The Produce Box

Wow...I can't believe we've come to the end of another delicious season, and I’m reflecting on not just THIS year, but the TEN years that we've been working to create a new local food system that WORKS!  It works for our farmers , because they are able to do what they do best, and then get paid for it when they walk in the door, not weeks or months later. It works for our employees , many of whom have been with us 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 years, and who have grown in our company as we've grown. It works for our community partners , who enjoy the fruits of our labor and of your buying choices, resulting in hundreds of pounds of produce donated every week to food banks and pantries in your communities...and of course, it works for you , our members, who appreciate that local goodness hand-delivered to your door by your neighbor down the street! So, at the end of the year...I owe YOU a thank you. You have made a choice to trust us to feed you and your family on a routine basis....

We're excited to start 2018 with La Farm Bakery breads on our menu! Their loaves are hand-crafted daily and the entire production process occurs on-site. From the hand shaping and the slow rising of the bread that gives it its characteristic depth of flavor, to the exact moment when it comes out of their specialty European stone-hearth oven. La Farm’s Master Baker is Lionel Vatinet. He has risen as one of the highest quality bread producers in America, having been recognized by the James Beard Foundation as a semifinalist for "Outstanding Baker" in 2015. His passion for bread was first nurtured when, at age 16, he joined France’s prestigious artisans’ guild, Les Compagnons du Devoir. After apprenticing with European bakers, he emerged 7 years later with the hard-earned title of Maitre Boulanger (Master Baker) and pledging to devote his life to teaching, sharing and preserving the ancient art and science of bread baking. Thanks to his depth of knowledge – from grow...

Guest post from our friend (and member!) Kate at Life of A Ginger , one of our blog faves! I’ve been a customer at The Product Box for just about six months now and I LOVE the company. I can place an order every week or skip weeks when I’m all stocked up. And I can order as much, or as little as I want, a bit of this and that, so I can try a new-to-me item like Muscadine grapes, purple tomatoes, collards, or mustard greens. Comfort food. You will find comfort food all over the country but here in the South comfort food is taken to a whole new level. Fried chicken, cornbread, chicken and dumplings, shrimp and grits, biscuits and gravy, chicken and waffles, fried green tomatoes, and of course, the ever-popular macaroni & cheese, to name a few. But the food served in the South during the holidays, oh man, there is nothing else like it on earth. People go all out when they are preparing for Christmas dinner. Ham, turkey, prime rib, beef tenderloin, dressing, baked macaroni ...

Orange Sky Organics adds local color to The Produce Box We've just started working with a new organic partner from Cary and we couldn't be more excited to tell you all about them! Michael and David became friends at work as they both had an interest in farming. They investigated the types of crops that would grow well in this area and settled on turmeric and ginger. They also recognized that there was a need for these organic items to be grown locally on the east coast. That's where some local love and hope came in to help them along! Good Hope Farm in Cary is a new cultivator farm created through a partnership between local nonprofits and the Town of Cary that seeks to connect new farmers to the land and resources they need to get started. Michael and David partnered with Good Hope to start their farming efforts and the results... you'll see in our Boxes! Both ginger and turmeric are known for their health and healing benefits. They have anti-inflammatory prope...

Each year, almost 3,000 members order Community Boxes from our menu. Where do they go? How do they help make a difference? We’ve partnered with charitable organizations across the state and in your area. Their efforts combined with the donations of our members means that hungry people get fed… and they get local, healthy fruits & veggies from The Produce Box! We’ve worked with the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle in the Triangle for more than five years. They don’t just feed the hungry but also teach skills for self-sufficiency and pioneer solutions to END hunger. Over 42% of what the Food Shuttle distributes is fresh produce -- so their partnership with The Produce Box was a natural!   “So far in 2017, The Produce Bo x has donated over 3,200 pounds of fresh produce to help feed those people in our region that are food insecure. This generous donation allows for the production of over 2,740 meals to children and adults. Passing along our heartfelt thanks!!!” said Dave...

This is the time when you will start seeing winter squash in many of our Boxes. Local farmers like Gary from Fuller Farms are working hard to grow and harvest this bountiful seasonal veggie. What to do with the squash in your Produce Box? Whether it's Butternut, Acorn, Spaghetti or even Butterkin, we have a few ideas for you! 1. Deliciously simple to roast . Roasting a winter squash is a sure way to permeate your home with a hearty warmth before the meal is even served. After roasting (and cooling for a minute) the squash is ready to serve or scoop out of the shell. 2. Perfect in lasagna or quesadillas . Many winter squashes have a deep yellow or almost “cheesy” color that blends well with cheese or in place of it. Its sweet and light flavors complement many of our family favorites. 3. Versatile flavors that shine in sweet or savory dishes . The winter squash is equally delicious roasted on the half shell with a dot of butter, brown sugar and cinnamon or cut int...

Pumpkins: from home decor to downright delicious! Celebrate the gourd of the season! This little gem's popularity is on the rise! Cute as a button sugar pie pumpkins are sweeter and less stringy than regular carving pumpkins, making them perfect for your favorite fall dishes. Roast them, puree, make a soup, and be sure to toast the seeds! How to use your pumkin Pumpkin adds moisture and can be substituted for oil in some recipes to reduce the fat content. Create a festive flair to the table by hollowing out a small pumpkin and using it as a bowl for soup or salad. Pumpkin Fun Facts Pumpkins’ are rich in beta carotene, which may help reduce the risks of cancer. Pump-kin is a good source of fiber, which aids in digestion, and they are rich in vitamins A & C. Pumpkin Pie Pancakes from Our State Magazine Yield: 8 pancakes. 1 ½ cups milk 1 cup canned pumpkin 1 egg 2 tablespoons salted butter, melted 2 tablespoons white vinegar 2 cups all-purpose flour ...

Grapefruits and Oranges in my Produce Box? Why you will see regional produce on our menu late Fall through Spring I love grapefruit and fresh oranges are delicious, but I know these are not NC produce... assumed The Produce Box made a commitment to fresh LOCAL produce, so please help me understand why non-local items are being offered . (Sarah, Raleigh member) Sarah, Thanks so much for your note! Three years ago, we made a decision as a company to add some regional items to the boxes during the winter months through early April and then go back to all North Carolina produce the rest of the year. During the colder months there is not a lot of variety available in NC: mainly root vegetables, apples (through early December), sweet potatoes, and greens such as collards and cabbage. In the past, when we ended our year in November, our NC farmers still had more produce to harvest and sell!    By adding some regional items to the boxes such a...

Growing Organically Wiebe Farmin' began in 2003 as a mixed organic vegetable farm in the mountains of Western North Carolina. After a few years of growing a wide variety of crops, Ryan Wiebe increased his farm to 6 acres. Then in 2008 the farm earned the designation of “certified organic”. Wiebe decided to increase their organic garlic production and eventually settled on one outstanding variety: German Extra Hardy.  This  type has a large bulb with large easy to peel cloves with excellent flavor.  Wiebe did not grow up farming in his native Florida, but after coming to NC and finding a place he loved, he then found a passion for farming. With a lot of hard work, he has turned this passion into a successful organic farm. He says he gained a great deal of his knowledge from the reading and asking questions – much of it thanks to the North Carolina Cooperative Extension. In 2014, Ryan was named North Carolina Small Farmer of the Year by the Cooperative Exten...

Michael's English Muffins is a new artisan we've been working with this year and we're excited to introduce you to Annabelle and tell you all about her! Where did the name come from?  "Michael’s" is a dedication to Annabelle's late father, Michael J Comisar, a successful restauranteur. His sense of hospitality combined with hard work was instilled in her from the start. He left behind the legacy of the legendary Maisonette, an award winning, 41-consecutive five star French restaurant in Cincinnati, Ohio. How did Michael's get its start in NC?  Annabelle started here using her sommelier training in a position with Sour Grapes. Establishing new relationships through wine distribution to local restaurants, she fell in love with this new city. Annabelle also credits Blue Oven Bakery with training and guiding her as a chef. They are the most sought after bread company in Cincinnati and she now brings their secret recipe and their vision to work in he...

Welcome Chef Alyssa to TPB We are thrilled to have Chef Alyssa’s products in our TPB lineup! We have the Champagne Tomato Jam and Mustard Spread. Chef Alyssa is a chef in the Charlotte area. She and her husband joined their skills together to create Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen to provide a relaxed space for people to enjoy learning new cooking skills. Chef Alyssa has had great success with the cooking school. She has received several Best of Cooking Class awards in Charlotte and she also appeared on Food Network's Beat Bobby Flay. In May 2016 she and her husband launched Chef Alyssa’s Spreads. The mustard and tomato jam can be used for spreads, marinades and dressings. Best of all they are made from all-natural ingredients and preservative free. The Champagne Tomato Jam is sweet and spicy. It is made from tomatoes, champagne vinegar, and other spices. Try it as a spread on top of a brie cheese, crackers, roasted veggies or even on your next burger! The Smoked Chili ...

We recently carried an Adventurous Chef's Box built by local Triangle Chef and Restaurateur Jason Smith of 18 Seaboard! Chef Jason Smith and his wife Lauren dreamed of owning a special restaurant. In 2006 they opened the doors to 18 Seaboard. Chef Smith leads a culinary group committed to serving contemporary Southern inspired dishes with over 60% of ingredients sourced from North Carolina farms, ranches, fishmongers and dairies. His love of NC and comfort food is evident in all of his food and drinks. Here's a Fall salad recipe he shared with us: Seaboard Bibb Salad Ingredients: · 1 bunch Bibb lettuce · 3 Asian pears · ½ cup butter beans · 1 teaspoon butter · 1 tablespoon blackening seasoning · ½ butternut squash · 4 Cherokee purple tomatoes · ½ cup extra virgin olive oil · ½ cup apple cider vinegar · 2 tablespoons honey · 1 tablespoon fresh thyme · Salt and pepper to taste Directions: Cut pears...

We're excited to introduce you to Sunshine Energy drinks - on our menu for the first time! Sunshine is unlike other energy drinks and we're so excited to have it on our menu for the first time for purchase this weekend. It refuels your body through electrolytes, vitamins and just enough caffeine. Born in Winston-Salem, it has the perfect balance of taste and function to keep you well-hydrated at the gym, running errands and even when you’re home sick. The founders of Sunshine, Keith Vest and Joe Parrish, wanted to create an alternative to the "Big Box" energy drinks that were already on the market. They wanted to "create a product that had more personality, was more authentic, more geared towards regular people,” Parrish said. They needed a character for their brand like Betty Crocker. This lead them to create the fictional character of Buck O’Hairen, a North Carolina moonshiner. As the legend goes Buck had one to many moonshine drink...

Simple to make and perfect for the cooler days ahead! This creamy butternut squash soup gets an exciting twist with curry and coconut. Chef tip...freezes great! Make a double batch and store in freezer for up to a month. 2 shallots, roughly chopped 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped 6 cups butternut squash (about 1 small butternut squash) cut into cubes Salt & Pepper 2 Tbsp curry powder 1/4 tsp (big pinch) ground cinnamon 1 14-ounce can light or full fat coconut milk 2 cups vegetable broth Garnish: Roasted pumpkin seeds Sour cream Heat a large pot over medium heat. Once hot, add oil, shallots, and garlic. Sauté for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Do not allow to burn. Add butternut squash and season with salt and pepper, curry powder, and ground cinnamon. Stir to coat. Then cover and cook for 2-4 minutes. Add coconut milk and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes or until squash is fork te...

Our family of members is a powerful group! We not only offer support to our local communities here in North Carolina but more than 1,000 members pitched in to purchase Community Boxes earlier this month to help with Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. The proceeds from these Boxes were sent to Farmhouse Deliveries in Houston, Texas. They are a company similar to ours who we have traded ideas and stories with for years. This is from their Mission Statement: We believe that food and community are interdependent. Water one, and the other grows. Feed one, and the other thrives. To feed the next generation of Texans, to ensure a strong food community tomorrow, there's work to be done today. And that's what we're here for. Here's a note from Steph, the founder of Farmhouse Deliveries about the donations we made to their community: Dear Courtney, I want to tell you just how thankful and truly touched we all are by The Produce Box and your customers' donations. ...