**SEE BELOW** to answer all your questions about the Harvest Box and Bulk Buying Club!!
The Abbotsford Harvest Box and Bulk Buying Club exists to increase Food Security* by:
--- increase access to fresh and healthy foods
--- reduce costs of living
--- encourage healthy eating
--- support BC farmers
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>>What do I get from Harvest Box? and how much does each box cost?
--- Each Harvest Box is $8, and contains 10 lbs of around 7 different varieties of fruits and vegetables.
>>Can I choose what my Harvest Box will contain?
--- Harvest Box contents are not decided by our clients, but they will be the freshest seasonal produce available and packaged that same day! There are staple items (i.e. potatoes, apples, bananas, etc), and some adventurous varieties of produce as well (i.e. turnips, bok-choy, etc).
>>What if I don't really know how to use/cook the produce I get?
---Have no fear! With each of our Harvest box pick-up days, we will send out a newsletter (via email and also paper copies at pick-up locations) that will include recipes, tips, and fun facts.
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>>What items does the Bulk Buying Club offer?
--- Non-perishable and household items (i.e. flour, cereal, and toilet paper).
--- See our website for a complete list: http://www.vibrantabbotsford.ca/projects/food-security/bulk-buying-club-order-form/
--- You can also comment on our Facebook page to make suggestions of other items we should include in the future!
>>Why order non-perishable and household items through the Bulk Buying Club?
--- While it may be unrealistic for you to buy in bulk at the store (after all, how does a single person or a small family finish 10 kg of flour in reasonable time?), you can still enjoy more affordable bulk-buying prices when you purchase manageable quantities of non-perishable and household goods through the Bulk Buying Club.
--- The Bulk Buying Club repackages bulk goods into smaller portions and re-sells them at exact fractional prices of what we purchased the bulk goods for. This way - our clients can save up to 60% on normal retail costs!
>>Is there a minimum order quantity?
---Nope! You can order just 1 item or as many as you like!
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>>Does the Harvest Box or the Bulk Buying Club profit from these services?
--- Absolutely not! We are completely non-profit (in fact, the monetary sums we charge don't always cover costs for transportation and handling - that's where the funding we receive buffers the difference).
>>Do I need a membership to order Harvest Box or participate in the Bulk Buying Club?
---Nope! Both these programs are open to everyone and do not require any kind of membership or membership fee.
>>How do I sign up/order?
--- You can sign-up/order in person at the Vibrant Abbots office (P208-33355 Bevan Ave., Abbotsford), or online at http://www.vibrantabbotsford.ca/projects/food-security/harvest-box/
>>When do I place and pick-up my order?
---Orders must be placed by the first and second-to-last Thursdays of each month. You can order as many as you like for each pick-up, and you can pre-order for weeks to come so you don't have to order every week!
---Orders must be picked up on the second and last Thursdays of each month (between 4-6 pm)
****(Like us on Facebook and Twitter to receive reminders!)****
>>I ordered both Harvest Box and bulk goods (through the Bulk Buying Club - do I have to pick them up separately?
---If you ordered both Harvest Box and bulk goods - we will have them ready for you to picked up together.
>>How do I pay for my orders?
---You will be paying via credit card if you order online
---You will be paying via cash if you order in person at our office
---You can also pre-pay for future orders via cash if you visit our downtown location at ACS Community Living (2539 Montvue Ave.)
>>Where do I pick-up my order?
---We have three pick-up points in the Abbotsford area for your convenience
* ACS Community Living (2539 Montvue Ave.)
* Eugene Reimer Middle School (3433 Firhill Drive)
* UFV Abbotsford Campus (C1015-33844 King Road, Student Union Building)
>>What if I have more questions?
--- You can contact us via phone: 778-880-8516, via email: alison@vibrantabbotsford.ca, in person at our office, or via our Facebook page by leaving a comment.
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**Food Security exists when “all people at all times have access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life” (WHO).
-----There are three key components to food security:
1. Food must be available, consistently and in sufficient quantities.
2. Food must be accessible, for all demographics.
3. Food must be produced and distributed in a sustainable manner which ensures the wellbeing of current and future generations.
Despite abundant resources and productive farmland, many Abbotsfordians experience moderate to severe levels of food insecurity. Many factors impact an individual's ability to access safe, nutritious foods, including:
- Household income
- Level of physical dexterity and mobility
- Personal and public transportation
- Proximity to grocery stores
- Cost of food
- Access to food storage and preparation spaces
Vibrant Abbotsford Food Security is committed to reducing food insecurity in Abbotsford by increasing access to fresh, healthy, affordable foods and providing education and life skills training.
The Harvest Box program is a great way to increase your consumption of nutritious, fresh produce AND support BC farmers!
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Join us in building a Food Secure Abbotsford! Order a Harvest Box for you or a loved one for your gift of abundant health, nutrition, and community initiative support!
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