With Earth Hour 2009 now under our belts and Earth Day 2009 approaching on April 22, you may be wondering what more you can do to decrease the carbon footprint you’re leaving behind. We will try to premeditate something.
Here in the land of Lincoln and the agriculturally rich Midwest, there is a really great service available that some of us were not aware of. Many of us may think of our our grocery store as our trip to the grocery store. But what if you can’t make it to the store as a mom or a busy professional? What if you’re looking for only healthy organic food available at a conventional establishment and they don’t have whole food. became immobile? What are your local organic cation options?
According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, the majority of the product travels through the United States medium. 1,500 miles before it’s sold (and that’s not considering how much produce from around the world needs to travel to us.) When we’re in the store, we think of global warming rain that’s been released into the air all over. which way? And what about the health risk of eating produce susceptible economies through conventional agriculture?
Two large companies in the western suburbs of Chicago are here to provide easier access to local organic food. It is also possible that the advantage has not just been mentioned. By supporting these companies, you are making a conscious choice to support your local communities, keep businesses thriving in your community, keep fresh produce, and avoid the harmful chemicals used in conventional agriculture.
The first look is Natural Direct LLC, www.naturaldirect.com, in nearby Oswego, IL. Natural Direct was founded in 2005. Owner Scott Dickinson was founded on the idea of a company wanting to help bridge the gap local farmers abroad produce communities after he moved to the suburbs and found it difficult to access the local produce he wanted. With a background in Distribution and Transportation and a passion for accessibility, Dickinson has been able to successfully make events happen in many communities across Illinois for 3 years now.
“Sustaining local businesses strengthens our local economy. What could be more important than keeping food local? Do we even want to take that away?” (Dickinson)
Natural Direct offers a variety of fresh individual organic and produce boxes. Although few products are available in Illinois at the moment, the company still offers a variety of United States<. /a> Department of Agriculture (USDA) certified organic fruits and vegetables – in addition to organic fruits from Canada, Mexico, and South America – to satisfy the current produce needs here in the Midwest during the “season”.
In addition to organic fruit and vegetable prepared boxes, which are priced at either $40 or $50. the variety you want, including individual organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs at affordable prices.
Natural Direct also carries a variety of organic foods from local farms. Their dairy selection includes organic items from Wisconsin farms, ranging in price from $2.99 to $6.49, and eggs, milk, half & half, cream and organic seasonal raw cheese. Foods and fish include everything from organic beef & bison, chickens, pork, various wild fish, deli meats, meats. Grass-fed beef comes from local farms in Illinois and Wisconsin and ranges in price from $5.59 for 1 lb. grass ground beef at $23.05 for about 3.6 pounds. beef sirloin tip roast.
In addition, Natural Direct also buy various packages of organic foods, including bakery, baby and baby food. Also, pastries, drinks, cereals, condiments, grains, pasta, snacks, soups, and frozen goods, not to mention the section where all the gluten products are. You can take care of most, if not all, of your grocery-shopping needs in one convenient stop at www.naturaldirect .com
My first purchase with Natural Direct included a variety of fresh, packaged, organic foods. The online shopping was a breeze, prompt and courteous customer service, and on time delivery to my door! As a busy mom who appreciates convenience, organic food variety, and believes in supporting our local community, this job option is a must! I look forward to seeing their recentreves I look forward to ordering boxes as more fruit becomes in-season here in the Midwest. .
The second type is Material Creek Organic Farms, www.tcforganics.net, located near Yorkville, IL. Stuff Creek Village Organics has been providing local USDA certified organic food delivery service within a 100 mile radius of Yorkville, IL since 1988.
At Materia Creek Organic Village you also have the option of ordering fresh organic fruits and vegetables products that range in price from $30.85 to $49.14. You can pick out pre-selected boxes or pick and choose which fruits and vegetables you want in your box, with a minimum order of $23.85 for a completely custom box. Material Creek Farms Organics suggests that by allowing them to pre-select the items in your box based on availability, seasonality, and price, you will not only have the freshest produce, but also more bang for your buck.
David T., an Oswego, IL resident and Materia Creek Farms Organic customer, had this to say about the service, “It’s easy to spend $30 on chips, snacks, and junk food, so keep the box old and organic fruits and vegetables delivered to the house for about $30 is invaluable to my family, and to the cleanliness of my diabetic needs.
David and his Timber Creek Farms family have been serving organic deliveries for 1½ years and says they enjoy a variety of fruits and vegetables every 2 weeks and the great recipes that come with the boxes that help keep meals fun and interesting.
New moms can participate in the consideration of 2 Materials Creek Village Organic specialty jars- Makin’Baby’s Food< /a> and Nourishing Box – both loaded with all the super nutrition from the best fruits and vegetables available for mom and baby. Check out their website (www.tcforganics.net) for more information on all of their special boxes designed specifically for the cook, athlete, dieter, child, health conscious, and more.
Dairy Creek Farms Organics also carries a variety of dairy products from nearby Wisconsin farms ranging from $0.49 for a half gallon of milk to $7.69 for a half gallon whipping cream They also carry a large variety of meat and fish and other organic goods – in bakery products, snacks, snacks, and drinks.
The Material Creek Farms Organics website also has a section on how to get free shipping, recipes, and charts that show what’s going to be available in the Midwest and in season.
As summer approaches, local organic foods will be available at the 96th Annual Aurora Farmers-markets”>Farmers beginning June 20 through October 3 It will be the beginning.
For further information about the companies featured here, please visit their websites:
Natural Direct LLC www.naturaldirect.com
Materials Creek Village Organics www.tcforganics.net
Sources:
Earth Day Network, http://www.earthday.net/
Natural Resources Defense Council, http://www.nrdc.org/health/foodmiles/default.asp, http://www.nrdc.org/
City of Aurora, IL, http://www.aurora-il.org/specialevents/events/farmersmarket.php, http://www.aurora-il.org/
Also:
Scott Dickinson- Owner, Natural Direct LLC
David T. – Oswego Resident and Material Creek Farms Organics Customer
http://www.tcforganics.net/
