocado - Haas	Pragor. Mexico.
1		Apples - Pink Lady	Stemilt. Washington, USA.
2		Grapefruit - Star Ruby	Earthborn. Texas, USA.
	2	Oranges - Navel	Tule Classic. California, USA.
2		Mango - Ataulfo	Purity. Mexico.
	1	Mango - Tommy Atkins	Del Cabo. Mexico.
6 oz.		Blueberries	Homegrown. California, USA.
Pint	Pint	Strawberries	JW Farms. California, USA.
Substitutions		Substitute items in the suggested box for an included or additional price.	Local: Frozen Peas, Arugula, Parsnips, Potatoes - Red Norland, Shallots, Yellow Onions, Broccoli Shoots, Live Wheatgrass/Petgrass, Salad Shoots, Sunrise Seasonal Salad Mix. BC Local: Frozen Blueberries, Mushrooms - Portabella, Mushrooms - Shiitake, Fiddleheads, Red Beets, Fresh Basil, Fresh Mint, Fresh Rosemary, Fresh Thyme, Bell Peppers, Beefsteak Tomato, Tomatoes - O Tommy. Import: Frozen Strawberries, Garlic - Colossal Italian, Mini Cucumbers, Potatoes - Red - PEI, Carrots - Bunched w/ Tops, Rhubarb, Chard - Rainbow, Lettuce - Green Butter, Lettuce - Radicchio, Lettuce - Red Leaf, Lettuce - Romaine, Fresh Cilantro, Fresh Dill, Parsley, Eggplant - Black Globe, Peppers - Jalapenos, Peppers - Mixed Mini Sweets, Peppers - Serrano, Broccoli Bunch, Cauliflower, Celery, Asparagus, Roma Tomatoes, Tomato - Heirloom Black Cherry, Tomatoes - Red Pear, Fennel, Peas - Sugar Snap, Leeks, Ginger Root - Yellow, Artichoke, Radish - Black, Radish - Red, Radish - Watermelon, Celeriac - Celery Root, Mixed Yams/Sweets, Sunchoke - White, Apples - Gala Bags, Pears - Bartlett - FT, Apricots, Apriums, Lemons, Limes - Persian, Oranges - Bag of Juicing Oranges, Oranges - Navel, Grapefruit - Oro Blanco, Grapefruit - Red Ruby, Mango - Tommy Atkins, Blueberries, Kiwi, Melon - Honeydew, Passion Fruit, Strawberries, Bananas - Fair Trade, Coconut, Watermelon.
Extra		Small Fruit Box Add on for $20	Get more fruit - including both seasonal favourites and standards.
Extra		Family Fruit Box Add on for $40	Double the fruit of the Small Fruit Box. For the serious fruit lovers!
Extra		New Office Box Add on for $50	Take a box of healthy, Organic fruit to the office. It's apple season! Put the potato chips away!
Extra		Sunworks Farm Meats Add on for $25-$100	Get set boxes of beef and chicken options delivered to your home from Sunworks Farm. Ron and Shelia run a certified organic, certified humane farm. Have confidence in the source and safety of your meat.
Extra		Bakery, Eggs and Dairy Various Prices	6 or 12 Farm Eggs, the whole lineup of bread from Prairie Mill Bread Co., and local organic milk from Vital Green Farms in Picture Butte, AB, and Rock Ridge Dairy in Ponoka, AB. Dairy products from Avalon and Goats Dairy from Fairwinds.
Extra		Dry Goods Various Prices	Organic Fair Trade Coffee, Tea, and Chocolate. Grains and Flours: Brown Basmati, Jasmine, and Long Grain Brown Rice, Whole Wheat Flour, Whole Wheat Pastry Flour, 7 Grain Cereal, Oatmeal, Cream of Wheat, Pot Barley, Split Peas, Green Lentils, Soy Beans, Qiunoa, Pancake Mix, Pastas, Buckwheat Flour, Rye Flour, Steel Cut Oats, Bulghur Wheat, Red Lentils, Red Fife Wheat. Grocery Items: Organic Enriched Soy Milk (Vanilla, Chocolate, Original), Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Anitas Organic Breakfast Boost (Chia and Hemp, Ancient Grain, Nut and Seed), PRANA Snacks (Maple Almonds, Cashews, and Trail Mix), Mighty Trio Culinary Oils (Hemp, Canola, Flax), Vegan Gummy Snacks, Dried Fruits (Banana Chips, Cranberries, Turkish Apricots, Mango, Raisins, Apple Rings, Medjool Dates), Crystalized Ginger, Cashews, Almonds, Nut Butters (Peanut, Almond, Cashew), Coconut Butter and Oil, Ketchup, BBQ Sauce, Salad Dressings, Juices, Tamari Soy Sauce, Veggie Snacks, Raw Organic Coconut Water, Tortilla Chips, Kale Chips, Kelp Noodles, Granola, Cookies, Pasta Sauce, Salsa, Dips... anything else you can think of and we will do our best to bring it in.