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Dear Boston Organics Community:
Since 2002, it’s been our mission to provide access to fresh, organic produce while supporting healthy living, the local food system and environmental sustainability. We’ve never wavered in our mission, and every business decision we make considers the impact on our farm partners, our staff, our community, and of course, our customers.
It’s for this reason that we’ve resisted increasing prices for the past seven years, despite the ever-growing costs of fresh fruit and vegetables. For example, from 2007 to 2014 the price of onions increased by about 50% and apples by more than 75%. To keep pace with the rising costs, we will increase our box prices beginning Monday, April 6.
The price increase will allow us to ensure your deliveries continue to consist of exciting variety and uncompromising quality.
As a thank you to our existing customers, we will apply a recurring credit up to $3 to be used towards extra grocery items (“add-ons” only) with each delivery through the end of June. Details about the thank-you credit are below.
Beginning with deliveries made the week of April 6, 2015, the new box prices will be:
Small Box: $27 (formerly $24) Standard Box: $32 (formerly $29) Dogma Box: $32 (formerly $29)
Medium Box: $42 (formerly $39)
Large Box: $60 (formerly $57) Family Box: $60 (formerly $57) Standard Office: $32 (formerly $29)
Large Office: $48 (formerly $45)
For more info, check out our FAQs below, or reach out to us at [email protected].
Your Partner in Sustainable Eating, Jeff Barry, President & Founder
Boston Organics
FAQs
Are the prices of your grocery add-ons increasing, too?
No, not at this time.
Will I be getting a different amount of produce in my box?
The price increase will allow us to purchase more produce and you may notice an increase in the amount and/or variety of food in your box.
When does the credit for existing customers begin and end?
The credit will be applied to orders delivered between April 6 and July 2, 2015.
Who is eligible for the credit?
All current customers who are active—meaning they are not cancelled and their credit cards are not on decline—as of 12:00pm Thursday, April 2. Those who sign up for the first time or re-activate their cancelled account after 12:00pm Thursday, April 2 will not be eligible.
If I don’t use a credit, will it roll over to the next week?
No, the credits will be applied one week at a time. They will not accrue if unused.
If I cancel before April 6, and resume before the credit ends July 2, will I still be eligible for the $3 credit?
If you completely cancel service and resume after 12:00pm April 2, you will not be eligible for the credit. If you put your account on vacation status (ie cancelled deliveries for specific dates but not your entire service) before April 2, you will still be eligible for the credit when you resume.
Will I still get the credit if I switch my box size?
Yes. You can switch your box size or frequency within the credit period and still receive the credit.
Will I receive a credit if I don’t have any add-on groceries in my order?
No. The credit will only be applied to accounts with add-on groceries in their delivery.
What if my add-on groceries total less than $3?
Your credit is good for up to $3. For example, if you only have $2.50 worth of add-on groceries in your delivery, you will receive a $2.50 credit. You will not be refunded the difference, nor will the difference roll over into your next billing period.
What products do you have that are less than $3?
You can use your credit toward any add-on purchase. But if you don’t want to exceed the credit value, we have a number of organic groceries you can choose from, like snack bars, popcorn, vegetable broth, coconut milk, pasta, string cheese, pizza dough, eggs, oatmeal cups and lots of produce items. Check out our full range of add-on groceries.
I am worried I won’t be able to afford the price increase, but I love the service. Do you have any tips on how I can make your service as cost-effective as possible?
While eating local, healthy and sustainably sourced foods can, at times, cost a little extra, we believe organic food should be accessible and affordable for everyone. To get the most value from your Boston Organics box, try these tricks for stretching your delivery.
Try going with a smaller box, then adding a couple of specific add-ons to round out your order.
Keep an eye on your food waste. If you find your produce isn’t lasting, check out our storage tips to get the greatest life span from your produce.
If you’re throwing out a lot of food regularly, it might be worth moving down a box size.
Check out our recipes. You can stretch your food a little longer by making filling, nutritious meals like chili, soup, casserole, etc.
If you have questions that were not answered above, please send an email to [email protected].
Hold on to your hats, it’s looking like more severe snowfall will be occurring throughout the day Monday. In order to keep safety a top priority, your delivery will be delayed by one day.
The adjusted schedule is as follows:
Regular Schedule: This Week’s Adjusted Schedule:
Monday 2/9 changes to…. Tuesday 2/10 Tuesday 2/10 changes to…. Wednesday 2/11 Wednesday 2/11 changes to…. Thursday 2/12 Thursday 2/12 changes to…. Friday 2/13
Friday 2/13* changes to…. Saturday 2/14
*Charlestown and Malden homes and offices (zip codes 02129 & 02148) will retain their regularly scheduled Friday delivery day.
We understand that this might not be ideal, so if you need to skip a delivery, please submit this form by 10:30am two days before your scheduled delivery.
If you miss the cutoff, please email [email protected] up to 5pm the day before your delivery. If you do not notify us by 5pm the day before your delivery, you may be subject to a $20 restocking fee in accordance with our company policies for any late cancellations or undeliverable orders.
We really (really!) apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that we’ll soon be on the other side of this wacky winter weather!
Please monitor your email and facebook.com/bostonorganics for additional updates.
As always, please contact us with any questions.
Stay safe out there! The Boston Organics Crew
The first full week of the new year may bring us a little cold weather, but that won’t stop us from bringing you the best of what our local partners have to offer.
While it’s definitely the season for southern citrus, we’re pleased as punch that Dwight Miller & Son of Vermont is still sending us crisp Empire apples so we can keep delivering you local fruit.
Additionally, this week we’re excited to offer 2lb. bags of potatoes from Nature’s Circle Farm in Houlton, Maine. One of the most versatile vegetables, potatoes can be enjoyed in innumerable ways. Keep these spuds close at hand for a quick baked potato, breakfast hash browns, twice baked potatoes, comforting soup or homemade fries.
Locavore Recipe of the Week
One way we like to prepare potatoes is to make the classic German dish Himmel Und Erde. This recipe traditionally combines two items that we’re lucky to grow right here in New England: starchy potatoes and sweet-tart apples.
Himmel Und Erde (meaning Heaven and Earth, where apples and potatoes grow) can be served by itself or alongside sausage or pork. Our version also contains turnips, giving it a more complex flavor.
Looking for a tasty, comforting dish this week? Try making Himmel Und Erde for yourself.
This Week’s Local Produce
All of the fruits and vegetables we deliver are grown without synthetic pesticides and are USDA certified organic. Interested in receiving produce that’s both organic and locally sourced all year round? Check out our Local Dogma Box.
Similar to a CSA or farm share, our Local Dogma Box is filled with the best organic produce from local and regional farms and brought right to your door each week. It’s the easiest way to eat like a locavore!
When life hands you lemons… It’s a pretty good day, actually.
We are talking about Meyer lemons. The gorgeous and sweet-tart citrus can’t help but bring a smile to your face. Little globes of sunshine, Meyer lemons are actually a cross between a standard lemon (Eureka or Lisbon) and a mandarin orange. The Meyer lemon is sweeter than your regular grocery store variety, with a thin, edible exterior and lots of juice inside. As you lift them to your nose or slice into one, you’ll notice a bright, floral scent. (Smiling yet?!)
The Meyer lemon was introduced to the United States by agricultural explorer Frank N. Meyer in the early 1900s. The US Department of Agriculture sent Meyer to Asia to research new plant species, and of all the varieties he brought back, this particular species came to be his namesake. Cultivation of the Meyer lemon began in California, Texas and Florida. They were popular as backyard trees for many years, but didn’t reach commercial popularity until the 2000s. (Thank you, Martha Stewart.)
©2012 Edsel Little, Creative Commons.
The sweet quality of the Meyer lemon makes it a versatile and treasured ingredient. You can use them wherever you would use a standard lemon. They accompany fish and chicken dishes beautifully, serve as the basis for refreshing desserts, and garnish, well, almost anything. Because of their milder quality, they make excellent lemonade and cocktails, not to mention salad dressing. Toss a little sunshine into your next winter salad with this recipe for Zesty Meyer Lemon Dressing.
If you’re opening your box this week to Meyer lemons, take a moment to stop and smell the citrus. And see if you can keep yourself from smiling.
It’s hard to believe the New Year is only days away. As 2014 wanes, it’s a natural time for reflection and gratitude.
As well look back over the year, the one thing the crew here is thankful for, above all else, is you. Hats off to the Boston Organics Community for your constant support and enthusiasm towards our mission to deliver fresh, organic produce while helping to grow a healthier, more sustainable food system. Thank you for your generosity in donating your boxes to the less fortunate during the holiday season. Thank you for your humor and insights across social media. Thank you for helping to shed light on the importance of organic living. Thank you for advocating for us and what we do. Thank you to our long-time customers who have been with us for hundreds upon hundreds of deliveries. Thank you to our new customers, the ones who excitedly share with us photos of their first box. We really can’t thank you all enough.
It’s been a great year for us in many ways, and as we head into our 13th year (!), we have some exciting projects in the works that we look forward to sharing with you. 2015 promises to be a year of good things, and we are so pleased to have you by our sides for the journey.
Safe, warm and healthy wishes to you and yours.
Cheers to the New Year.
The Boston Organics Crew
It’s not always easy to find a rainbow of color in regionally grown produce in the middle of winter. Our local offerings this week, however, contain a gorgeous medley of reds, greens, purples and oranges.
Boxes will be brimming with winter favorites like rutabagas, parsnips, sunchokes and beets. Some boxes will contain purple kohlrabi, which when sliced into sticks make a snappy addition to vegetable platters. And don’t be surprised if the somewhat scary-looking celeriac pops out at you—looks can be deceiving. Learn more about the mild, fragrant root vegetable.
If you’re in the mood for radishes, we not only have a beautiful blend from Winter Moon Farm, but the Local Dogma Box contains Daikons, a popular and versatile Asian variety. While many people will roast them or shred them into a slaw, we suggest trying this recipe for Sweet Pickled Daikon Radish.
This Week’s Local Produce
All of the fruits and vegetables we deliver are grown without synthetic pesticides and are USDA certified organic. Interested in receiving produce that’s both organic and locally sourced all year round? Check out our Local Dogma Box.
Similar to a CSA or farm share, our Local Dogma Box is filled with the best organic produce from local and regional farms and brought right to your door each week. It’s the easiest way to eat like a locavore!
Celeriac might not be winning any beauty contests, but once you get past the other-worldly looks of this underdog root vegetable, you’ll find a mild-tasting and fragrant interior that’ll surely win you over.
Celeriac, or celery root, is a variety of celery grown specifically for its bulbous root, rather than its stalk. It can be eaten raw or cooked, and adds a terrific flavor to any dish that calls for root vegetables, like gratins, mashes and soups.
Beloved in Europe, celeriac has quite the pedigree. While celeriac made a cameo in Homer’s Odyssey (referred to as selinon), it wasn’t until the Middle Ages that it rose to fame, and later became a commonly cultivated food item by the late 1600s. Rumor has it that it was once popular in the United States during the times before refrigeration (due to its impressively long shelf life), but was edged out of the limelight by its more attractive cousin: stalk celery.
Historically known as a medicinal plant, celeriac is a great source of both vitamin C and phosphorous. Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant that helps control infections, improve immunity, and maintain healthy bones, teeth, and blood vessels. Phosphorous is an essential mineral that also plays a key role in bone health. One half-cup serving contains just 30 calories, zero fat and lots of dietary fiber.
But most importantly, it tastes fantastic with a delicate celery-parsley flavor, and it’s pretty versatile. Preparation is much less daunting than it looks. To peel the celery root, cut off the top and bottom, so that it stands on its own. Using a sharp chef’s knife, slice off the knobby peel, starting at the top and following the contours of the root to the bottom. Then cut into equal sized chunks or slices. If you’re not cooking them right away, place the pieces into a bowl of acidulated water to prevent browning. Celeriac can be boiled, roasted or steamed, just like other root veggies.
Want to give celeriac a shot? Try this tasty recipe for Celeriac Hashbrown Casserole or dig up more info on our Celeriac page.
It’s about that time of year when we’re starting to salivate at the thought of eating our way through the holidays. In celebration of this annual benchmark, we’ve compiled a list of side dishes, some traditional, some a bit unorthodox, for you to try out as you create your menu or your contribution to the potluck.
Whether your style is to contribute a classic side to the family table or feverishly scour Pinterest for the next big thing, we’re here to save you some time and the stress of waiting in those pre-holiday checkout lines.
We’ve pulled together seven tasty side dishes featuring items you can get delivered right to your doorstep in your Boston Organics box!
1. Roasted Beet and Kale Salad
It’s definitely been a banner year for kale and beets, so why not finish the season out strong with this trendy, vitamin-packet side?! Add organic garlic and local honey to your delivery, which may contain the kale and beets now in season. Visit TheFirstMess.com for the full recipe.
2. Sugarless Cranberry Sauce
A healthier version of the classic condiment, sans refined sugar or artificial sweeteners. Add on a few bags of organic cranberries to your next delivery! Visit WellnessMama.com for the full recipe.
3. Butternut Squash Rolls
Put together this simple dough using butternut squash, Fiddler’s Green Farm White Flour and Shaw Farm milk to bake up these surprisingly moist and slightly sweet rolls. Visit TasteofHome.com for the full recipe.
4. Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Maple Syrup and Chipotles
We love Chef Bobby Flay’s spicy spin on a classic side dish. Try our organic maple syrup from Dwight Miller and Son Orchards. Visit Cooking.NYTimes.com for the full recipe.
5. Honey-Glazed Turnips
Show those winter root vegetables some love! Turnips are available in steady supply through our weekly deliveries and would pair perfectly for this recipe with a jar of honey from Eat Local Honey! Visit MarthaStewart.com for the full recipe.
6. Steamed Carrots with Garlic-Ginger Butter
Add on some organic ginger and garlic to your delivery for this simple, yet flavorful side. Visit MyRecipes.com for the full recipe.
7. German Potato Salad
We’ve got organic onions, canola oil from Maison Orphee, and apple cider vinegar from Dwight Miller and Son that you can use to make this hearty salad shine. Additionally, you can swap out red potatoes for the new potatoes, adding an additional pop of color. Visit FoodNetwork.com for the full recipe.
Merry Meal-Making!
In the spirit of thankfulness, when a new customer signs up this weekend using the special promo code (to be emailed and shared via social media on Friday 11/28 at 6:00am) and mentions an existing customer’s name in the “learned about service” field during sign-up, the new customer gets 30% off their first delivery, and our existing customer gets 30% off their next delivery, as well! The promotion period lasts from 6:00am Friday 11/28 and 11:59pm Monday 12/1.
New customers are also welcome to use the promo code to receive 30% off their first delivery without referencing an existing customer.
A few things to note about this promotion for new customers:
- Promo codes cannot be applied to existing active accounts or to accounts that have been active within the past month.
- A maximum of (1) 30% off promotional discount allowed per new customer account.
- Promo codes won’t be accepted over the phone or by email during or after sign-up.
- New customers must have a valid credit card to sign up.
- New customers must live within our service area.
- New customers must agree to our policies.
For existing customers who are mentioned as the source of referral by a new customer using this code during sign-up:
- The existing customer will receive a 30% discount on their order during the next billing cycle.
- A maximum of (1) 30% off promotional referral allowed per existing customer account.
- This discount does not interfere with our referral program if a different first-time customer signs up using the existing customer’s personal referral code.
- The referral name entered during sign-up must be a current, active account holder’s name. (Accurate spelling is important!)
- Referral names won’t be accepted over the phone or by email during or after sign-up.
Please check back for updates on the Wawona stone fruit recall.
Dear Valued Boston Organics Community Member,
Earlier today we learned that one of our fruit suppliers, Wawona Packing Company, voluntarily initiated a precautionary recall of peaches, nectarines, and plums that you may have received in a recent delivery.
The stone fruit is being recalled due to a potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes, though no illnesses have been linked to this recall to date.
The recall was initiated based on internal company testing at the Wawona Packing facility in California, and the company immediately shut down the packing lines, retrofitted equipment, sanitized the facility, and retested. Subsequent daily test results have been negative.
While the risk of contamination is very low, at Boston Organics we take food quality and safety very seriously. As a precaution, we urge you to discard any of the following fruit that you may still have in your possession:
- White nectarines & yellow peaches delivered between July 7th – July 18th
- Yellow nectarines & red plums delivered between July 7th – July 11th
- Black plums delivered between July 14th – July 18th
We suggest you thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables you received during these dates—as you should with all fruits and vegetables before consuming.
Wawona Packing Company supplies organic and conventional fruit for many regional and national grocers. For your safety, we recommend that if you recently purchased stone fruit elsewhere, that you check with the retailer to see if it has been included in the recall.
We would like to stress that this is a voluntary recall issued by one of our suppliers as a precaution. The fact that the potential contamination was caught and addressed before anyone was negatively impacted demonstrates the benefits of a well-regulated supply chain.
Boston Organics is careful to trace all of the produce that comes in and out of our warehouse, and as a small business we are able to directly contact consumers who may have received the recalled fruit.
If you would like to receive credit on your billing account for any recalled fruit, please fill out the produce issue form on our website: bostonorganics.com/pdi.
Please type “Recall” in the “Comments” section and indicate how many pieces of recalled fruit you discarded. If you are uncertain of the amount, you can indicate this with a question mark in the quantity field, and we will reference your delivery history to ensure you are appropriately credited.
For more information on the recall and to learn about Listeria monocytogenes, view the full press release from Wawona Packing Co. on the FDA website.
Thank you,
The Boston Organics Team