Grocer Gunst supports only local farmers that follow biodynamic practices, which means that all of the farms are small and grow food seasonally, without the use of any pesticides or other chemicals. These partner farms produce minimal negative impact on the environment, and in most cases actually increase the health and vitality of the land which they inhabit.

Because these farms do not artificially change the growing conditions for their crops, they can only grow produce that will grow in season in BC. For Grocer Gunst customers, this means that the variety of produce in their boxes changes week to week and month to month, as different fruits and vegetables enter and exit their respective harvest seasons.

Many of us are unaccustomed to eating seasonally, having grown up with supermarkets fully stocked with produce from all corners of the globe, irrespective of the weather or the time of the year, and making the choice to eat locally and seasonally may seem like a sacrifice at first. But, with it comes a greater sense of connection to the environment in which one lives and a more colorful pantry, as each season brings with it new tastes, aromas, and textures.

I wish to support the efforts of my partner farms as much as possible, so in that spirit I stock my subscribers' boxes with a variety of everthing the farmers are harvesting that particular week of delivery. I do not give subscribers much choice regarding the contents of their boxes because the boxes function much like a CSA: by supporting Grocer Gunst, subscribers are supporting the partner farms, and thus share in everything that the farmers are producing.

Below are some samples of what Grocer Gunst subscribers found in a Medium Mixed Produce Basket ($29-$32) during various points of the 2009 harvest season from Biota Farm, Forstbauer Farm, Helmer's Organic, and Harvey's Orchards. This season began with relatively cold temperatures, which meant that many crops were not ready to be harvested until later in the season than usual.

May 25, 2009

2 lb asparagus

2 lb rhubarb

1 lb goosefoot

1 lb frozen blueberries

June 22, 2009

2 lb blueberries

0.5 lb mixed salad greens

2 lb rhubarb

1 lb goosefoot

1.5 lb young potato

0.75 lb strawberries

July 27, 2009

1.5 lb apricots

1 salad bouquet

1 head garlic

1 lb green beans

1 lb zucchini

2 lb potatoes

0.5 lb raspberries

0.5 lb blueberries

1 bunch kale

August 24, 2009

1 lb red anjou pears

1 lb heirloom tomatoes

1 lb blueberries

1 lb cucumber

1 lb green beans

1 acorn squash

2 ears corn

1 bunch radishes

September 21, 2009

1 bunch carrots

1 bunch kale

4 ears corn

1.5 lb winter squash

2 lbs heirloom tomatoes

1.5 lbs pears

1.5 lbs apples

1.5 lbs potatoes

October 19, 2009

2 bunches carrots

1 bunch kale

4 lbs winter squash

2 lbs asian pears

2 lbs red anjou pears

2 lbs potatoes

2 bunches beets