<h2>It's National Organic Week!</h2> Organic Week 2013 kicks off Saturday September 21 and runs until September 28. At The Organic Box, every week is organic week but we like to use this special week to highlight some of the things we do and why we do them. There are a variety of activities, promotions and events happening around the city and across the country this week. You can find out about them here: <a class=""design_selected_field"" href=""http://www.organicweek.ca"" target=""_blank"">Canada National Organic Week Website</a> <strong>Our Open House.</strong> On Tuesday September 24 from 3pm until 7pm we are opening our door to the public for an open house. Come down to our warehouse, meet our crew and see the operation, and even meet some of our local growers as they bring their harvests in for our members. We will have some awesome things to sample, a few activities for kids and lots to see and do so please come join us for a few minutes. Read about it here: <a href=""/uploadedFiles/005_-_Newsletter/2011/163OrganicWeek2013.pdf"" target=""_blank"">Open House at The Organic Box</a> <strong>Free Movie!</strong> One Wednesday September 25 we are screening <a title=""Dirt!" href=""http://www.thedirtmovie.org"" target=""_blank"">Dirt! The Movie</a>at the University of Alberta in room CCIS 1-160. I will be hosting a post-film discussion, we will have some groovy door prizes and hope to see a full house. Learn about conventional agricultural practices and how they are impacting our soil and the differences in organic practices that we believe are making farming more sustainable. <strong>The Fruit Truck Returns</strong> <div><img title=""The" src=""/uploadedImages/009_-_This_Week/fruit_truck.jpeg"" alt=""The" width=""448"" height=""335"" align=""left"" />As part of National Organic Week 2013, The Organic Box is bringing its fruit truck out to the community to expose primary school students to a fun and engaging way to learn about different fruits and vegetables, where they are grown, and why they are an excellent food choice. We have a four module 30 minute program that gives students the chance to identify and learn about different types of fruits and vegetables, and then plant a virtual farm by classifying which produce grows in which type of farm. Its fun and hands-on, and we are excited to bring it out. The truck will be available for school visits once a month going forward so get in touch with us if we missed you and we will book you in to a future week.</div> <strong>Thank You for Choosing Organic</strong> Your support for Organics is why we exist and why we continue to be successful in our community. We are a food family that starts with our members and ends with our farmers and producers. Thank you for your support and we wish you an excellent start to the new school year. Havea Great Week! Danny. Founder, The Organic Box. <h2>FeaturedProducts and Producers:</h2> <table cellspacing=""15"" cellpadding=""0"" bgcolor=""#edf0e9""> <tbody> <tr> <td align=""center"" valign=""top""><img title=""SeasonalSquash"" src=""/uploadedImages/009_-_This_Week/lotsofsquash(1).jpg"" alt=""SeasonalSquash"" /></td> <td> <h2>Squash Season</h2> As we officially move in the fall season, we are starting to see the true signs of the harvest coming to fruition. One of the last crops to be pulled off of the field is the hard winter squash. Pumpkins, Red Kuri, Kabocha, Butternut, Spaghetti, Delicata, Honeyboat, Sunshine... there are tonnes of great tasting and super nutritious squash on their way. We already have tonnes of spaghetti squash ripening in our warehouse and almost ready to go... and this we we are featuring some fantastic pumpkin varieties from Danny and Miranda's farm in Creston. So indulge in the squash! They are easy to prepare and add some fantastic flavour to your autumn meals. Easy way to prepare squash: -Put your squash of choice in the oven (400C) - Yes, the whole thing. -Leave it in the oven until it looks soft, and the stem wiggles a bit. -Take it out of the oven, cut it in half and scrap out the seeds, scoop out the flesh, and either enjoy this baked squash as is... or puree to add to baking recipes later.</td> </tr> <tr> <td align=""center"" valign=""top""><img title=""Toast"" src=""/uploadedImages/009_-_This_Week/toast.jpg"" alt=""Toast"" /></td> <td> <h2>Breakfast!</h2> The seasons are changing, school is back in session, and our eating habits are changing too. It's time to get up a little earlier and enjoy some nice hearty breakfasts, and nothing is better than a glass of milk, and some toast and jam. We have amazing breads from <strong>Prairie Mill Bread Co</strong>., and if nothing else, they make the absolute best toast! Our fruit spreads from <strong>Over The Hill Orchard </strong>in Saskatchewan are absolutely delicious and certified organic. If jam is not your thing we have very nice <strong>peanut butters </strong>that are ground and packaged right here in Canada.</td> </tr> <tr> <td align=""center"" valign=""top""><img title=""Chia"" src=""/uploadedImages/009_-_This_Week/chia-seeds.jpg"" alt=""Chia"" /></td> <td> <h2>New Products... like Chia</h2> We have lots of great new products availble! Such as roasted corn salsa, apple sauce, apple butter, tri-colour quinoa, buckwheat groats, quick oats, and black chia seeds. We have had ground chia for a while, but now we have whole chia seeds which offer greater whole nutrition. Chia is a wonder seed! It is an amazing source of fibre, omega-3 fats, and calcium... which makes for healthy bones, brains, and stomachs. It is a protein shake in itself and is a wonderful addition to fruit smoothies in the morning to get your long lasting energy source. It is also a wonderful addition and binding agent for gluten-free baking. So if you haven't already... try it out. You won't regret it.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>
