It is truly a privilege to review this company because they are doing an amazing service for both local farmers and the communities in surrounding areas in Georgia and Arizona. With that being said, I would like to first reiterate the top concerns and complaints I hear from people when I suggest they eat as much local, fresh, organic food as possible.
1. Organic Food is too expensive.
2. The selection in some areas is lacking.
3. Local farmers are harder to get to and work with.
Nature’s Garden Delivered addresses all of these concerns.
Too expensive?
First, I would like to start by saying, “Yes”; organic food is more expensive than cheap, nutrient deficient, chemically or genetically altered, and processed foods. If you want quality you will have to pay a little more. However, while the price is greater, the value is much greater. Taking value into account in any transaction is very important. (I am referring to whole foods only in this case. Organic cookies are still cookies; eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.)
If I owned a fully functioning Ferrari and said, “Hey, I’ll sell you this hunk of scrap metal for 1,000 dollars,” chances are you would jump on that deal because the car itself is valued much higher than the price.
Why do we not think about our food this way?
Terms explained:
Organic food – “Organic” means free of genetic modification, questionable or toxic farming practices (sewage sludge/petroleum products/synthetic fertilizers), and toxic pesticides and herbicides that have been linked to cancer, thyroid and neurological disorders, infertility, multiple sclerosis, and numerous other problems. Organic Whole foods should be the standard!
Local Food - “Local” implies that the food is no farther than one day’s driving travel from your area. Local is important because it provides fresher food - food that has not had the time to accumulate molds and bacteria and has not lost as much nutritional value. Large chain stores such as Wal-Mart and even Whole Foods ship most of their produce out from large farms in California or Mexico (farm > distribution center > store). By the time you get your food it is potentially 3 weeks old, more or less, depending on your location. We are lucky we have the technology to move food this far,; however, it will never be the best option regarding freshness or ecological impact.
Seasonal Food - Buying in season goes hand-in-hand with buying local. Eating seasonally not only lowers the cost of food (because it’s fresh and readily available) but allows you to get the most nutritional value. Apples from one season are often stored using various gases. Other fruits are picked unripe, then ripened artificially with ethylene gas. This not only sacrifices taste but also nutritional quality as the plant has not had time to mature.
Because Nature’s Garden Delivered is providing high quality organic food, it is a much higher value. To generate this higher value/quality the cost of production is more. However, due to their powerful networking and management skills NGD is able to do all the dirty work for you and provide highly competitive prices.
Check out their website for prices - http://naturesgardendelivered.com/
Use coupon code “Phoenix” to receive $5.00 off your box.
Lack of selection?
Lack of selection can definitely be a letdown. I have gone to many farmers markets only to find 30 cucumber and tomato stands. As much as I love cucumbers and tomatoes the lack of variety can be quite upsetting. Nature’s Garden Delivered does a great job of keeping a large variety. They do this by connecting with new farmers and finding new sources and new varieties of vegetables and fruits. Purple Sweet Potatoes are one option I would definitely recommend trying when in stock.
To check out NGD’s list of available foods for the week click the link below. After creating an account you will be able to see the full preferences list and pick what you do and do not want to see throughout the course of the year and various seasons.
Local farmers are hard to get to!
Nature’s Garden Delivered delivers! Shipping days vary based on location. Click Below to check availability in your location. Or create availability by setting up a Co-op (see below).
There’s more!
NGD offers a Co-Op service. By setting up a Co-op in your area you have the potential to earn discounts on your purchases. Set up a Co-Op and introduce your friends, family, and coworkers to local, healthy foods. More information below,
NGD also has recipes and a blog on their website to help educate and enable you to make healthier and more sustainable food choices.
I am very impressed with Nature’s Garden Delivered and their service; I use it regularly. The customer service team and owners go above and beyond and will work with you immediately via email or phone if you have any questions, concerns, or problems with your order. I have only had one issue (defective cabbage) thus far and it was rectified immediately!
Once again, receive $5.00 off your Box by using coupon code “Phoenix”.
View Pictures on their facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/NaturesGardenGA
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