We’re lucky we can get organic fruit and veggies year-round in Canada – regardless of the season. But it can be tricky to sort out just exactly how long or far the journey was for that green pepper, tomato, or apple now sitting in your crisper. So we love that Mama Earth Organics keeps it simple, delivering organic and mostly local produce right to our doorstep.

Mama Earth was started in 2007 by Heather and Alex Billingsley, with the goal to source organic produce directly from local farms, and to offer it at a fair price to consumers. In the beginning, Mama Earth operated out of the Billingsley’s garage. But soon the business flourished, along with the demand for local, sustainable, and fresh produce. Mama Earth now offers organic fruit and vegetable box deliveries around the GTA, on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. The produce is purchased locally wherever possible, and everything is certified organic by a third party. Which means along with those delish purple potatoes, you also get peace of mind. And during the summer season, 80-90% of the produce in Mama Earth boxes comes from local Ontario farms.

Here’s how it works: You sign up online and choose the basket to suit your needs, like the Local Basket (contains only local produce), or the Family Basket, for example. You’ll receive your first delivery in a reusable bin, which you leave to be filled at the next delivery. The contents of the boxes can change weekly, and depend on the season and what’s available. Endlessly flexible, you can skip a week, change or customize your basket at anytime, and mark up to five items you never want (eggplant tops our list!) They also offer other local products, like organic breads, cheeses, and farm-fresh eggs. And if anything arrives spoiled or damaged, they’ll refund the value of the item.

You’ll find great info on Mama Earth Organics’ site, including a blog, list of farmers they work with, and a recipe bounty (not sure what to do with those Collard Greens? Recipe to the rescue!) There’s no question Mama Earth is passionate about its produce, and we’re thankful for it.

Mama Earth Organics: www.mamaearth.ca

Yo, mama! Looking for local delicious delivery options? Than you might find these yummy:

• The Yummy Tummy Soup Company
  
• Front Door Organics
  
• Toronto’s Farmers Markets (okay not quite delivery, but delicious and local)