<h2>Fairtrade Fortnight May 1 to 15, 2014</h2> <table style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px"> <tbody> <tr> <td><h2>Not All Bananas are Created Equally!</h2> <center><p><img style="MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="NotTheSame" alt="NotTheSame" src="/uploadedImages/009_-_This_Week/NotTheSame.jpeg" /></p> </center><p style="MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: 100px"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 20px 10px 100px" title="FairTradeLogo" alt="FairtradeLogo" align="left" src="/uploadedImages/009_-_This_Week/fairtrade_logo.png" />In the past ten years, the global price for bananas has nearly halved while the cost of production has doubled. These bananas may look the same on the outside, but look deeper at how they are grown and how they are sold and you will find a big difference.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><img style="MARGIN: 10px 50px 10px 10px" title="WhereTheyGrowThem" alt="WhereTheyGrowThem" align="left" src="/uploadedImages/009_-_This_Week/Map.jpg" /><h2>Cheap Bananas are a threat to farmers' futures</h2> <p>By choosing Fairtrade bananas and other Fairtrade certified products, you are ensuring that farmers get paid a fair price for their products and can support their families and communities</p> <p>Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><img style="MARGIN: 10px 50px 10px 10px" title="TheyGrowThem" alt="TheyGrowThem" align="right" src="/uploadedImages/009_-_This_Week/TheyGrowTheBananas.jpg" width="400" /><br /><h2>Our Bananas Are Grown By Special People</h2> <p>Many agricultural producers in Peru are living in poverty. Most banana farmers are riddled with debt from previous year crop loans. There is no opportunity for education or advancement, leading to a cycle of poverty. Our support of Fairtrade bananas gives a way for these people to build better lives.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(138,167,103)"><h2 style="MARGIN-TOP: 20px">BOS Salitral - The Growers Collective</h2> <p style="COLOR: white"><img style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 20px" title="BOS Gate" alt="BOS Gate" align="left" src="/uploadedImages/009_-_This_Week/BOS.jpg" />BOS is an organic banana co-operative located in Salitral in the northern region of Peru. When you buy bananas from us, you are providing direct support to this group of small banana growers. Premiums pay for:</p> <ul style="LIST-STYLE-POSITION: inside; COLOR: white"> <li>Gender Equality Programs</li> <li>Healthcare and First Aid Training</li> <li>Earthquake Prepardness</li> <li>Cancer Education</li> <li>Agricultural Training</li> <li>Social Events</li> <li>Kids Summer Camps</li> <li>Microfinance Lending</li> <li>Harvesting Aids</li> <li>On-Farm Washrooms</li> <li>Farm Buildings</li> </ul> <br /><p style="COLOR: white" class="titleText">Learn more about <a href="http://www.bos-salitral.com/en/" target="_new">BOS</a> in our <a href="/featured-producer-profile.aspx?id=759" target="_new">Producer Profile</a> Section</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><h2 style="MARGIN-TOP: 20px">We have an excellent selection of Fairtrade and certified organic products to choose from.</h2> <p> </p> <table style="BORDER-BOTTOM: rgb(138,167,103) 1px; BORDER-LEFT: rgb(138,167,103) 1px; WIDTH: 600px; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-TOP: rgb(138,167,103) 1px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: rgb(138,167,103) 1px"> <tbody> <tr> <th style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(138,167,103); WIDTH: 50%; COLOR: white; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">Fresh Products</th> <th style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(138,167,103); WIDTH: 50%; COLOR: white; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">Chocolates</th> </tr> <tr> <td style="WIDTH: 50%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; MARGIN-RIGHT: 10px"><ul> <li>Bananas</li> <li>Avocados</li> <li>Honeydew Melons</li> <li>Mini Watermelons</li> <li>Cantaloupe</li> <li>Passion Fruit</li> <li>Star Fruit</li> <li>Grenadilla</li> <li>Bartlett Pears</li> <li>Field Cucumbers</li> <li>Yellow Ginger Root</li> </ul> </td> <td style="WIDTH: 50%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; MARGIN-RIGHT: 10px"><ul> <li>Baking Chocolates (60%, 70%, 90%)</li> <li>Assortment of Chocolate Bars</li> <li>Camino Chocolate Bars (Almond, Milk, Bittersweet)</li> <li>Camino Hot Chocolates (Milk, Dark, Chili)</li> <li>Hedonist Hot Chocolate</li> <li>Roasted Cacao Nibs</li> <li>Chocolate Chips</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <th style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(138,167,103); WIDTH: 50%; COLOR: white; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">Coffees</th> <th style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(138,167,103); WIDTH: 50%; COLOR: white; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">Sweeteners & Spices</th> </tr> <tr> <td style="WIDTH: 50%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; MARGIN-RIGHT: 10px"><ul> <li>Anurakti Teas</li> <li>Runa Teas</li> <li>Earth Coffee to support UN World Food Program</li> <li>Fresh Coffee from Earth's General Store</li> <li>NXT Coffees from their Special Hot Air Roaster</li> </ul> </td> <td style="WIDTH: 50%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; MARGIN-RIGHT: 10px"><ul> <li>Dark Brown, Light Brown, Powdered Sugars</li> <li>Bulk Cane Sugar</li> <li>Sea Salt (fine, coarse)</li> <li>Black Pepper</li> <li>Mayan Sea Salt</li> <li>Mulling Spice</li> <li>Raw Blue Agave Nectar</li> <li>Unrefined Cocoa Butter</li> </ul> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><img style="MARGIN: 20px" title="FairTradeBumper" alt="FairTradeBumper" align="right" src="/uploadedImages/009_-_This_Week/Bumper-sticker-EN-3.jpg" width="400" /><p class="titleText">Some Fairtrade Resources</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.fairtradeedmonton.ca/" target="_new">Fairtrade Edmonton</a></li> <li><a href="http://fairtrade.ca/" target="_new">Fairtrade Canada</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.fairtrade.net/" target="_new">Fairtrade International</a></li> </ul> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <h2>A price break for you.</h2> <p>I have dug deep into our numbers and consulted with our producers. One of our fundamental values is to ensure that producers get paid a fair price for their products while still giving value to our members, so we have decided to implement a pricing structure that will allow our members to buy more of their groceries from us while seeing some price relief.</p> <p>Effective April 27, we will be introducing the following structure: </p> <ul> <li>Spend $50 or more on any single order: Free Delivery</li> <li>Spend $100 or more on any single order: Save $10</li> <li>Spend $200 or more on any single order: Save $25 </li> </ul> <p></p> <p>Please take advantage of this promotion - it is a permanent change and we will run it through the summer and fall in an effort to give everyone a chance to try more local products while still saving some money. I welcome your feedback so please feel free to write to me about any comments you have and I will give you my thoughts: danny.feedback@theorganicbox.ca.</p> <p>At The Organic Box we are always growing, always looking for ways to get better, and always trying to find ways to fill more of your shopping basket with Alberta and BC food producers. We can do it! You are helping!</p> <p>Havea Great Week!</p> <p>Danny.<br />Founder, The Organic Box.</p> <a name="featured"><h2>FeaturedProducts and Producers:</h2> </a><table cellspacing="15" cellpadding="0" bgcolor="#edf0e9"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" align="center"><img title="Escarole Lettuce" alt="Escarole Lettuce" src="/uploadedImages/009_-_This_Week/Escarole.jpg" /></td> <td><h2>For the First Time - Escarole Lettuce!</h2> <p>This is a first for us - and maybe for you: fresh <strong>Escarole Lettuce </strong>in your box this week. Escarole is the lettuce that isn't really a lettuce. Escarole is a member of the <em><strong>Chicory</strong></em> family of lettuces and is characterized by large, dark-green leaves that have a mild flavor and crisp texture. Like romaine, leaf lettuce and other leafy greens, Escarole is a powerhouse of nutrition; it's rich in <strong>dietary fiber</strong>, <strong>vitamin C</strong>, minerals (<strong>calcium and iron</strong>) and antioxidant compounds. Escarole is delicious in soups, slightly wilted or sauted in stir-fries, and if you are feeling really adventurous, try it stuffed with your favorite veggiesand grilled. You will be pleasantly surprised and it might even become your favorite green!</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="center"><img title="Wild Leeks/Ramps" alt="Wild Leeks/Ramps" src="/uploadedImages/009_-_This_Week/ramps-360.jpg" /></td> <td><h2>It's Spring! Wild Leeks (Ramps) are Here!</h2> <p>Our friends at <strong>Mona Foods </strong>have delivered a fresh batch of <strong>Wild Leeks</strong>, alsoknown as<strong>Ramps </strong>from <strong>Michigan</strong>. Ramps are a <strong>wild onion </strong>native to North America. Though the bulb resembles that of a scallion, the beautiful flat, broad leaves set it apart. The flavor and odor of Ramps is usually compared to a combination of onions and garlic, and the garlic odor is particularly strong. Ramps add wonderful and uniquely pungent flavor to <strong>soups</strong>, <strong>egg dishes</strong>, <strong>casseroles</strong>, <strong>rice dishes </strong>and <strong>potato dishes</strong>. Use them raw or cooked in any recipe calling for scallions or leeks, or cook them in a more traditional way, scrambled with eggs or fried with potatoes. Since ramps aren't cultivated in the way leeks are, they're much easier to clean. Just cut off roots, rinse thoroughly, and scrub off any excess dirt on the bulbs.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="center"><img title="FTChocs" alt="FTChocs" src="/uploadedImages/009_-_This_Week/FairTradeChocolates(1).jpg" /></td> <td><h2>Canadian AND Fair Trade!</h2> <p><a title="Organic Fair's " href="http://www.organicfair.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Organic Fair's </strong></a>chocolates are the best treats you could ask for. Made in <strong>Cobble Hill, BC</strong>, from <strong>Fair Trade </strong>cocoa, these delicious treats are definitely worth your money. Organic Fair is a <strong>family run </strong>business located on a 5 acre <strong>Certified Organic </strong>farm on Vancouver Island. 100% of what they sell is manufactured exclusively with <strong>Certified Organic </strong>and <strong>Certified Fair Trade </strong>ingredients. They focus on delicious flavor combinations that use exceptional ingredients and because of this you will find all of their products reach the highest levels of quality. Specializing in <strong>chocolate</strong>, <strong>tea</strong>, <strong>coffee</strong>, and <strong>spices</strong>, Organic Fair is a manufacturer and supplier of premium products that we all love. Try'em this week and support Fair Trade!</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>
