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bout Our Certified Organic Produce:
What is organic food?
How do we know it's organic?
What is "transitional" organic produce and why do you include it in my
Fresh Box
™?
Where does the organic produce come from?
Where can I find out more about organic food and related issues?
About Our Delivery Service:
When will my Fresh Box™ be delivered?
What if I'm not home for a delivery?
What if I'm going away on vacation or need to take a break for a week or two?
Can I pick up my Fresh Box™?
How is my Fresh Box™ delivered?
What if I forget to leave my Rubbermaid container at my front door?
What if I live in an apartment building?
Can I give Front Door Organics as a gift?
Do you sell Fair Trade products?
About Payment:
How can I pay for my Fresh Box™?
What if I forget to pay?
How do I know if I was invoiced correctly?
About the Fresh Box™:
What is a Fresh Box™ and how much does it cost?
What the heck are ‘Add-Ons’?
What's the difference between the Basic and Custom boxes?
A vibrant sampling, you say - can you show me some examples of your
Fresh Box™?
What's in my Fresh Box™ this week? What about next week?
What if I don't want beets? EVER!
When is my deadline?
What on earth will I do with rutabaga, bok choy or daikon?
You included a great recipe for beet salad in your newsletter a few weeks ago; can I get that recipe again?
How do I store my organic produce?
What if I'm not happy with something in my Fresh Box™?
Contacting Front Door Organics:
How can I get in touch with Front Door Organics?
What is organic food?
Organic food is food grown and processed the way nature intended: without synthetic herbicides, pesticides, fungicides,
antibiotics or genetic modification. The result? Minimal impact on the environment and better-tasting, naturally good food on your
table.
Producing, buying and eating organic food benefits both you and the environment. Organic agriculture promotes and enhances biodiversity;
limits the amount of toxins we ingest; lessens water, air and land pollution; and reduces or eliminates illnesses experienced by consumers
and by farmers and farm workers who work in fields where chemical fertilizers and pesticides are used.
According to the National Organic Standards Board, the primary goal of organic agriculture is to "optimize the health and productivity
of the interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals and people."
Here's what HORIZON Distributors, PSC Natural Foods and The Ontario Federation of Food Co-Ops have to say about organics:
Organic farming techniques have fed humankind for thousands of years. While it's true that agricultural development was by no
means perfected before the advent of chemical agriculture — poor yields and crop losses were prevalent — we are discovering that
chemicals did not really solve these problems but only covered them up for a while and at the same time caused environmental
havoc on our planet. Organic farmers reject the philosophy that we must poison our environment to produce enough food for us all to eat.
The time has come for modern agriculture to fuse the wisdom of ecological farming with modern techniques to create a high-yielding,
sustainable farming system. Today, modern organic farmers are sowing the seeds of such a system.
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How do we know it's organic?
Everything in your Fresh Box™ is guaranteed organic by one of many third-party certification agencies.
Agencies that have stringent standards and whom must comply with the Canadian Organic Regime (as of 2009 - click
here
for a list of those agencies). Individual produce will often bear the name of its certifying agency: have a look at the labels on your produce.
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What is "transitional" organic produce and why do you include it in my Fresh Box™?
"Transitional" organic produce, as its name suggests, comes from farms that are in the process of switching from conventional to organic
farming methods. In order to be certified organic, produce must come from farms and fields that have been farmed organically for three years.
A certified organic apple, for example, is one that comes from an orchard where organic farming methods have been used for three or more years.
Occasionally, we will call your attention to a "transitional" product in your Fresh Box™.
We include such produce on occasion, but we do include it because we believe that farmers should be encouraged and supported in the decision
to switch to organic methods of agriculture.
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Where does the organic produce come from?
Depending on the season, your Fresh Box™ will contain organic produce from many farms in Ontario,
other Canadian provinces, different points in North America and occasionally from further afield. Because of the high environmental toll
posed by flying, however, nothing in your box travels to our Toronto warehouse by air.
The closer to home our food is grown, the shorter distance it has to travel to reach our plates. Eating locally reduces the impact of food
production on the environment. Front Door Organics works hard to support Ontario organic farmers by including as much locally grown produce as
possible in each fresh box. During the local growing season we offer the wildly popular
Go Ontario! Fresh Box™ - a custom box for only $37 if you customize it with all Ontario produce to
encourage and promote local buying preferences.
We have built strong relationships with many local farmers and distributors, and we work closely with them as they plan for the upcoming Ontario
growing season. This communication and commitment to purchase offers an important measure of stability in an otherwise uncertain environment. We
also support Ontario organic farmers’ right to fair prices; and fair wages and working conditions for farm workers. Check out
‘Our Farming Friends’
to find out more about who we buy from and
‘Our Buying Practices’
for the low down on our purchasing commitments.
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Where can I find out more about organic food and related issues?
Here are some useful places to begin. If you come across a particularly worthwhile link, please let us know.
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Canadian Organic Growers
is Canada's national membership-based education and networking organization representing farmers, gardeners and consumers in all
provinces. FDO is a member.
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Organic Council of Ontario
is a membership-based non-profit association representing the organic sector in Ontario at a provincial and national level.
The Organic Council of Ontario represents all groups (including producers, processors, marketers, distributors, suppliers,
certifiers, retailers, restaurants and others), providing leadership and supporting the continued growth of Ontario's organic
sector. FDO is member.
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The
Organic Trade Association (OTA)
is a membership-based business association that focuses on the organic business community in North America. OTA's mission is to
promote and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public and the economy.
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Pro-Cert Organic Systems Ltd
(formely OCPP/Pro-Cert Canada) is Canada's foremost national certifier of organic food products with some 1,400 producers, processors
and traders from across Canada.
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Bioagricert International
is an Italian certification agency committed to supporting organic production throughout the world.
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Quality Assurance International
is a world-wide certification service.
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Organic Crop Improvement Association
is a non-profit, member-owned, agricultural organization, OCIA is dedicated to providing the highest quality organic certification
services and access to global organic markets.
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Oregon Tilth
is a non-profit research and education membership organization dedicated to biologically sound and socially equitable agriculture.
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When will my Fresh Box™ be delivered?
Front Door Organics delivers your Fresh Box™ weekly or every second, third or fourth week between 12
noon and 10 p.m. You don't have to be home to receive your delivery - in fact our service is based on an ‘unattended delivery model’.
We drop, ring and run!
Your delivery day depends on your address. Here's where we are each day of the week:
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Monday: Riverdale, Woodbine Heights, the Danforth and the Beach neighbourhoods, from Lake Ontario north to and including
the Parkview and Woodbine Gardens neighbourhoods.
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Tuesday: High Park neighbourhood west of Roncesvalles, from Lake Ontario north to St. Clair; Etobicoke south of Eglinton
and west to Etobicoke Creek.
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Wednesday: Central Business District, from Bathurst east to The DVP, including Regent Park, Cabbagetown and Rosedale
neighbourhoods from Lake Ontario north to St. Clair.
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Thursday: North Toronto (Leaside included), from Scarlett east to Bayview (between St. Clair and Eglinton) and Dufferin
east to Bayview, from St. Clair north to the 401.
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Friday: Downtown west, from Bathurst to Roncesvalles and from Lake Ontario north to St. Clair.
We're sorry that we cannot specify a delivery time beyond the noon-to-ten window. We manage the routes in the most efficient way possible,
considering traffic flow and congestion, using the least amount of fuel to make the maximum number of deliveries.
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What if I'm not home for a delivery?
You don't have to be at home for Front Door Organics to deliver your
Fresh Box™.
We leave the box on your front porch, in your front vestibule, in your apartment building lobby or at another mutually agreeable place.
It'll be waiting for you when you get home. Please note: in the colder winter months, the Fresh Box™
won't survive the night outdoors without freezing, so don't forget to take it inside.
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What if I'm going away on vacation or need to take a break for a week or two?
To skip a delivery, please let us know by noon at least two days in advance of your delivery or if you are a Monday customer, by noon on
the Sunday before your delivery. If you need to skip a delivery with less than two days’ notice, we would be happy to donate the food
we have already ordered for you to Anduhyaun Women's Shelter, but you will be charged for this delivery.
You can arrange to skip deliveries online by logging in and selecting "Edit Skip Dates." Click on the date(s) you'll be away. (See
FDO Website 101
for full instructions.) You can also email us at
info@frontdoororganics.com or phone us at 416.201.3000 to arrange to skip
deliveries.
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Can I pick up my Fresh Box™?
Yes! And you'll receive a $3 discount every time you pick up your Fresh Box™.
We are at 415 Horner Ave., Unit 9, and you can pick up your Fresh Box™
Tuesday through Friday between 12 noon and 4 p.m. Phone us at 416.201.3000 to make arrangements.
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How is my Fresh Box™ delivered?
Front Door Organics delivers your organic groceries in a reusable, sturdy, sealed Rubbermaid container. You pay a one-time, refundable
deposit of $10 on this container. Each delivery, we'll pick up your empty Rubbermaid and leave you with one full of fresh organic groceries.
We ask that you rinse out your Rubbermaid containers before leaving them out for pick up, we also clean them at our warehouse.
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What if I forget to leave my Rubbermaid container at my front door?
That's okay. We'll get it from you at our next delivery date — and we'll still leave your Fresh Box
™ for you! Please put both empty Rubbermaid containers out for the next delivery.
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What if I live in an apartment building?
Front Door Organics delivers Fresh Boxes™
to apartments as well as to houses. Because each apartment building is different, call us at 416.201.3000 and, together, we'll make arrangements
to get your Fresh Box™ to you.
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Can I give Front Door Organics as a gift?
Of course! A Front Door Organics’ gift certificate is a great way to honour a marriage or partnership. It's also a welcome housewarming
present, a godsend to new parents strapped for time and a thoughtful get-well present. Parents: it's a terrific way to make sure your
kids are eating well away from home. If you'd like to give the gift of a week's or month's worth of
Fresh Boxes™, give us a call at 416.201.3000 or e-mail us at
info@frontdoororganics.com.
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Do you sell any Fair Trade products?
Yes we do! Whenever possible, FDO purchases and supports Fair Trade products over and above other products, provided the Fair Trade products
are certified organic. We will always source Fair Trade bananas; coffees; sugar and cocoa products; and other Fair Trade produce (when available)
like grapefruit, avocados and pears. All products that are certified Fair Trade are labeled on our web site so that our customers can make
informed purchasing decisions. Check out
‘Our Buying Practices’
in the ‘About Us’ section of this web site for a full outline of the guidelines we operate by.
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How can I pay for my Fresh Box™?
The easiest (and most popular) way to pay is by using your credit card - we accept MasterCard and VISA. Simply call our office to give us
a credit card number. We'll save it on your customer file and bill your card automatically on the day of your delivery. You never have
to think about it. After your first delivery, you may opt to pay by cash or cheque - just let us know and be sure to leave the payment
inside your empty Rubbermaid container and leave the container outside your front door by 12 noon on your delivery day. (If you don’t have
a credit card, you can still set up your first delivery with us by mailing us a cheque in advance).
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What if I forget to pay?
If you pay by VISA or MasterCard, your payment is automatically debited to your account.
If you forget to leave cash or a cheque in your empty Rubbermaid container (or just plain forget to leave your Rubbermaid at your front door),
you have three options:
- If you're a weekly customer, just double up your payment the following week.
- If you’re not receiving another Fresh Box™
for 2 weeks or more, please mail us a cheque for the missing payment. Our mailing address is: 415 Horner Ave., Unit 9, Toronto,
Ontario, M8W 4W3
- Phone us at 416.201.3000 to put the missing payment on your VISA or MasterCard.
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How do I know if I was invoiced correctly?
Occasionally, certain items on your standing or current order may be shorted by our suppliers on the day of delivery. We will notify
you if your ‘Add-On’ grocery purchase is shorted. All produce is subject to availability and we will not notify you if your ‘Add-On’ produce
purchase is shorted or for changes to the Fresh Box™ (when it comes to more perishable fruits and
vegetables, we simply don’t have enough time to call everyone!). We will, however, always adjust your invoice so that it reflects accurately
what you receive. The day before your delivery we will email you a copy of your Sales Order (so you can see what is coming and confirm your
total). You will also receive a copy of your invoice in your Fresh Box™ along with our weekly newsletter.
If you think there is something missing from your order or you're concerned that we've mischarged you, please call or email us at your earliest
convenience.
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What is a Fresh Box™ and how much does it cost?
The Fresh Box™ is the cornerstone of our service. All our customers receive either the Basic ($37) or
Custom ($42) Fresh Box™ on a regularly scheduled basis — usually weekly or every other week. For every
Fresh Box™, we hand-pick a vibrant sampling of 10 to 15 different high-quality organic fruits and
vegetables, including as much local produce as possible when seasonally available. Prices include delivery and all applicable taxes.
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What the heck are ‘Add-Ons’?
We’re talking about over 400 certified organic grocery items that we have researched, tested and carefully selected so that you can make
FDO your one-stop organic grocery store (on wheels!). Add-Ons are anything that you purchase in addition to your Basic or Custom
Fresh Box™ and can also include as much extra produce as you and your family need! Add-Ons are priced
individually and there is no additional ‘fee’ for purchasing them, we just add the price of the item to your Fresh Box™ charge.
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What's the difference between the Basic and Custom boxes?
The Basic Fresh Box™ ($37) is compiled by FDO each week. It contains a vibrant sampling of 10 -15
high-quality certified organic fruits and vegetables, including as much local produce as possible. It does not allow for substitutions
and is considered a more economical offering - we pass the savings of lowered labour costs on to you.
Our Custom Fresh Box™ ($42) contents default to the Basic contents, however it allows you to make
UNLIMITED substitutions — as many as your heart — and stomach — desire! If you'd like, you can replace every single item in your Custom
Fresh Box™ choosing from our extensive supply of produce (more than 100 fresh organic produce items!)
Both the Custom and the Basic Fresh Boxes™ contain an equal value of fresh organic produce: $37.
The additional $5 for the custom box is for the labour and costs associated with having all that extra fresh produce on hand for you.
If you choose the Custom Fresh Box™ as your Standing Order, you can create an unlimited list of
‘Never Send’ items that will never appear in your Fresh Box™, as well as a list of produce
Preferences - stuff you either ‘Revere’ or ‘Love’. That way, if you forget to customize your box, our smart little system will automatically
remove those items listed on your Never Send list and our dedicated customer service staff will fill your box up with the produce
you prefer. You'll receive a semi-customized box.
You are welcome to switch back and forth between Basic and Custom boxes. Just log in and modify your order (see
FDO Website 101
for full instructions). Remember, even if you have Never Sends on file, they will not be removed from the Basic box - our system can’t
be fooled!
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A vibrant sampling, you say - can you show me some examples of your Fresh Box™?
Sure. Click here
to see examples of some of the wonderful Fresh Boxes™ we’ve created over the last few years.
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What's in my Fresh Box™ this week? What about next week?
The current Fresh Box™ contents are posted online on our This Week At FDO page and updated every Friday afternoon by 4pm with the upcoming box.
If you have given us permission, on the Friday before your delivery we will send you an e-mail message, ‘Your Front Door Organics’ Reminder’.
This includes a PDF attachment detailing the upcoming week’s Fresh Box™
contents as well as information about new products, specials and general organic news and events. If you wish to customize your box you can follow the link directly in the e-mail, or visit the web site to login to your account (see
FDO Website 101
for full instructions). Please keep in mind that you do not have to receive this email to modify your order.
Not near a computer? You can call us at 416.201.8579 to hear a recorded message with the Fresh Box™ contents and you can always call us with the changes you’d like to make. If we can’t answer the phone or it is after business hours, please leave a message with the details of your order.
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What if I don't want beets? EVER!
We're not your mother; we won't make you eat beets — or anything else in your Fresh Box™. Front Door Organics offers the option of a Custom Fresh Box™ that allows you to replace any and all items in your Fresh Box™ with your own selection from our extensive stock. The Custom box option also allows you to create a list of ‘Never Sends’ that you can add those pesky beets to - they’ll never appear in your box! (Note: Our more economical Basic Fresh Box™ does not allow you to make any substitutions. As well, if you have Never Sends on file, they will not be removed from the Basic box.)
You can customize your order any time after 4 p.m. on the Friday before your next delivery and up to 12 noon two days before your next delivery or up until Sunday at noon if you’re a Monday customer.
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When is my deadline?
For Monday and Tuesday customers, changes have to be in by 12 noon on Sunday
For Wednesday customers, changes have to be in by 12 noon on Monday
For Thursday customers, changes have to be in by 12 noon on Tuesday
For Friday customers, changes have to be in by 12 noon on Wednesday
Changes refer to: skipping a delivery, customizing your Fresh Box™ and purchasing additional items.
We are sorry but we cannot accommodate changes after your deadline.
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What on earth will I do with rutabaga, bok choy or daikon?
In addition to familiar foods such as broccoli, apples and carrots, our adventurous buyers at FDO will introduce you to more unusual produce including rare and heirloom varieties. But fear not: Front Door Organics makes sure to include lots of information about more uncommon produce, including a selection of recipes and tips, in our newsletter that accompanies every delivery. We hope you'll enjoy expanding your culinary repertoire!
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You included a great recipe for beet salad in your newsletter a few weeks ago; can I get that recipe again?
Yes. Simply e-mail us at info@frontdoororganics.com
and we'll send you the recipe (during regular business hours of course, there is no 911 - kitchen helpline, sorry!)
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How do I store my organic produce?Check out our
Storage Hints for tips on keeping your fruit and veggies fresher longer.
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What if I'm not happy with something in my Fresh Box™?
Front Door Organics completely guarantees every item in your Fresh Box™. If any item doesn't live up to your expectations, please give us a call or send an email to info@frontdoororganics.com. We'll replace that item with something of equal or greater value in your next Fresh Box™. If an item that you purchased in addition to your Fresh Box™ does not meet your quality requirements, we will refund the exact amount that you were originally charged.
You don’t have to send us a photo - we trust you and rely on customer feedback as part of our constant efforts to provide the best organic produce in Toronto.
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How can I get in touch with Front Door Organics?
You're welcome to call us at 416.201.3000. Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. While we try to get back to you as
quickly as possible, we will always return your messages by the end of the next business day- at the latest! You can also email us at
info@frontdoororganics.com.
Our mailing address is Unit 9, 415 Horner Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M8W 4W3.
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