The Produce Box of Raleigh

Frequently Asked Questions

How much produce is in a standard box? Our standard (small) box ($23.00 per week)  is designed for a family of three-four. If your family are big "veggie-eaters", you may want to get two boxes, or add additional produce when needed.

The box will have 6-7 different types of veggies and fruit in each box, depending on what’s coming from the fields. We only BUY LOCAL, and do not ship in produce from other states or countries. We want to be able to personally visit EVERY farm we work with. We are proud to know the owners, their families and their dogs (friendly or not!)

Each week you can “add-on” other items, like extra asparagus, or local bread and honey, or extra strawberries. So you can customize by adding extras of "what you like"  to the box. This is nice because sometimes it's hard to pick which box to order...the add ons help you create the PERFECT box for your family.

When can I place an order?    The order system is only available from Friday (usually around noon) when the menu is sent to you until 9 PM on Sunday.   The deadline for orders is 9 PM on Sunday as the orders go to the farms at 5 am on Monday. Be sure you have an email listed with us that you will be checking over the weekend! If you do not receive the email,remember tol go online to order your box.

Where do I change the box I want to order or add on additional items?   You can only change an order while the system is available for orders.  You must log in between midday Friday and 9 PM on Sunday when the ordering period ends. Your last order supercedes any other, so even if you change your mind five times over the weekend, you're only billed for the last change.

 What if my veggie is bruised? Or the corn has worms....I'm not picking this produce out myself, you know.....

We work under the old adage "Try not to waste good food". If we notice a small blemish, we will put it in the box, hoping you can use it even with the bruise. We don't ask for perfection from our farm-partners, but try to buy as much of their harvest as we can, without sacrificing too much quality.

So try your best to cut away the bruised part and use the rest, but if it's a bigger problem than that, we're happy to replace it. If it's a really big problem, and it was on something you were planning to use right away, we will hand-deliver a replacement the next day. If you can wait, we'll pop a replacement in with your next box order.

With respect to worms, that's a different question. We are really asking our farms not to spray with pesticides unless necessary, and they are trying to follow that request.  Personally, we'd rather have a small  worm than chemicals, and hope you feel the same way. if more than a third or so of the corn or fruit has been "munched on", we're happy to send some more with your next box.

Basically, we're going to work with you, work with our farm-partners, and work with each other to figure out this new "local food system", together. We're entering our fifth season in 2012 and it looks like it will be better than ever!