<h2>Its Bakery Month - A wonderful selection for you</h2> <p>The smell and taste of fresh-baked bread can be a truly special part of everyone's day. This January its <strong>Bakery Month</strong> and we have assembled four of the very best bakery options for you to fill your pantry, three of them based right here in Edmonton. Read below for an overview of your choices including a very generous promotion from our newest addition, Bon Ton Bakery. They are offering 250 loaves of complimentary organic whole wheat bread for our members to try this week. These bakers are committed to the finest quality ingredients, the best hand-rolling and kneading practices, and the best quality flour in our city. Lets welcome Bon Ton to our food family by overwhelming them with orders this week.</p> <p><strong>Some Troubling Media Reports This Week</strong></p> <p>Many of you will have seen the media reports this week about the Organic sector in Canada, and the results of trace testing on organic products by the CFIA. I read the results with interest, and they only make me more committed to our cause and our mission. Since the 1950s there has been exponential increases in the levels of chemical pollutants added to our soil, and higher and higher levels of contaminants in our water table. These products do not disappear over time, they build up in the environment. The organic food movement both in Canada and globally is working to remove these contaminants from the ecosystem but it is a generational fight and it will take decades to reverse these impacts.</p> <p><strong>Organic Has Lower Levels of Residues</strong></p> <p>The study showed two key results that are encouraging to us. The first is that there was residue on less than half of the organic samples tested (45.8%) and that the levels of these residues were significantly lower than conventional. The second is that Organic apples were found to have 0.02ppm of<span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18px; FONT-SIZE: 12px">thiabendazole, while conventional had 0.3ppm - this level is 15 times higher than Organic. Residue levels this low on organic apples can be attributed to drift from other neighbouring conventional growers and continuing residue levels in the soil and water table. However, I would gladly choose an Organic apple that has 15 times less residue than conventional.</span></p> <p>As an <a title="organic fruit grower myself" href="/featured-producer-profile.aspx?id=534" target="_blank">organic fruit grower myself</a>, I am subject to strict planning, inspection and compliance regulation by the Canada Food Inspection Agency. No amount of inspection and regulation will change the fact that up until a few years ago our soil was contaminated every year with conventional pesticides and fertilizers, that my neighbours still spray their crops with conventional products that can drift if the wind shifts unexpectedly, and that we share our water table with our entire community. However, I do not apply prohibited products directly to any of the food I grow, I work tirelessly to ensure that we don't inadvertently contaminate our food at any point in the supply chain from our farm to your kitchen, and I stand behind what we grow and I am proud to be a member of the Organic Community.</p> <p><strong>Relationships are the Best Way to Know</strong></p> <p>Since the very first day we opened our doors at The Organic Box, the food in your box has been grown based on relationships. When we are bringing food from far away, even as far as <a title="Mexico and South America" href="/this-week-at-the-The-Organic-Box-archive-item.aspx?id=1588" target="_blank">Mexico and South America</a>, often the only assurances we can have that people are acting appropriately and complying with organic principles is through our relationships with them. We have built those relationships back through our supply chain and I have complete confidence in the growers who supply our food both in the winter and the summer - that they are as committed to organic food production as I am, and that the health of their ecosystem, their workers, and their customers truly matter and form the principles for their food operations. You will never see food from an industrial farm in your box, you will never see food that has not been inspected in your box, and you will never have to wonder if the food you get from The Organic Box isn't what it seems to be. Its our brand-trust to you.</p> <p><strong>We're Ready for 2014</strong></p> <p>Our team, our vans and our warehouse is ready for 2014. We're so excited about the coming year and everything it offers. It will be our fifth year since opening and looking back on the growth we've experienced and the way our growing community has worked with the Edmonton community to bring a new way of getting food in your fridge is so gratifying for Miranda and I. We are grateful for everyone's support and have made a significant impact on the organic food industry in our province. Thank you for your support. It is truly appreciated.</p> <h2><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18px; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; FONT-SIZE: 12px; FONT-WEIGHT: normal">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!</span></h2> <p>Havea Great Week!</p> <p>Danny.<br />Founder, The Organic Box.</p> <h2>FeaturedProducts and Producers:</h2> <table cellspacing="15" cellpadding="0" bgcolor="#edf0e9"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" align="center"><p><img title="bontonbakery" alt="bontonbakery" src="/uploadedImages/009_-_This_Week/bontonbakery.JPG" /></p> <p><img title="prairiemill" alt="prairiemill" src="/uploadedImages/009_-_This_Week/prairiemill.jpg" /></p> </td> <td><h2>Bon Ton Bakery!</h2> <p>We love our bakers. They work all night to send us freshly baked goods everyday and their breads and buns are delicious. <br /><br />Thanks <strong>Prairie Mill Bread Co. Edmonton, Silver Hills Bakery, Confetti Sweets</strong>, AND our brand new bakers at<strong> Bon Ton Bakery</strong>! <br /><br />We are very excited to have Bon Ton's baked goods available for members of The Organic Box. They have 5 special organic recipes that use local organic flour from Gold Forest Grains. A dark rye, heritage whole wheat, heritage multi-grain, whole wheat buns, and snacker crackers. <br /><br />To herald their arrival, Hilton and Michelle from Bon Ton have agreed to bake <strong>250 sample loaves </strong>of heritage whole wheat bread for us (for the next 3 weeks)! First come, first served, and a<strong> limit of 1 per customer</strong>... so that everyone can get a taste.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="center"><img title="roastedtomatillo" alt="roastedtomatillo" src="/uploadedImages/009_-_This_Week/roastedtomatillo.jpeg" /></td> <td><h2>Roasted Tomatillo Salsa</h2> <p>This week we are having a Mexican Fiesta!! We have tomatillos, red/yellow onions, garlic, roma tomatoes on the vine, jalapenos, cherry bomb peppers, cilantro, limes, tortillas... the list goes on and we are ready for a party. Warm up those bellies and grab your sombrero and try this recipeout: <br /><br /><strong>Roasted Tomatillo Salsa</strong></p> <p>Makes2/3 cup <br />3 - tomatillos <br />1 - medium red onion <br />1 - teaspoon olive oil <br />/3 - bunch fresh cilantro, stems included <br />1 - large clove garlic <br />1/2 - lime, juiced <br />kosher salt to taste <br /><br />1. Oven 450 degrees F <br />2. Remove tomatillos from their outer leaves and discard the leaves. Tomatillos will feel sticky. Rinse and halve tomatillos then place on parchment paper lined baking sheet. Quarter onion and place on pan with tomatillos. Drizzle olive oil over vegetables and lightly season with kosher salt. Place in oven and roast for 20-30 minutes until lightly browned. <br />3. Let vegetables cool slightly and then place in food processor. Be sure to include the drippings from the pan. Add cilantro, garlic, and lime juice, then puree. Add kosher salt if necessary. Serve with chips, over delicious Chile Relleno, or other Mexican dish.</p> <p>Recipe and Photo from <a href="http://www.food52.com">www.food52.com</a></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="center"><img title="Certifiedeggs12" alt="Certifiedeggs12" src="/uploadedImages/009_-_This_Week/Certifiedeggs12.jpg" /></td> <td><h2>Eggs Eggs Eggs! </h2> <p>We have the best eggs. Seriously. The. BEST. EGGS. </p> <p>There is no reason to be buying eggs from anywhere else since in our partnership with Sunworks Farm we have secured a steady supply of <strong>local, certified organic, certified humane, delicious, nutritious chicken eggs</strong>. </p> <p>If you haven't tried them yet, now is the time, and you'll love them forever. <br /><br />To coincide with our Mexican Fiesta... try out some <strong>Huevos Rancheros </strong>this week! </p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>
