How It Works (our home delivery service)

OVERVIEW

Once you are signed up as a client (with no commitment or obligations) you will receive a variety of fresh produce either weekly or bi-weekly, it's your choice for frequency and box size. The fresh box contents reflect the current market and are based on seasonal availability as well as quality and price, we will get you the best value and quality for your week's produce budget, and quality is guaranteed. You can either choose to trust our choices then sit back, or you can modify your order by making substitutions beyond your permanent dislikes/preferences, and adding on non-produce groceries is done in our online catalogue with only 24 hours notice. You don't need to do anything after signing up, just be home in a three hour pre-determined window to receive your order delivered to your door, or make alternate drop-off or pick-up arrangements. You may choose to modify your fresh box (standing or sporadic week-to-week), even have standing orders for add-ons like local organic milk, Tall Grass bread, and fair trade organic locally-roasted coffee! A newsletter is included with every order which features a section on what is in your box, some suggestions on how to prepare, clean, store and eat it all, news about organic and environmental issues, a local bulletin board of upcoming events of interest to organic eaters, and always a recipe (especially for less commonly used produce that is included). Payments are made by cash or cheque when you receive your order, or with advance arrrangement with our office by Visa or Mastercard.

SIGN UP (and cancellation of service)

Start by telling us your name, what size of box suits your needs, where you want it delivered, and which available Route Schedule suits you best for a regular delivery day. Fill in the submission form from the Sign Up screen to begin deliveries as soon as this week. You will, within one working day, receive a welcoming reply by email to your sign up form with confirmation of your delivery time slot.

You are not committed in any way to continue service, but there is a non-refundable $5 sign-up charge. To cancel simply send an email asking for cancellation of service, a week's notice is appreciated so we can deliver the last order in a cardboard box and not have to return for the empty rubber tote bin.

PREVIEW FRESH BOX CONTENTS

You can check what will be in your next week's fresh box each week by clicking on This Week's Fresh Box. Upcoming box contents are posted each Friday for the following week. Box contents posted to the website are a best estimate and are subject to some changes due to the volatile nature of weather, farming, perishable produce and transport.

ADD ON GROCERIES

Add on organic grocery items, natural foods and freshly made local foods and beverages from the grocery catalogue. Submit your order online and the non-produce add ons will be delivered with your fresh box at no extra delivery charge. Many customers find standing orders for items they use each week to be very convenient and reduce trips to the supermarket.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Food is fun so we will spike the boxes with seasonal treats and you may occasionally be introduced to foods that are new to you. If you preview something in the upcoming This Week's Fresh Box that you don't want you may substitute. You will receive an equivalent value of another fruit or vegetable, either your requested sub if available or your identified preferences from the Sign Up form when possible. Note: In order to keep administrative costs down, subbed items are not identified on the receipts.

CUSTOMIZE YOUR FRESH BOX

From the sign up form you may identify specific produce items that you never want in your fresh box (permanent dislikes and/or allergies), as well as your preferences (fruits and veggies you love or eat a lot of) to help us choose substitutions. On weeks when your specified avoidances are among the box contents, you will instead automatically receive produce of an equivalent value. You don't need to remind us of your permanent preferences and dislikes, your preferences will be subbed when possible.

RECEIVE DELIVERIES

The delivery routes span a 3 hour time period on a set evening or afternoon. You will receive deliveries weekly unless you specify the bi-weekly option, which some single-person households find to be a manageable amount, and in which case deliveries will be every second week. To find out when there is a route in your area click on Delivery & Pickup Schedule.

SKIP A WEEK

You can skip one or several weeks, for whatever reason, at any time. Just let us know preferably by email or by phone, by 8:30 am of the Monday before your delivery.

SPECIAL RECEIVING SITUATIONS / MISSED DELIVERIES

Alternate arrangements can be made for occasions when you will be unavailable to receive your scheduled delivery. The most desirable solution is to arrange for a neighbour to take the box until you can pick it up, and to leave the empty bin with them with payment inside. We appreciate 24 hours notice of these situations and the address of your neighbour. Orders may also be picked up from our warehouse at 1338 Clifton Street (west of Erin Street) between 2:30 and 4:30 on Tuesday and 8:30 to 4:30 on Wednesday through Friday. Such orders that are not pre-arranged or picked up by Friday at noon will be donated to one of several community kitchens, food banks or outreach programs. Due to the waste of time, fuel and food caused by clients not being home unexpectedly, our policy is to not reverse the charge for your missed fresh box if it ends up as a donation - you still have to pay for it. This seems to be fair to everyone and if you do slip up and forget, you still have the opportunity to pick up your box, or your donation will go to an individual or family who will really benefit from a box of fresh organic produce or a healthy hot meal at a community kitchen.

With each fresh box order you receive an information sheet on the back of your receipt. This "newsletter" gives us the opportunity to share information about where, who and how your food was grown, factors that affect agricultural production, help you learn about produce storage, cooking tips to maximize the benefits of freshly harvested produce, and to share recipes to assist you to integrate these nutritional powerhouses into your family's menu. We also post global news that has an impact on the environment, as well as a kind of community billboard of local happenings that are of interest to organic eaters. The recipes are vegan and use mostly ingredients that can be found either in your Fresh Box or on the Fresh Option add ons catalogue.

QUALITY GUARANTEE

Our Promise: Fresh Option staff sorts and hand packs each fresh box with utmost care. If however you receive an item that is substandard, we are happy to replace the item in your next box (read more here about appearances of organic vs. 'conventional' fruits and vegetables). Just email us immediately with details so we can address the problem. We strive to make your experience in opening each fresh box a joy you look forward to each week, please let us know if we've missed our mark so we can achieve that goal.