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We were subscribers to *a similar fresh foods delivery service* before we moved (locally) and liked them a lot, but according to their website, Carolina Grown seems to offer more organic choices, it's all from NC whereas the other service was not, and it seems cheaper overall as compared to the other service. Before I jump in though, I just want to see if anybody knows anything about them? I just sent them an email with a few questions. It seems like maybe they are just starting out???
I've never heard of them, so I looked them up in the NC Corporation Registry, and they just formed as a company in October 2009. So yes, they are new. It is possible that whoever created the company ran a regular CSA before, but I don't know.
I'm not sure which company you used before, but two similar companies in the area are Papa Spuds Papa Spud's and The Produce Box The Produce Boxâ„¢ . Papa Spuds is not exclusively local. The Produce Box is, but does not have quite the range of products. I know several people affiliated with the Produce Box and they are a good group. They use local folks for delivery so you are dealing with a neighbor.
The President of Carolina Grown actually emailed me back right away. He said (to quote part of his email message to me)
"This is our second year in business and we currently work with Rainbow Meadows Farm, S&W Meats, C&C Produce, West Produce, Homestead Harvest farm, Timberland Organics, Coon Rock Farm, and more in the spring when once they start producing again."
I'm still interested to see if anyone has used their service. I think we might try it since there are no contracts involved and we could cancel at any time if it turned out to not be something we wanted to continue.
I had the same concerns about Carolina Grown because they're such a new company and there seems to be so little information about them - also their website could use a little help with proofreading. I did the same as you and emailed the organization. I received a reply promptly and decided to take the leap.
I couldn't be happier. Seriously.
I just moved to NC from the West Coast and haven't had any luck with CSAs or farmer's markets in the Fayetteville area. I just received my first order from Carolina Grown last Saturday and it was great. I subscribed to their "small" weekly box and for $25 received 1 1/2 pounds chicken thighs, 1 pound of hot italian sausage links, 1 lb. cross-cut pork shank, a dozen of some of the biggest chicken eggs I've ever seen, and 1 pound of sweet potatoes. And it was all delivered to my front door in a cooler.
Again, the only faults I see so far is that they really need to work on their website. There's a bunch of typos and the payment process isn't Verisign certified - key indicators of a less than reputable website. But, I'm going to chalk it up to them being a new, very small organization.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I'm all about promoting local farmers and this seems to be an excellent way of doing so.
I am thinking I might have to make the leap, too. I looked up all the places mentioned in this thread but none of them seemed to offer milk--there is nothing I'd rather have delivered is fresh, locally produced milk for my kids. Is there any other service that has this option?
To the best of my knowledge Carolina Grown is actually partnered with a local dairy farm. They offered 1/2 gallons of whole milk in the beginning of the week, but like the first organic strawberries of the season their entire supply was ordered within the first day (the ordering window is Sunday through Tuesday for delivery on Saturday). I just checked the menu for this week, though, and they're still offering 1 lb. portions of salted or unsalted butter.
EDITED to add: Just double checked the CG website and the dairy products are through Maple View Farm.
Last edited by Green Irish Eyes; 02-24-2010 at 12:01 PM..
Reason: No links from new members
The enrollment form offers a 'referral number'. Anyone know what that is? If you want to PM me, I'd be happy to enter it since I heard about 'carolina grown' right here.
I love the fact they do chicken and other meats as well as produce so I am going to give it a try.
We were subscribers to *a similar fresh foods delivery service* before we moved (locally) and liked them a lot, but according to their website, Carolina Grown seems to offer more organic choices, it's all from NC whereas the other service was not, and it seems cheaper overall as compared to the other service. Before I jump in though, I just want to see if anybody knows anything about them? I just sent them an email with a few questions. It seems like maybe they are just starting out???
Any information is appreciated.
Local does not mean organic, and organic is very important when buying vegetables. Organic is certainly not cheap, however it is better tasting than non organic.
I would look for the place that always had the freshest and most diverse organic vegetables (might be whole foods).
I have a different perspective since I am a vegetarian, and vegetables are all I eat.
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Carolina Grown
