Boston Organics and the Local Movement
Boston Organics has been an active and involved player in the local agricultural infrastructure in New England since we first started in 2002. We believe it is in everyone’s best interest to build a strong regional network of growers, distributors and retailers, and we think it's great that more and more people are getting on board with the local movement.
We work every day with local growers, vendors and distributors, not only because we care, but because we believe it makes good business sense! We believe in the "Gold Standard" of local AND organic , and we strive to achieve that standard as much as possible. The Boston Globe came and talked to us a while back about our place in the local mix .
The Local Box
Dedicated to local produce and seasonal eating? We offer an entirely local produce box called the "Local Box". The Local Box is a standard-sized box that only includes organic produce sourced as close to Boston as possible. We look for produce close to home and move further out until we can provide at least 8 unique items. Similar to a CSA, this box is filled with the best organic produce from local and regional farms.
The Local Box lets you eat seasonally year round. In the summer time you'll get a bountiful harvest of everything from lettuce to swiss chard, sweet corn to salad tomatoes. As autumn takes hold the box contents start to include more root vegetables, winter squash and apples, and over the winter you'll see storage crops like carrots, potatoes or onions. Once spring has sprung, the growing season gets going again and the local box greens up with lots of early season produce. To see what's in the Local Box this week, check out This Week's Box .
What is local?
So what exactly is local food? Well, that depends on who you ask! There’s actually no legal definition for local food, but the general concept is that the food is grown as close to home as possible. Here at Boston Organics, we take a more regional approach by sourcing much of our local produce from the northeast region (Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine). Check out our Local Box (formerly known as the Dogma Box) to see what’s local this week!
No regulations on "local"
Unlike the term "organic," which is strictly regulated by the USDA, there is no legal definition, no set of rules and practices, no inspection process, and no labeling guides for what exactly can be called "local" food. Therefore, it is difficult for you, the consumer, to really know if your food was grown sustainably or not. When you buy food that is local and certified organic, you can be sure that what you’re eating is free of chemicals, was not genetically modified, and was grown using eco-friendly practices!
Better for the environment
Did you know the average grocery store produce item travels about 1,500 miles from the farm to your table?! By purchasing local food, you can significantly reduce the amount of fossil fuels used in transporting food such long distances, as well as the pollutants that contribute to climate change, acid rain, and smog. However, the energy used in transportation is actually relatively small compared to the energy used during food production. Therefore, often the best thing you can do for the environment is to buy food that is both local and organic. That way, you can reduce your food miles while also purchasing food that uses less energy-intensive production practices and maintains healthy ecosystems!
Better for your health…and your taste buds!
Since local produce is often fresher than non-local produce, it can contain significantly higher amounts of nutrients! Fruits and vegetables begin to lose their nutrients from the minute they are harvested. So less time between harvesting and eating means you’ll get more of the essential nutrients your body needs to maintain optimal health. And of course, the fresher the produce, the better it tastes!
So why choose between local and organic when you can have both?
Our Growers and Vendors
Want to know where your food is coming from? Click here to check out the farmers and suppliers we work with to bring you the freshest local produce!
Click here for a fun illustration of our farm-to-doorstep process.
Sources
Check out the video below to learn more about who we are and what we do!
VIDEO