<h2>A Snowy Week Coming Up</h2> <p align="left">On Saturday morning here its six degrees and sunny.  But the weatherman tells me that we are going to see 15 cm of snow this weekend and head for the deep freeze next week.   By the time you read this, Edmonton may already have its first blanket of snow.  We're ready - our vans have their winter tires installed, gravel kits filled and shovels ready to go.  All our drivers have good winter boots and gloves and the can-do attitude we love.  You need to do your part by updating your winter delivery instructions!  <a href="#WinterDelivery" title="More Below.">More Below.</a></p> <p align="left"><strong>Bountiful Harvest Special Continues until November 30</strong></p> <p align="left">As a thank-you to our members and to our entire food family, we have an excellent promotion for you this fall.  </p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="left"><img style="width: 369px; height: 200px;" title="10off_coupon" alt="10off_coupon" src="/uploadedImages/009_-_This_Week/discount_coupon.png" width="369" height="200" /></p> <p align="left">Between now and November 30, when you spend $100 or more on your weekly or biweekly order, we will give you $10 back.  We have a fantastic catalogue of over 500 items, many of them items produced right here in Western Canada by small and independent producers.  They want you to try their wares, and we want you to get a break this fall. </p> <p align="left"><strong>Edmonton Top 40 Under 40</strong></p> <p align="left"><a href="http://avenueedmonton.com/top-40-under-40/danny-turner" border="0" target="_new"><img src="http://avenueedmonton.com/files/imagecache/article-img-400w/events/for_web_turner_danny.jpg" align="left" alt="Danny in the corn" style="border: 10px solid white;" /></a>This week Miranda and I were treated to a night out at the Edmonton Top 40 Under 40 Awards.  I was very gratified to be <a href="http://avenueedmonton.com/top-40-under-40/danny-turner" title="included in the list" target="_blank">included in the list</a> for 2013! What an honour for me, but more.  Being included in such a distinguished group of people underlines to us that we are on the right course or alternative food distribution.  That finding small producers of organic food and bringing those producers together to offer a complete service to Edmontonians is something that our community values.  </p> <p align="left">We have a team of over 50 people who work tirelessly to bring you your order every time.  It is a labour of love and passion of local economy and local food, and everyone here firmly believes that it is possible to find sustainable, healthy and small scale food in our economy and to buy your food from people instead of shareholders.  Miranda and I are grateful for the recognition and the support of everyone in our food family. </p> <p align="left"><strong>GMO and Food Labels.</strong></p> <p align="left">Next week Washington State votes on <a href="http://yeson522.com/about/read/" title="Initiaitive 522" target="_blank">Initiative 522</a> - a bill to require the labeling of Genetically Modified Foods (GMO).  We firmly believe that food labeling is the path to eliminating GMO products from the majority of our food.  Once consumers are able to distinguish between food products with GMO and those without, overwhelmingly they will choose non-GMO products and the market will shift its focus.  Financial Analysts are already downgrading and <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/investment-ideas/strategy-lab/growth-investing/this-food-stock-has-a-bad-aftertaste/article13488677/" title="discouraging Monsanto as a long-term investment" target="_blank">discouraging Monsanto as a long-term investment</a> because of impending food labeling laws.  Food labeling will happen in North America, I am convinced.  Even The Economist magazine is convinced it is coming and is <a href="http://www.economist.com/news/united-states/21588898-one-way-or-another-labelling-gm-food-may-be-coming-america-warning-labels-safe?zid=314&ah=607477d0cfcfc0adb6dd0ff57bb8e5c9" title="calling for federal regulations" target="_blank">calling for federal regulations</a>. Here in Canada, no current legislation is pending or in development to require food labeling, but once the United States has adopted rules Canada will be soon to follow suit.  </p> <p align="left">You can support the movement for GMO transparency and food labeling by choosing to spend your food dollars in the best place.  Check out this list of supporters and brands for the NO campaign on I-522:  <a href="http://organicconsumersfund.org/label/I-522-funders.cfm" title="Organic Food Companies to Avoid" target="_blank">Organic Food Companies to Avoid</a>.  These members of the Grocery Manufacturer's Association are food conglomerates that own some Organic Brands.</p> <p align="left">If you would like to learn more about this, there is a lecture on December 10 sponsored by Albertans for Food Safety.  <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/183745431811590/" target="_blank">Genetically Engineered Foods and Human Health: A Speaker’s Tour</a> is being held at the University of Alberta and includes some very notable experts on food safety and the impact of GMO foods on human health and the environment.  This is probably one of the best events in the calendar for getting some real information about this often emotionally-charged issue.</p> <p align="left"><strong><a href="#" name="WinterDelivery" title="WinterDelivery" class="bookmark"> </a>Its time for Winter Delivery Instructions</strong></p> <div><img src="/uploadedImages/009_-_This_Week/snowyvan.jpg" alt="Snowy Van" title="Snowy Van" style="width: 600px; height: 335px;" width="600" height="335" align="top" /></div><p>A year ago this week we had Snomageddon - 40 cm fell in St Albert in a single day and shut us right down.  Its that time of year again and we need your help.  Please remember that our normal delivery hours are noon to 10pm, so if you are expecting your box and it is getting dark, <strong style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">please turn on your porch light for our drivers to see</strong>.  If we can't see your house number or if your front steps aren't safe, we will have trouble getting your box of food to you this winter.</p> <p>Its also time to start thinking about <strong style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">winter delivery instructions</strong>.  Your box won't survive in -10C weather for more than 30 minutes outside, so please start thinking about winter conditions and how you want your box delivered.  Some options include:</p> <ol style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);"> <li style="padding: 0px; margin: 10px 40px;">We can put it in your garage if you have a keypad entry system.</li> <li style="padding: 0px; margin: 10px 40px;">We can leave it with a specified neighbour if you aren't home.</li> <li style="padding: 0px; margin: 10px 40px;">If you aren't home, we can bring it back to the warehouse and you can pick it up from our warehouse on Wednesday to Fridays during business hours and 9-1pm on Saturdays.</li> <li style="padding: 0px; margin: 10px 40px;">Something else creative that you can devise!</li> </ol> <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51);">Boxes without winter delivery instructions will be</span><strong style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);"> left on your front step if your driver is unable to get in touch with you</strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51);">, so please take the time to update your instructions and let us know what you would like us to do for you - this can include leaving it out even if you aren't home.  Delivery instructions can be updated by clicking the 'My Account' button on the right hand side of the Choose Your Box page.</span></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>Have a Great Week!</p> <p> Danny.<br />Founder, The Organic Box.</p> <h2>Featured Products and Producers:</h2> <table cellspacing="15" cellpadding="0" bgcolor="#edf0e9"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" align="center"><img style="width: 250px; height: 156px;" title="OMGG" alt="OMGG" src="/uploadedImages/009_-_This_Week/omygoodness.jpg" width="250" height="156" /></td> <td><h2> O'My Goodness Granola Snacks</h2> <p>If you haven't tried these delicious granola snacks yet... now is the time. They are highly addictive, and full of wholesome goodies that provide a gluten free, nutrient dense snack. They're great with yogurt in the morning for breakfast, or pack them with you in your lunch for a quick energy boost at work. Also, great for road trips, and in bagged lunches for the kids. Try all four flavours:</p> <p><strong>Mmmmmmmm</strong> - Apples, Cinnamon, Hazelnuts and Maple Syrup<br /><strong>The Big Oh</strong> - Orange, Chocolate and Dates<br /><strong>Honey Dripper</strong> - Pears, Vanilla and Honey<br /><strong>Flirty Figures</strong> - Lemon, Pecan and Figs</p> <p>This Creston based, family owned company makes everything from scratch with raw, gluten-free, and organic ingredients that are sourced as locally as possible (including the apples from our very own farm)!</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="center"><img style="width: 250px; height: 139px;" title="SBs" alt="SBs" src="/uploadedImages/009_-_This_Week/spiceblends.jpg" width="250" height="139" /></td> <td><h2> Spice Blends! </h2> <p>In the mood for some extra zing in your dinner meals? Looks no further than the <strong>Spice Blends </strong>from <strong>Made With Love. </strong>This Kamploops based company hand blends every batch of spices that helps people make easy, real, whole food, fast! They source their ingredients from local, fair-trade, and organic farms... and they add that extra kick to your dish to make it extra amazing. Try the 4 varieties we have available:</p> <p><strong>Jalapeno Roots</strong> - A blend of jalapeno, garlic, onion, sweet peppers and lime. Great mixed into a dip or sprinkled on pasta. <br /><strong>Garden Curry</strong> - One of the best selling. Adds a delicious creamy curry flavour to pasta, yogurt dip, or in soups. <br /><strong>Pesto Garlic</strong> - Another best seller! Nut and dairy free pesto mix. Just basil, parsley, oregano, herbs, garlic, pepper and salt. Great on pasta, meat, or grilled veggies. <br /><strong>Red Pepper</strong> - Sweet and mildly spicy flavour that is great on chicken or fish... and especially good melted in popcorn butter! </p> <p>Made With Love is very active online and have a great resource of cooking videos, and recipes for you to try that are catered to their amazing Spice Blends and Magic Meals. Check out the link for a few ideas: <a title="Made With Love Recipes" href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151398621235592.1073741825.126966585591&type=3">Made With Love Recipes</a></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="center">  <img title="GFGField" alt="GFGField" src="/uploadedImages/009_-_This_Week/gfgfield.jpg" /><img title="HotCereal" alt="HotCereal" src="/uploadedImages/009_-_This_Week/hotcereal.jpg" /></td> <td><h2> Hot Cereal Time</h2> <p>As the temperatures dip down and the mornings become cooler we all look for ways to help us warm up and start our days. Luckily, we work closely with wonderful farmers and companies that provide fantastic local oats and grains which provide great nourishment in the form of hot cereal. It is such a versatile breakfast that can be dressed up in any number of ways to make it more exciting, delicious, and healthy. We have great hot cereals and porridge available from:<br /><br />Gold Forest Grains - high quality heritage grain cereal<br />Sunnyboy - the classic hot breakfast with a long history in the Prairies<br />Rough and Tumble - delicious porridge made from local, organic ingredients<br />New Life - an excellent mix of 7 grains to provide a healthy breakfast</p> <p>Along with hot cereals these producers also wonderful pancake mixes for those mornings when fresh fruit and flapjacks are the way to go. </p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>
