Recently, I was introduced to a magnificent service provided by Farm Fresh to You; a California based co-op of farmers who deliver to your door your choice of seasonal, organic and locally grown produce. Awesome.At first I was skeptical, but what sold me most about the service was the variety (I feel obligated to eat food that I have paid for). I haven't written about this yet, but variety in your diet provides an important mix of vitamins and micronutrients which are essential in helping the body thrive. Variety is hard for me to incorporate into my daily diet and any chance I am forced to "mix it up" I go for it. Additionally there is no commitment, and I can cancel any individual order as long as I give two days notice. I can choose the size of my delivery (small, medium, large, extra large), I can choose a box of all fruits, all veggies, mixed fruits and veggies, "fast" mixed (fruits & veggies that can be eaten raw), I have a list of "no" items I wish to never receive . Finally, I can swap fruit for fruit, or veggies for veggies.
So far so good.
I signed up for the medium sized box of fruits and veggies delivered every other week. The cost is roughly $31 with delivery included the following:4 Navel Oranges, 2 Braeburn Apples, 2 Murcot Tangerines, 2 Minneola Tangelos ½ lb Strawberries, 1 Eureka Lemon, 1 lb Asparagus, 2.5 lb Cabbage 1 Red Chard, 1 Cauliflower, .5 lb Mixed Lettuce, 1 Green Leaf Lettuce, 1 Bunch Carrots, 2 Yellow Onion, 4 Small Potatoes
I received my first box of groceries a few days ago. This is what I saw when I opened my door Wednesday Morning:
Now – was it worth it?
Emotional Factor: My husband and I love eating what feels like fresh clean food. I feel good supporting California Farms, and it is nice to know that our food probably isn't touched by much more than 2 or 3 people (picker, packer, delivery man), rather than a supermarket full of grubby nose picking hands.
Food Review: Carrots are out of this world.They are sweet and crisp and clean. The apples were great also and the oranges were- according to my husband, better than the apples. I made a stew out of the potatoes and onions (it was hearty!) The rest of fruit and veggies will be sampled this coming weekend.
Cost Review: To compare the cost I went to Whole Foods market and priced out organic and locally grown produce. In order to come up with the price I weighed fruit of similar size and if food came in packages larger than what I was delivered, I divided the Whole Foods cost to come up with quantities that looked comparable (for example, the strawberry container was about 2x the size of what I was delivered, so I divided the cost of the strawberries in half). The result - at Whole Foods - for the same or similar product I would have paid: $30.84. Now - I wouldn’t usually buy organic lemons or tangelos, but if you ARE inclined to purchase those fruits and veggies locally and organically - Farm Fresh To You is almost a break even.
3rd party review aka Mom Review: "I was delighted as I unpacked my Farm Fresh box. Initially I was pleased to see that the size of the box was ample and, indeed, filled to the brim with a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits. In addition to varieties that I am familiar with, there were a few vegetables that I wouldn’t have been inclined to purchase if I were shopping at the grocery store or farmer’s market. I will try to incorporate them into our dinner this week and if I find that we don’t enjoy them or that I avoid trying them, I know that I can have any particular fruit or veggie omitted in the future. Plus – it’s worth noting that the convenience of having this great selection of food arrive on my doorstep is a bonus!!"
My Conclusion: Farm Fresh to You is the embodiment of everything I believe about living a healthy lifestyle with a hectic schedule. The food is good and there is plenty of it. These farmers are my people and having found them my joy knows no bounds.
To Contact & Order:
http://www.farmfreshtoyou.com/
Phone: 800.796.6009
If you are inclined to order mention me: "Jessica Danger Bohn" – in Encino and I get some free stuff, I think. If not, don't worry about it.
Use this code for $5 off your order: 6164
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Next Time On Popular Excuses: Super Food - Vitamin C
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i would love this but sadly, it's not an option here in Texas. love your face!
ReplyDeletelizz
I know - I am so spoiled in California!
ReplyDeleteLAWV!
-jb
i love this idea! i'm going to have to try it out. thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat review! Hope it's ok to post this here too, you can actually get $10 off your first box with code 2866.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your review. I have been debating about the home delivery, vs Farmer's Markets, vs. Whole Foods. Knowing that the price is pretty much similar, and the convenience of having the stuff delivered at home and also trying new things, I think I will go with home delivery. Now just debating if to go with Fresh Farms or LoveDelivery.com, which seems also pretty sweet.
ReplyDeleteThanks again!
Suzanna
I just signed up and can't wait to get my first delivery. I think this is going to enhance my cooking and our health, eat what is in season.
ReplyDeleteI will also feel compelled to use it all, which means eating more fruits and vegetables. I especially like helping our local farmers and since the report came out that much of the organic food at Whole Foods is from China, I feel this is something I have to do. Let's keep as much work and money here as we possibly can.
Thank you for sharing your experience with Farm Fresh. I've been curious for quite some time, but hesitant to try it out. Though your detailed review is super helpful, and i especially love the cost comparison analysis to Whole Foods. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteRefer-A-Friend Promo Code: 6164 will now give a $10.00 discount on the FIRST delivered box. Please be sure to inform the person who referred you so he/she will get a referral credit of $25.00 in their Farm Fresh To You account.
ReplyDeleteYou can get 2-3 times the organice produce at Trader Joes or Costco for the same amount. I received several orders with produce that I indicated I didn't want, and the produce was not very fresh and became moldy sooner than produce I got from Trader Joes. I also had trouble with their customer service who just seem to want to get my money and not really care about making a customer happy.
ReplyDeleteThe worst experience, don't waste your time with these people.
ReplyDeleteShady business. Saw them at a festival and gave my address for more information. They took that as meaning I was signing up for their service; however, I did not give them any credit card information. I started to get a box of vegetables that I did not order along with a bill. Had to cancel service but they insisted that I pay for the unwanted box. I refused to pay, so hopefully that is the end of the matter.
ReplyDeleteFarm Fresh To You Review - Also known as Fresh Farm
ReplyDeleteFarmFreshToYou is a SCAM! Do Not Buy From Them! Half of the Money they are charging you is charges they NEVER tell you about! READ ON....
I started using Farm Fresh To You fruit/vegetable delivery last December. I really like the idea of having local organic farms produce delivery to my home. I thought Farm fresh delivery to my door ROCKS!!!
Fresh Farm To You are scammers to the highest degree!!!!
When signing up, I asked their Rep if there were any delivery charges or other monthly charges for their home delivery - local produce delivery and he assured me that the price I would be charged was farm fresh direct to you and only for the organic fruits and vegetables I would be ordering!!!
For the first 4 or 5 months I felt their pricing was fair, but about 6 months ago, I started noticing the quality of produce go down and their prices go up. At first I ignored it but I started to notice more and more problems not only with their produce but with their pricing (I mean there is something wrong when everything they are selling becomes more expensive than Whole Foods Market prices!!!) According to their Rep, the main farm, Capay Farms, produces excellent produce and they pride themselves in growing fresh for you foods!
Recently I noticed huge discrepancies between the amount of the produce I was ordering and my invoices. So I decided to calculate the prices of the produce and make sure it added up to what I was being charged!
I was SHOCKED when I found out they were charging me $13.95 extra over the price of the produce I was ordering!!!
What that means is that they have deceived and scammed me for the the past 12 months and they have not been honest and moral about their business practices!!
For that past 12 months I have been using their services, I have never been told in any way that I am being charged $13.95 for what they are calling their "Delivery Services" charges!!
So I called them today and spoke to a supervisor named Jamie. I point blank asked her: "Do you guys charge Delivery Fees for your services?", and she said: "NO we never charge for Delivery!!"
SO I let her know that I had just calculated that I had been charged $13.95 every time I had ordered from them, and this is what she said to that: "OH that is a charge and it is absorbed as part of your produce you are getting and it is part of our packaging and delivery!!" So I said I thought you said you don't charge for delivery??
Jamie said, "We don't, that charge is part of of the produce package you are getting and that is what Farm Fresh To You owners have decided as part of the produce package you get."
I am so disappointed and angry, these people are liars, cheaters, and scam artists!!!! I really feel sorry for the farmers who work with them because sooner or later people will find out they are being cheated by these scam artists and stop using their delivery services!!
Make sure you read this before you order from FarmFreshToYou.com or use a Farm Fresh To You Promo Code!
YOU are way better off finding a local Farmers Market! True Meaning of FarmFresh
Also ugly place to work, vans are dirty with holes and a lot of dust abd fumes from engines.
ReplyDeleteIt is better for the planet and your local economy to buy from your local grocery store or farmers market.
ReplyDeleteFirst box was great, second was meh, third was garbage. They charged me for the fourth despite the fact that I canceled before it was sent or even finalized.
ReplyDeleteBananas in particular are terrible. Pears and kiwis were good, though.
Vastly overpriced compared to the grocery store, even when buying organic.