286023 Fri Aug 14 09:38:03 -0700 1998 9 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1533130 I'm hoping to help a friend in Manhattan. She read about a produce co-op in the NY Times a while back. This outfit delivers fresh produce to people in NY City. Of course, one has to join the co-op and pay a fee. The Times was unable to help her identify the issue. Does anyone have knowledge of such a concern? Thanks, as usual. pat Fri Aug 14 09:38:03 -0700 1998 0 pat hammond 1 1533131 Pat, I'm a member of the Roxbury Farms coop. I don't know if this is the one you read about because they don't deliver to your apartment. I believe they deliver to at least 3 or 4 locations in Manhattan, but only one site per day. Mine is at the church on 86th and West End Ave. You join in the Spring and share in the total production of the farm. If they have a big crop, you get more good food. It's organic and of course, fresh. They produce a wide variety of stuff -- very little fruit, a lot of vegetables. This week, I took home 6 little yellow squashes, 2 cucumbers, 2 onions, 2 eggplants, a quart of string beans, 5 corns, 4 red peppers, and a whole bunch of herbs: basil; lemon basil, lemon balm; Italian parsley; and mint. The bad news is that I don't think you can get "in" now, but I'll try to find out. DF Fri Aug 14 17:43:42 -0700 1998 1533130 0 Dave Feldman 2 1533135 Barbara and Dave: Thanks to you both for the info. Barbara, I'll wait for your answer to Dave's post before I relay your suggestion. Are they in the phone book? pat Mon Aug 17 09:36:16 -0700 1998 1533131 0 pat hammond 1 1533132 I don't suppose you mean Urban Organics, which will deliver a box of fresh fruit and/or veg to your door (you choose the type of box and size) weekly or biweekly or whenever you call? My friends and I have had mixed feelings about this business which has changed management a couple of times in the past few years, but when it's winter and cold and icy outside, sometimes it's nice not to have to shop at special places for organics. Sun Aug 16 14:04:09 -0700 1998 1533130 0 Barbara Hillery 2 1533134 Barbara, Never heard of "Urban Organics." Could you explain how it works (do you have a choice in quantities and variety of what they deliver?) and why you have mixed feelings about it? Thanks, Dave Mon Aug 17 01:18:47 -0700 1998 1533132 0 Dave Feldman 3 1533137 Urban Organics is in the phone book (They're based in Brooklyn, I think 7th St.) and on the web. They used to just have "the box" - you call in on Sun and they tell you what's in the box for that week (depending on what's fresh and available) and you can call in substitutions (up to 3 in addition to 3 permanent subs. you can leave on your account) or cancel completely for the week. There is a sign-up fee, but sometimes you can get one trial box before paying it. Now, I think, they also have all fruit boxes or juicing boxes (heavy on the carrots) or the regular mixed box. They come in 3 sizes - same variety of stuff, but more quantity as the price goes up. When you sign up they tell you when they deliver in your area and that's when you get your box - no negotiation on that. Mixed feelings: 1. a friend who lives in Stuyvesant Town found her box left in a public area and was, of course gone by the time she got home. 2. They sometimes (understandably) have to make substitutions and I was finding that the particular stuff I was looking forward to didn't come. 3. The variety and quality is usually VERY good, especially for organics. 4. My time just didn't allow me to keep up with the flow of stuff coming in, even when I only got a box every other week (so now I call them when I want one). 5. I have another friend who is VERY happy - she's quite creative with what they send (btw, there's always a newsletter with recipes). 6. The office staff is uneven. Sometimes they resolve problems efficiently and cheerfully, other times less so. 7. You can also order extra organic stuff - grains, breads, milk products. 8. You have to be on top of scheduling for cancellations or extra orders or you find orphan boxes of veggies on your doorstep. That's about all I can think of for now. Basically it's a wonderful idea, but it seems so much more wonderful when the farmers' markets aren't as bountiful as they are at the moment. And definitely helpful for busy, working people. I stopped getting boxes several months ago. I'd be interested in knowing what anyone else thinks of them. Mon Aug 17 20:17:12 -0700 1998 1533134 0 Barbara Hillery 4 1533138 > Urban Organics is in the phone book (They're based in > Brooklyn, I think 7th St.) and on the web. > You're right on the money, though I've not used their services myself. FYI, their info is: http://www.urbanorganic.com/ Urban Organic 230A 7th Street Brooklyn, NY 11215 Phone: 718.499.4321 888 4 URBAN 0 Fax: 718.499.3188 email: uorganics@aol.com HTH, Scott Mon Aug 17 22:45:19 -0700 1998 1533137 0 Scott Bowling 4 1533140 Thanks to everyone who replied to my post. I believe my young friend now has all the information she could possibly want so that she may make an informed decision about produce delivery. pat Tue Aug 18 09:36:57 -0700 1998 1533137 0 pat hammond 1 1533150 Pat, We really enjoy Urban Organics. Yes, they've changed management a few times, but currently we find the produce in the box very high & filled with variety. THere is usually more than enough for two people to last a week--if your week consists of going out to eat two or three times, which ours does. I feel that to pay someone $27 for organic produce that I don't have to pick out and make the decision (should I get the chard this week or beet greens?) plus I don't have to carry it home is truly a wonderful service. When I am not at home, they leave it in front of my apartment door inside the building, which happens to be a safe place. I highly recommend them. E. Wed Aug 19 13:20:04 -0700 1998 1533130 0 E. Cornell 2 1533151 Ed, Thanks very much. I told my friend to go for it. pat Wed Aug 19 13:44:11 -0700 1998 1533150 0 pat hammond