Good Things Come in Boxes

Shoes come in boxes, pastries come in boxes, rings, toys, gifts, jewelry, chocolate; what’s better than unwrapping a box full of goods?

There’s something particularly magical about opening a box that’s been delivered to your doorstep.  My best friend loves her deliveries from BirchBox, which is a monthly delivery of makeup products. I’ve always been a bit jealous of her packages and the excitement that comes from not really knowing what’s inside, but … makeup’s never really been my thing. Ladies and gentlemen, I’ve found my own version: Washington’s Green Grocers.

I was introduced to Washington’s Green Grocer (WGG) during my visit to Tuscarora Organic Growers a few weeks back.  WGG is a food delivery service based out of D.C. bringing food to the lucky doorsteps of area residents for the past 17 years. I’ve been trying to brainstorm different ways to source my food, and it seems like WGG is the answer.

It is an incredibly simple process: it only requires a quick registration followed  by “shopping” (online) of your groceries. You start by picking your produce among a few options: an entirely local box, an entirely organic box or a mix of the two. From there you choose your size between single, small and large. You’re also given the option to mix and match with certain foods, say, if you want more apples than oranges. Once your produce box is chosen, well, here comes the fun part. Now you can add your meats, your dry goods, some nuts, your krauts, some pickles … you name it, they’ve got it.

My box of produce from Washington’s Green Grocer (Kristy McCarron/DC on Heels)

For my first box, I stuck with the basics and bought a single mixed produce box for $27. Admittedly, I thought about my box all week. I got my email that it would arrive on my doorstep on Thursday (I gave them specific instructions of where it’s most safe), and I raced home after work, grabbed my box, ran into the house and ripped it open. This, my friends, is my version of Christmas morning. Fresh food, in a box, delivered to my door, can it get any better?

I have to say, that I was blown away by how much food was in my box. It was way more than I had anticipated for only paying a Friday night bar tab. In my box, I received beets, romaine lettuce, Valencia oranges, mangos, bananas, kale, corn, beets, yellow squash, red potatoes, Fuji apples and kiwi. Each piece of produce was beautiful. The potatoes and beets still dusted with dirt, the mango was the perfect consistency and the apples plump and juicy.

The contents included kale, bananas, beets and romaine lettuce (Kristy McCarron/DC on Heels)

I am absolutely thrilled to have learned about WGG, and I’m thinking that this will become my new weekly routine. From here on out, I’ll probably stick with the local only box (especially in our current season!), and I will certainly be adding my meats and other products. It’s an incredible resource for those who want to purchase food from anywhere that’s not a giant grocer, those who like supporting local suppliers and food artisans, or those who simply want to shave some time off of their grocery shopping. For me personally, I trust the sources, I like supporting a smaller business and I also happen to love surprises … along with the challenge of creating dishes from a box of fresh, new goods. Happy eating!