Registration is underway for the fresh local organic box program at River Bell Garden Market in Dresden.
We chatted with Joseph Grootenboer, owner of the business, who provided details about this years revamped program.
When does the fresh local organic box program start?
“Usually it starts in the first half of June but that depends on the weather. Registration is between February and March usually. We have launched it with updated details. We have revamped our website and we are eager for new subscribers,” Grootenboer said.
How do I register?
“Follow the website. We have made it easier this year. The details are all there. Any further things you could call or email for questions but the details are all there. There is a form that makes it easy to give us all the details that we need to secure the subscription for you.”
What are some of the vegetables included in the boxes?
“Early crops, well spinach is probably our superstar. It is different and better and people want more and more of it. Later in the season kale, carrots are sweet and standout. Through the middle of the season tomatoes and green beans are fresh and flavourful.”
Grootenboer said their sweet corn has gotten rave reviews.
“We like to put that in our mid season boxes. There is a large variety beyond those special favourites.”
“Golden beats, red beats, egg plant once in awhile. Our cherry tomatoes get people excited too and they are a pretty steady thing that we get to put in there. Broccoli, we have been doing better and better every year. Taste wise people flip for it, especially the fall broccoli. That’s not the limit of what we have. There is a lot of different things.”
Where can people get the boxes from?
“We are available at the farm but we also have a Wallaceburg depot right downtown at James Street Eatery,” Grootenboer said.
“So Wallaceburg people pick it up there. Dresden or country people pick it up at the farm. There is a another depot at Port Lambton currently. We started that last year. We are happy to serve those people from Sombra or Port Lambton at that depot.”
Grootenboer said they can also do home deliveries for a premium in Wallaceburg, Port Lambton or Dresden.
“In Chatham we have depots currently,” he said.
“There has been one at a residence in the North East on Oxley for a number of years now. There has always been William Street Cafe and Eat What’s Good, they are our central locations. In Chatham we are always open to hit the other areas by using the home of someone who is willing to host the depot. So that is always a possibility too.”
To become a depot, do they contact you by calling the farm?
“Yes, emailing and indicating their willingness,” he said.
“We might solicit that if we see a certain area has a cluster of customers, we might encourage them to team up at once persons place to kind of bring it closer to their area. Last year we also had a depot in Ridgetown and Blenheim as well. We hope to do that again.”
When is registration and payment deadlines?
“Registration, we like to have everybody by March 31st although if there is room we take later people,” Grootenboer said.
“The first payment is due the 1st of April. It kind of depends on how quickly we can get to the number that works best for us.”
Do you have a set number of people who can register?
“Probably 200,” Grootenboer said.
“It depends, early on if the number gets high, we can accommodate 200. Usually, we are set for 180, which we have had the last two years.”
“Other years we have turned people away and said wait until the winter box program or wait till next year. Last year we have been less rigid that way. We have accommodated because we can adjust. Certainly up to 200, I don’t think we would be telling people to wait.”
What methods of payment do you accept?
“E-transfers are very convenient for both us and the payer,” Grootenboer said.
“On the farm, starting in April we can receive debit card payments using a point of sale device. Cheque in the mail. Cash to the home. Cash or cheque left in an envelope at our depot locations. They can get picked up by us on one of our regular deliveries.”
Anything else you want to add?
“A big thank you to all the customers and box customers we have had over the years. They have made our business thrive, made it successful and made it possible to keep doing this. We look forward to new ones and returning customers and people who recommend us are truly our lifeline and we are grateful for their excitement and participation.”
Grootenboer said there is a lot of information on there website.
He says they do their best to answer questions like ‘Will it be enough for my family?’, ‘Will it be the large box or the small box’
“We do our best to describe how to answer that question, but it is very hard to define because lifestyles are very different from family to family,” he said.
Grootenboer besides the box, which is their current focus, they will be offering eggs throughout the season for sale on the farm.
“Broiler meat birds, as well as turkeys for later in the fall for sale as a plus meat product. We have acted as sales for Ravenhammer Farm, which he produces lamb and pork. There is a link to them on our website and information on our meat page about them.”
River Bell Garden Market is located at 559 Sydenham Stree in Dresden.
Call them at 519-683-2052 or visit them online at riverbell.ca.
– This story is sponsored content
