Disclaimer: this is a long post because I am passionate about SavRaw and what they're doing!! I started subscribing to SavRaw Farmbox in January 2014 and was so pleased with this local, family owned business and the quality of their food that I decided to volunteer with the company. Let me say that the produce is awesome, but it is so much more than that. Subscribing and volunteering with SavRaw has undoubtedly been one of the best things that could have happened to me. Not only have I majorly improved what I put into my body and my overall health, I also feel rooted to the food that I am eating because I know where it is coming from.
Now that I've been eating SavRaw produce for over a year, I can literally TASTE the difference between their produce and what you can buy in the market. Even organic produce purchased from Whole Foods or Trader Joe's just can't compare!!! If you are concerned about eating only certified organic, it is important to note that many small farmers cannot afford the cost of becoming certified. This does not mean a lower quality product or that they are using conventional industrial agriculture practices!!! I have found that these farmers go above and beyond what it takes to become certified organic, eschewing pesticides and implementing sustainable practices in their farms. It is clear that they put so much care and attention into growing the best food possible, and the produce proves it. SavRaw's owner, Kali, has a personal relationship with each farmer she works with, taking the time to learn about their individual practices and struggles out on the farm. Personally, I'd much rather prefer to support these local, small farms as opposed to large, company-owned chain health food stores.
By subscribing to SavRaw farm box, you will inherently begin eating seasonally, and enjoy a variety of truly local foods. I've started to really enjoy this way of eating. I now look forward to the foods that I eat during their natural growing season, let me tell you a tangerine is SO exciting when you haven't had one since the previous season! The variety is great because when left to our own shopping habits, most people tend to purchase and eat the same foods over and over. By eating a variety of foods, you will automatically be consuming a wider variety of nutrients, without even having to think about what to buy at the market.
One of the benefits that I enjoy the most is how long the food lasts. I swear I have saved produce even up to 4 weeks (and longer) that still tastes incredibly fresh. Of course this is my own experience and it depends on the veggie, some produce naturally lasts longer than others, but I've been able to keep food fresh for much, much longer than any produce I have ever purchased before. Since SavRaw's produce is picked only days before it is delivered to you, the shelf life can be extended well beyond what you are used to buying in the grocery store. In the end, this saves so much money because you don't end up throwing away food that has gone bad before you can eat it.
I should also mention that on the rare occasion that a customer is not satisfied with their order, Kali makes every effort to correct the issue. Just email her and she's more than happy to make it right! That's the difference with a small, local family owned company like SavRaw. Customers have the opportunity to communicate directly with the owner of the business. If you want something that isn't listed on the website, contact Kali and she is always quick to respond.
Please be assured I was not asked to write this review and I am not a paid employee. With this post I wanted to share my experience to people interested in subscribing to a CSA farm box, to help others in their search for the CSA that is right for them. This is THE BEST of the CSA's I've encountered and there are so many more reasons than what I've already written. I could continue to sing praises for SavRaw, but I'll end here for now. There really is no risk to try this service, and trust me, you won't be disappointed! read more