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 ...