Weekly Newsletter
January 10th, 2017
Serving Berkshire County Since 2008
 Greetings!
Two months ago we launched our new website because our old one needed to be updated and refreshed and it wasn't possible to do it with the existing program we were using. The website developer that we are currently using has created websites for hundreds of other delivery services and similar businesses throughout the country and while we knew there were many features with this new site that would help us move forward, we also understood that there were certain features we would have to part with initially that our customers may miss.
 
Launching a new website for any business can be a stressful experience but because ours is so unique to our delivery service and has a shopping cart, the process can be even more taxing. We have experienced some technical issues and fixed the majority of them as quickly as possible. Two of the biggest things we are working on improving now are the speed of the shopping pages and the functionality of the search box. You should see improvements with both of these sections within the next week or so.
 
Because we have such a wonderful customer base, many of you have sent us your feedback and we are extremely grateful for that. Some of you have noticed not all 5,000+ products we offer in the market are listed yet on the website but if you notify us of what you're looking for we've been able to add those items to your order right away.
 
We want to thank everyone for your patience and assistance as we move forward with this new website. Please continue to send us requests, notify us of any issues, and keep us posted on what we can do to make your online grocery shopping experience better. We thank you for your continued support.
Advantages of Shopping Online
with Berkshire Organics  
  • Stop Compulsive Shopping - Now you can avoid those impulse buys and stay on budget.
  • Competitive Pricing - Berkshire Organics offers the freshest, local and organic produce at prices rivaling that of major grocery chains. We'll have another price check coming out soon. We are also very competitive on the bulk and locally-made products we carry. We do our best to stay in line with grocery items. Sometimes the big stores get better deals based on volume but we're always trying to offer products at the most affordable rate possible.
  • Shop with Confidence - We've done all the work for you. Our main priority at Berkshire Organics is to carry LOCAL, Organic and Non-GMO. Every product ingredient list has been reviewed.
  • Stay Warm - We deliver all Winter. Why worry about driving to the market when we're already passing through your neighborhood making deliveries?
  • Spend Wisely- When shopping on the Berkshire Organics website, you should feel good knowing your money is going directly to a small, locally-owned business who works directly with small local farms and businesses. Several studies have shown that when you buy from an independent, locally owned business, rather than a nationally owned businesses, significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers and farms -- continuing to strengthen the economic base of the community.
  • Avoid Crowds - There are no long lines that you are forced to stand in just to make a purchase.
  • Save Time - You can place your order online and move on to other things.  
Local Produce Report
A new farm, Windsor Jams Farm,
is now supplying us with local Microgreens!

Local produce items in this weeks baskets include:
  • Purple Carrots
  • Savoy Cabbage
  • Watermelon Radish
  • Butternut Squash
  • Apples, Pears & More.
  
All Basket and A La Carte
orders are due by  
12 NOON WEDNESDAY  

If you need assistance logging into your account, please contact 
Organic Produce Sale Items
Green Beans
$1.99 / pound
Valencia Oranges
4 lb bag $4.99
Grape Tomatoes
$2.49 / pint
Cucumber


Cucumbers
$1.99 / pound
Celery
$1.49 / bunch
GOLD Kiwi
$2.99 / pound
Warming Beverages for Your Health
Immunity Booster
Starting your morning routine with warm water and lemon has definitely become a trend that shows no sign of slowing down. I was doubtful of this ritual at first and found it hard to commit to but I kept hearing about all of its benefits so I did my best to stay committed to the routine Monday through Friday. Now I find I enjoy it so much and my body doesn't quite feel as good throughout the day if I skip it, so I do it every morning. I've even gotten my coffee loving husband to enjoy it with me and he also rarely misses a morning with out it.
 
Because I have experienced the feel good benefits of the lemon water first thing in the morning, I recently decided to step it up a notch and follow my lemon water with a immunity boosting elixir I recently read about in Deepak Chopra & Kimberly Snyder's new book, Radical Beauty (this book is a life changer!).
 
The first few times I drank this elixir, I must admit it was a challenge but now I absolutely love the way I feel almost immediately after drinking it. It warms me up, it gives me a boost of energy, it clears up my sinuses of any congestion and it gets rid of any brain fog I have so I'm ready to start work with a clear mind.

Here's how to make this elixir:
  • Pour hot water over fresh sliced ginger & turmeric in a mug.
    Steep for 5 minutes.
     
    I use the ginger "meat" for my smoothies and use the skin for this elixir so nothing goes to waste.
     
  • Add some fresh lemon juice, cayenne pepper, cinnamon and a small amount of raw honey.
Sale online only
Bundle includes:

2 lb bag fresh organic lemons

1 lb fresh organic ginger

1 lb fresh organic turmeric

Craving something creamy & comforting?
I've finally stopped craving Chai Tea lattes from Starbucks. It has taken me a while but I found this warm, creamy, dairy-free beverage soothes my sweet and comforting beverage needs. 

Warm some hemp milk (yes, I know, hemp milk doesn't sound great but it's surprisingly creamy).
Add your favorite herbs and spices (cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and maybe even some turmeric). Finally, add some local honey.
Sit back and enjoy!

sale online only
Cheese & Wine of the Week
15% OFF
Manchego
For three months this Manchego Cheese ages naturally, gradually forming its yellowish golden rind and an ivory colored cheese with a rich, buttery flavor. This flavor and perfume are obtained by using milk from only select herds of pure Manchega sheep.

This cheese pairs wonderfully with
the wine of the week!
10% OFF

2013 Joan d’ Anguera La Planella

Catalonia, Spain

Grape Varietal: 50% Carignan, 45% Syrah and 5% Garnacha 

Designation: Biodynamic and Organic 

Notes: In the glass the wine is a beautiful cherry-red with purple hues. On the nose fresh and intense with aromas of red fruit, balsamic and a spicy background but balanced and very enjoyable. It is elegant, tasty and full bodied. On the palate the wine dense, plush and fruity, highlighting chocolate and cherries with a definite spicy, toasty and nice warming finish. Very balanced complexity and great mouth feel. 

Drink if you enjoy: A well rounded, full body handcrafted Spanish wine made with great technique and outstanding integrity!  The wine will not disappoint but only enhance any hearty meal.

Featured Recipes
Butternut Kale Lasagna
Pair this healthy and satisfying dish with a Riesling style biodynamic wine!

Sweet & Sour Carrot Orange Salad
This salad is a stunning rainbow of colors.

Product Selection Review
Organic Seal

We would like to remind you about our system for vetting the foods that we sell at Berkshire Organics.   

First, we'll need to define a few things:

Organic: In the US, federal organic legislation defines three levels of organics. Products made entirely with certified organic ingredients and methods can be labeled "100% organic". Products with at least 95% organic ingredients can use the word "organic". Both of these categories may also display the USDA organic seal. A third category, containing a minimum of 70% organic ingredients, can be labeled "made with organic ingredients". 

Local/Sustainable practice: Many of the small, family farms that we support are not certified organic, but rather use organic and/or sustainable practices. It's important to distinguish between the two, since organic products can be unsustainably produced on large industrial farms, and farms that are not certified organic can produce food using methods that will sustain the farm's productivity for generations. If given the opportunity to choose between a large-scale industrial organic farm and a local sustainable practice farm, we choose local. 

Non-GMO: Genetic modification has become the norm in conventional agriculture, creating a system that favors suicide seeds (which will not produce new crops, thus eliminating seed saving practices), pesticide tolerance, draught tolerance, high yield characteristics... all modifications that come with a host of health and environmental concerns. Some crops are more likely to be genetically modified than others: soy, corn, canola, cottonseed, sugar beets, Hawaiian papaya, some varieties of zucchini and crookneck squash. If these crops (or the resulting products) are not certified organic, heirloom, or labeled "non-GMO," then they are likely to contain genetic modification.

GMO AG
Our selection process:

At Berkshire Organics an ideal food item is organically certified and locally produced, and we support several farms and producers in MA, NY, and VT that fall under this category. Since organic certification is a lengthy and expensive process (and since many local family farms are using organic practices without certification) we also seek out produce and products that fit under the "sustainable practices" category as well. 

As we carefully select products to offer at Berkshire Organics we seek out local, sustainably produced, certified organic items first. If an item is not certified organic we look at the ingredient list for those likely to be GMOs. If they contain one or more of the ingredients listed above, then we opt not to carry them. In many cases, we may choose to remove the product from our shelves.

Next we look for products that are non-local but sustainably produced and certified organic. A viable alternative would be non-local, non-certified items that are produced under organic practice guidelines and contain no GMOs.

When it comes to Certified Organic products we always aim to carry the product made by the smaller, independently owned company. Many organic brands have been purchased by large, conventional mega-corporations trying to get their share of the organic pie so to speak. Many of these large corporations have donated thousands and even millions of dollars to fight GMO labeling campaigns across the country. We are working hard to familiarize ourselves with who owns who in the organic world so that we only support those companies who are doing good for our food system. We are selective about the products we place on our shelves and appreciate your support and feedback. 
THANK YOU
Thank you for supporting a small, locally owned business, our local farms and local food artisans. 

Your continued support throughout the Winter months is greatly appreciated. 
 
Aleisha & Brian Gibbons
Owners, Berkshire Organics, LLC

813 Dalton Division Rd.

Dalton, MA 01226


413-442-0888

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