Subscriber testimonials

A selection of subscriber comments that we have received in the office:

June 2010 – Rachel, Riverhills Subscriber

“We have been getting the Food Connect boxes for a couple of months now and are enjoying such great quality local produce. It has been a delight to eat food that looks a little irregular, contains an occasional healthy insect, and is bursting with flavour.

The cook in the family is having lots of fun experimenting with new vegetables – such as kale and silverbeet – to come up with new dishes for the family, which in turn we are finding scrumptious. When unpacking the box last week with the kids, they couldn’t resist popping a few of Russell and Janice’s cherry tomatoes into their mouths straight away. They were favourite snacks in lunch boxes all week.

Last week we tried some of the other products for the first time too and were delighted with the goodies:
- the Leavain bakery’s deliciously dense pane di casa – the likes of which we haven’t tasted since living in Italy. We had a meal of bruschetta with it and ate the whole loaf in one sitting – it was our children’s first experience of ‘real’ bruschetta.
- the kiwifruit from Roger Bailey were so yummy that the kids were asking for more with dripping chins. It was disappointing to realise we only tried them at the end of their season but look forward to when they’ll be back!

May 2010 – Misty, West End Subscriber

“The pick up was great.. very easy system! There was no pen when I went to collect the second box, so I could not sign for it… but everything fabulous! We have been pleasantly surprised at the amount of produce in the mini box and we have been using every item which is great.. we are experimenting with new recipes so we do not waste any and it feels wonderful eating fresh produce that is in season. My 7 year old step daughter takes great delight in looking at what ’surprises’ are in the boxes and we have lots of chats over dinner about where food comes from and the process it goes through to get on our kitchen table. We have a small vege patch in our suburban yard and the Food Connect concept compliment our general beliefs and philosophy towards life. A lot of my work colleagues and friends also share this belief and they have been very happy with purchasing your boxes as well. Many thanks, Misty”.

May 2010 – Jan, Birkdale Subscriber

“It has been on my mind all week to give feedback – we have LOVED the contents of our box! In particular the tomatoes were gorgeous – just like I used to grow myself on our property before we moved here to this ‘little’ garden here at Ormiston. The avocadoes were creamy and lovely – the lettuce crunchy and fresh – and I could go on. In all, fresh and good are my overall comments.
Oh yes, and the lemonade fruit were beautiful – I chopped one through some chocolate soy ice cream. Delicious.
We are eagerly awaiting what surprises are in store tomorrow – we will have about two onions left after I have made dinner tonight!
Kind regards, Jan”

April 2010 – Keith & Olivia, Cannon Hill Subscriber

“Dear Growers,
Well, well, this is a huge turnaround for me….being a 3 meat and 1 veg man and now enjoying some real food!! My wife can’t believe the change! And it’s all due to Food Connect and their farmers. We now have very little left at the end of the week and what there is the 4 girls (chooks) soon finish up.
Please pass on a “BIG THANK YOU” to the growers…very much appreciated in this household and also the staff at Food Connect, also our City Cousins, (Mel is ours)
Thanks again to all concerned,
Keith & Olivia”

December 2009 – Lisa, Beechmont Subscriber

“We are happy customers, thank you for sending such a wonderful fresh selection.
Cant wait for next week – a perfect amount for our family!”

September 2009 – Mary, Toowong Subscriber

“Hi Food Connect Team,

In the newsletter it says you welcome feedback so here goes, in no particular order…

All of the citrus has been delicious! I particularly enjoyed the mandarines and the lemonade fruit. I enjoy the regular fruit and veg and also enjoy the interesting things that sometimes appear in the boxes. I really liked the sweet, crunchy root vegetable that appeared a couple of times a month or so ago [the office reckons Yacon]. I hope to see them again in the future.

I really like the new farmer rating system and getting regular updates on the percentage of  fruit / veg in each tier. I also really like how Food Connect and we subscribers are helping “chemical” farmers convert. I appreciate that the conversion process is a real challenge for farmers espceially finding a way to sell their visually imperfect but not organic produce.

It is a pleasure to enjoy strawberries knowing that they are not sprayed with chemicals (at least not directly).

I like Wade’s updates in the farmletter explaining what is coming into or going out of season, why we are getting lots of some things and not much of others, etc. Also hearing about the farmers successes and difficulties. It is really good to know what is going on at the other end and to be able to support the farmers who work hard to provide us with such good food. You guys are doing a great job ”

June 2009 - Tricia Velthuizen, Samford Subscriber

“I’ve just collected my box (and opened it whilst I was putting it in the car because the kids & I can’t bear the suspense – the excitement on the drive to the collection point can be contained no longer!), and of course, I’ve come home to read the newsletter.

Loved the Bush Dance flyer and the concept! Regrettably, we won’t be able to attend – with 8 month old twins and 2 older ones, we’re not great at night events yet but fingers crossed you’ll do it again next year and my 6 year old son can at last fulfill his personal goal (I tell the truth) of boot scooting.

A big thank you to the farmers who work so hard to supply us with such marvellous produce!”

May 2009  – Meaghan South, Bardon Subscriber and Co-Founder of www.embracingmotherhood.com

“We received our first delivery of Food Connect last night, a little anxiously as I am very particular about the freshness and quality of the fruit and veg we have.

When I opened the box I was so excited with not only the quantity of fruit and veg (representing exceptional value) but also the obvious freshness and quality – I tried the mandarins immediately and they were delicious!!! I also LOVED the stories behind all the fruit and veg and where it comes from each week, it certainly makes for a personal experience and helps me feel connected to where my food is coming from.

I have been putting off ordering for quite a while and am so glad we finally did! Looking forward to many more surprise boxes of delicious fruit and veg! Thanks for putting together such a thoughtful, supportive and community-oriented concept. I hope it continues to flourish for you all!”

April 2009 – Peggy Johnstone, Brookfield Subscriber

“Why I am so grateful to Food Connect:

Coming from a pioneering farming family, I know the challenges farmers face. I have experienced the growth of chemical farming from little use to the present explosion; the sudden death of one of our local babies when I was in school; farms being repossessed following all sorts of disasters, few of which touch society in any meaningful way. As a registered nurse, witnessing the explosion of cancer and other equally serious illnesses, treated with equally invasive medicine, in a “modern, advanced” world. When we first started eating organic, a lot of what little our grass roots co-op could source came from people’s back yards, now we have real live FARMERS. Our farmers are the most courageous and hard working people in our society. Having been an organic eating vegetarian for over thirty years I thank our farmers for the wonderful health I have had, and still, enjoy.

With all my heart I want this gift for all of our siciety, especially our children. And Food Connect is THE major step in realising this dream! For the FIRST TIME EVER our farmers are getting the support and credit they so much deserve and need.

Why shopping Food Connect is great:

Both my daughter, to whom I gave a gift voucher for Christmas, and I have found a great release from the ties of shopping. We simply collect our boxes from our respective city/country cousins and “hey presto” the shopping is done! No parking battles, no shopping trolleys or wondering what to buy, and, very best of all, lots and lots of extra time. I don’t eat onions or garlic so I have great pleasure in giving these to my “pick up place” family as thanks. I wondered how not selecting my own food would work but it has proved wonderfully exciting and interesting, far better than I could have imagined. The plastic liners of my “mini box” are recycled as my garbage bags so I don’t feel guilty buying them due to being a “green bag shopper”.

You’re “countin’ kookaburras” if you don’t buy Food Connect!”