Fresh Harvest: Local, Organic Produce Delivered!

Have you ever had local, organic produce?  Comparing it to the conventionally grown produce you see in Kroger that has been shipped 2400 miles across the county is like comparing a Steak & Shake Steakburger to a filet mignon from Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.  They are nothing alike.

I caught up with Phillip Knight from Fresh Harvest and got to ask him a few questions about their business, what they do, and why they do it.  So far, I am really impressed with everything they are doing.  

[Graham Lutz]: What is Fresh Harvest and how does it work?

[Phillip Knight]: Fresh Harvest partners with local, organic farms and delivers their produce to people's homes and offices across the city of Atlanta and surrounding communities.  We bring in a diverse variety of produce each week depending on what is most fresh from the farms and pack each FH enjoyer's bin full of the goods that they desire.  

To join the Fresh Harvest community, you simply sign up for the bin size that best fits your lifestyle, select how often you want it to come, and walk to your front door on your delivery day.  Everyone can make as many swaps to their bins as they would like as well as add on additional items such as coffee, honey, flour, and more.  Going out of town?  One other great benefit of FH is that you can put your bin on hold at any time free of charge.
[GL]: How is organic produce any different from the produce section at Kroger?

[PK]:Well, there's organic produce and then there's local, organic produce.  Organic produce is convincingly proven to be much healthier than typical conventionally grown produce.  Organic produce is grown the old fashion way in soil free of harmful chemicals, free of genetically modified organisms, and free of poisonous pesticides.  If you don't want to eat poison, then eat organic.  

Then you have local, organic produce, and this is where Fresh Harvest greatly differs from grocery stores like Kroger.  At FH, we bring the produce in from the farm fresh every week and then it comes straight to your house.  

That lettuce was cut on Monday and shows up at your house on Tuesday.  The lettuce from grocery stores is harvested, then it travels hundreds or thousands of miles (not eco-efficient), then sits in a grocery store for a few days getting fondled by forty other people who though about buying it and then put it back.  If you want the most fresh and the most healthy, the Fresh Harvest can serve you well.

[GL]: How do you choose what comes in the bins?

[PK]: The produce in the bins is different each week based on our conversations with the farmers.  Every week we ask them what is coming in most fresh from their farm and they give us the rundown.  We think we create bins that are well balanced in diet and preferences.  

But what if you hate broccoli?  Then you can simply swap broccoli for another item that is coming in that week.  And what if you eat ten bananas in your smoothies every week?  Well, during the sign up process you can select certain items that you always want to receive in your bin, and, as long as they're in season, they'll be coming your way.

[GL]: Is this a cost effective option for families, couples, or a single guy too?

[PK]: Absolutely.  I actually ran a cost comparison a little while back just to see how it all adds up.  Basically, I went to three different grocery stores in my area which I won't name (ok, it was Kroger, Publix, and Whole Foods) and then added up exactly what it would have cost to buy that same bin of produce at each of these stores.  (Editor's note:  attached is the Price Comparison Sheet so you can see).  

Fresh Harvest's $39 bin cost $48.25 at Kroger, $37.05 at Publix, and $41.11 at Whole Foods.  And they didn't have near the selection of organic items; the quality wasn't near as good; only Whole Foods sold any produce from local farms; I had to drive to each store and spend an hour at each place.  So Fresh Harvest differs in that we save you not only money, but time and gas.  

[GL]:  Last question and it's a good one!  If you had the time and money to do ONE thing to change the world, what would it be?

[PK]:  I am so excited that you ask this question because we are lucky enough to be able to be embarking on doing that one thing right now.  With the relaunch of our brand and upgraded website, which is happening here in the next month or so, we are also going to be directly addressing the hunger problem in Atlanta and our surrounding communities.  

Free of charge for each FH customer, they will receive (or opt to have us donate for them) a bag of organic produce to give to someone in need.  It may be the family that lives in the neighborhood that is going through a tough time, the guy that lives on the street, or the local shelter or mission.  

We are so excited about this because it expresses the core values of Fresh Harvest to share the literal harvest with those around us who are in need.  Not only that, but we get to do it in our city with our neighbors that we care about, and we get to invite our customers into the story.  We have a ton to learn, but we are excited about the adventure ahead.

For more info about Phillip, Fresh Harvest, and their mission, check out their website at www.FreshHarvestDelivered.com
Use the Coupon Code Formula at checkout for 5% off your first delivered bin!

About The Author

My name is Graham Lutz, and I am the Owner and Head Trainer at Formula CrossFit in the heart of Peachtree Corners, GA.  I have been married to my beautiful wife, Heather, for 8 years and we have our 4th child on the way!  My interest in fitness and nutrition began with the birth of my first son and the realization that if I didn’t change, I wouldn’t see him graduate college.  Years of intense research and practice later, my life’s work consists of helping others learn their body and the science and mechanics behind getting in the best shape possible.  If it's time for you to make a change, sign up for a Free Class and see what's possible!