August 2014 is here - this is our FIFTH summer since Miranda and I started The Organic Box right here in Edmonton.  We are celebrating this milestone by introducing our new brand, re-affirming our commitment to local growers and organic food, and making a splash at two of the biggest festivals here in our city. Its the height of the local food season - we've got our best selection of local greens and vegetables of the year, and our BC fruit season is really getting underway including the best cherries in Canada coming from our own farm in Creston, BC.  There isn't a better time to be a member of our service and we are so grateful for everyone who has been part of our food family over the past five years. <strong>Growing Better Together.</strong> <a href="http://blog.theorganicbox.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Growing-Better-Together-Pear.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-4061" src="/media/original_images/Growing-Better-Together-Pear-239x300.jpg" alt="Growing Better Together Pear" width="239" height="300" /></a>Since the outset of The Organic Box, we have described ourselves as a 'Food Family' - made up of the growers and producers who make the food, our members and customers who eat the food, and us in the middle connecting the dots.  We work hard to build the direct producer relationships, promote the overall organic food community in Edmonton, and develop and evangelize our message of sustainable and local eating.  We do lots of the legwork for our members so you don't have to spend your time worrying about where your food comes from.  If its in your box, then you know that it meets our criteria for quality, sustainability, and ethics.  We were committed to non-GMO from the very outset of the movement.  We were at the table when the organic food industry in Alberta was still just burgeoning.  Miranda and I are dedicated to our food family and to helping it to continue to grow and be a very special part of our city.  We love Edmonton, we love our members, and we love our producers. <strong>Lets Celebrate!</strong> So many things to celebrate this summer.  Its festival season and we are excited to return to the Edmonton Folk Fest and debut at the Edmonton Fringe Festival with our signature 'Fruit Truck' and fruit stand.  Come find us and our team at these festivals and get some of our excellent fruit options to help make your festival experience the best it can be.  Our team is ready to meet you and to let you know why The Organic Box is so special and how you can join the local organic food movement in our city.  If you are thinking about joining our food family, make sure you stop by the truck and get an e-value code that you can use to save a little money on your first box. <strong>#FruitPhotoBomb</strong> Photobomb your selfie or group shot with our fresh fruit and you could win a full year's worth of local, certified organic goodies.  Follow The Organic Box, hashtag your photo with <strong>#fruitphotobomb</strong> then tag your friends and us.  You can enter on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. <strong>Some Great Promotions</strong> All month we will be running some great specials and promotions to highlight the excellent assortment of local and organic foods we have to offer our members.  Check the 'Feature Listings' category on our order page each week to see what we have for you. <strong>The Growing Better Together Fund</strong> <span style="color: #222222;">At the festivals this year we are focusing the conversation on the <a title="Growing Better Together Fund" href="//www.theorganicbox.ca/gbtfund" target="_blank">Growing Better Together Fund</a>.  The fund is our approach to giving in our community.  We do it everyday, its not something new.  </span> <span style="color: #222222;">Net proceeds from our fruit sales at the festivals will be donated to the Organic Alberta Council.  This is a not for profit society made up of all the organic farmers in Alberta.  They are developing various education programs this year, some targeted at primary education, enabling teachers to teach their students about organic agriculture in Alberta with a focus on fruits and vegetables.  Part of the program will include us taking our community outreach van back to schools again this fall to get kids connected to fruits and vegetables.</span> <strong>Lets Keep Growing</strong> <p style="color: #3d3d3d;">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 products.  We are growing better together!</p> <p style="color: #3d3d3d;">Have a Great Week!</p> <p style="color: #3d3d3d;">Danny. Founder, The Organic Box.</p>