639682 Mon Jul 27 04:55:51 -0700 2009 23 23 Ontario (including Toronto) 0 4893188 Does anyone have a fruit/veg box delivery service you can recommend? It's the only way I can be sure I always have enough fresh produce at home for us. (Too busy w/ work.) Thank you! Mon Jul 27 04:55:51 -0700 2009 291061 melnumnums 1 4893247 I have been using Mama Earth Organics for almost a year now. I get their "small basket" for $25/week and find its the perfect size for myself, my husband (not a huge vegie eater)and my 3 year old. You can also customize your basket each week for an additional $2 or add additional items to be included. They are also very pleasant to deal with and will more than compensate you if there is anything in your delivery that is not up to par. Mon Jul 27 05:41:32 -0700 2009 4893188 230837 swissmissy 2 4893793 I too use Mama Earth and echo your praises. My roommate and I get the "regular basket" as we are big veggie eaters. Mon Jul 27 08:58:27 -0700 2009 4893247 281338 JaclynS 3 4893963 That's good to know. We have a share from Plan B Organics this year and have not been overly impressed. Mon Jul 27 09:47:11 -0700 2009 4893793 118181 EarlyDrive 4 4896665 hi earlydrive, i was looking into plan b but have decided to wait until next year. can you please elaborate on your thoughts about your share?? tks! Tue Jul 28 07:49:54 -0700 2009 4893963 79997 lilaki 5 4937436 Hi Lilaki, sorry I didn't respond to your email earlier --just came back to this post. I find the Plan B share to be uninspired. Every week, we receive 3 greens: always one salad greens, usually a romaine, and either a spinach or kale. There are sooooo many different greens at the farmers' markets this summer, that I would have hoped to see something a little more interesting. Ohter than the greens, we have also received: strawberries, potatoes (delicious), lots of zucchini (delicious), and mushrooms. And that's pretty much it. I find the markets so much more inspiring and varied so basically, I've paid for a share and then spend as much again at the farmers' markets on the weekend. I am disappointed because I really wanted to support Plan B and the CSA model but I don't think I'll be doing it for another year. Tue Aug 11 13:41:45 -0700 2009 4896665 118181 EarlyDrive 6 4942539 hi earlydrive, tks for the review ... i'm wondering if the uninspired crops has to do with the cool/wet summer we've had so far? would you mind coming back to post a thread about plan b once the season is done? TYVMIA!!! Thu Aug 13 06:08:57 -0700 2009 4937436 79997 lilaki 4 4923756 EarlyDrive, I've been disappointed in my Plan B share this year too. We had a share last year and loved it. We got so many delicious and unexpected things, all kinds of different greens like purslane and mizuna, zucchini and summer squashes, watermelon, peppers, tomatoes... There was always at least one sexy veggie. This year it's been meh. Cabbage, potatoes, salad mix, repeat. I don't know if the cold weather has been difficult for their crops, but there has been no expectation setting and no communication with CSA members. I don't really want to do a food delivery box because I really like the CSA model, but there are so few CSA options in Toronto, I feel like it's basically Plan B or nothing (especially if, like me, you don't have a car). Thu Aug 06 14:13:59 -0700 2009 4893963 212849 fitzlicious 5 4923798 FoodShare has been working directly with local farmers for produce as well. It's not a CSA per se, but they are making a contribution. As well, there are so many drop-off points in Toronto, you'll probably find one close to you. No car needed. Thu Aug 06 14:24:20 -0700 2009 4923756 54667 merlot143 4 4926468 i wonder if there is a connection between quality and location? my hamiltonian friend has been with plan b for two years now and absolutely loves it. she's also been sending me the regular e-mails she's been getting from them (pictures, box contents, recipes) to give me an idea of what is going on every few weeks. she just got mizuna in her box this week. perhaps the toronto boxes are different? Fri Aug 07 11:59:48 -0700 2009 4893963 79997 lilaki 5 4939251 We got mizuna this week in Toronto too. The boxes do, however, seem a little bit less exciting for me this year. This is the risk you take when participating in the CSA model - one of the key aspects of CSA is that you are sharing the risk with the farmer that the crops will be plentiful. The whole point of CSA is moving away from the model where the farmer is the only party who absorbs the loss during lean years. It is therefore theoretically possible to buy a share and then receive nothing if the crops totally fail or the farm is mismanaged (hence the importance of going with a reliable farm). This is not just another green box delivery service and it is not suited to people who are looking for that, although I think Plan B could do a better job of getting that across to shareholders. Wed Aug 12 06:59:30 -0700 2009 4926468 79108 basileater 6 4942549 hi basileater, tks for confirming mizuna in the toronto boxes. i am really interested in the CSA model because i want to support a farm ... we've been doing the farmers market this summer and it's been good (although, pricey) but i'd like to do plan b next year... so far, do you have any other comments re: your plan b boxes this year? how long have you been with plan b? are you going to do the fall/winter share with plan b too? tks! Thu Aug 13 06:11:12 -0700 2009 4939251 79997 lilaki 1 4893979 Does any of you who have done these programs live in a condo? I'm wondering how to work around that... Mon Jul 27 09:55:14 -0700 2009 4893188 96253 chocabot 2 4894574 Yes, I do. I found myself with an extra FOB that I left with Mama Earth delivery and they drop the box outside my door, I leave the empty one for them. Has worked like a charm so far! You only have to be there the first time for FOB hand-off. Mon Jul 27 12:37:19 -0700 2009 4893979 281338 JaclynS 1 4894088 I've used Green Earth Organics (the small bin for $37) for years. They allow 4 subs (though they've been nice when I've wanted to do more). I'd say the fruits and veg are usually quite good; when I don't like something, they're good at giving me an extra pick for the next week. Mon Jul 27 10:22:24 -0700 2009 4893188 174519 Ediblethoughts 1 4895691 We've had fairly consistent experiences with Front Door Organics. $35/week (we do every other), $5 extra for unlimited subs, they're happy to give us a freebie the week after any bad item, very easy with their online system to manage vacations, etc. I wouldn't say that we've been elated with their produce, but it's very consistent and we've come accustomed to their procedures. They prioritize ON produce but are not exclusively local. Mon Jul 27 19:11:39 -0700 2009 4893188 203878 drjolt 2 4896647 I'll second the Front Door Organics recommandation. I've used them for years, and definitely 'consistent' is what comes to mind. I've rarely been disappointed with the quality, the only thing I can really remember was a few batches of bananas that didn't ripen a few years ago. I find that there's enough seasonal variety to make it interesting (kale, chard, rhubarb, scapes, mango, sweet potatoes, and so on), while still counting on the basics to always be there (apples, oranges, pears, lettuce, mushrooms). A few weeks ago I got a potted basil plant! They have a huge grocery section, so you can add to your order also. Plus they're really nice. When I moved into a new building I tried having them drop off the bin in the lobby, then came home that evening to find almost all my produce stolen. They added a few free items in my next order, including a special item I had ordered previously. Now I've given them the code to the building, and they drop it off right at my door. You can also give them a key. On the whole, I've been very satisfied. Tue Jul 28 07:43:56 -0700 2009 4895691 76619 sgogo 3 4930920 That's my problem: I live in a very large building (235 units) and leaving a nice box or basket at my door is too much temptation for people who pass by. i just don't know what to do. Too bad... Sun Aug 09 12:02:19 -0700 2009 4896647 121815 lamaranthe 1 4909897 thanks! deciding between mama earth and front door Sat Aug 01 19:57:36 -0700 2009 4893188 291061 melnumnums 2 4933409 I receive a box from Front Door Organics every two weeks. I love their customer service and the products they carry. When I decided to start using them probably about 3 years ago now, it was because they had later deliveries. For my area the lovely lady delivers around 6pm. I am already home so no worries of anything being taken. She rings the bell when she is there so I know to come and grab my box. They have a promotion that you can receive an all Ontario box with anything you chose for $35.00. I love it! They have some really odd veggies I find too. It is a great chance to try something I have not yet. For what I receive, I do not buy any other produce except what I receive from them. It lasts the entire two weeks if we do not eat it before then. We are a family of two though. If you ever have an issue with anything, they will credit you for your next order and sometimes even refund it to your credit car. Mon Aug 10 10:58:24 -0700 2009 4909897 164580 bustercat628 1 4925513 Thanks for this post! I used to organize my university residents 'Good Food Box' and loved getting a random assortment of goodies each week and have been thinking of doing it again for a while! Fri Aug 07 07:11:41 -0700 2009 4893188 233307 bacchus_is_watching 2 4936038 Another vote for Front Door Organics, my wife and I used them for three or four years. We only stopped because we now live across the street from a weekly farmers market (which is more expensive btw). Great customer service and great selection/produce. Tue Aug 11 07:18:07 -0700 2009 4925513 1081405 jump 1 4936939 Canadian Fine Foods 1200 Markham Road, Suite 415 Toronto, On. Tel: 1-877-939-4545 Email: info@canadianfinefoods.ca – Call for Free quote No contract; no box/basket. Good reviews Tue Aug 11 11:25:16 -0700 2009 4893188 121815 lamaranthe 1 5044343 Longo's; Sobey's - Go to their web sites to see what they offer. Sun Sep 20 15:12:25 -0700 2009 4893188 121815 lamaranthe