Golden Gate Organics Review
GOLDEN GATE ORGANICS
Boy how fast a week goes by, and before I knew it it was time for me to select my second produce box. I am researching Bay Area organic produce delivery services and providing details about my experience. Here’s a summary.
SELECTING MY SECOND PRODUCE BOX DELIVERY
Through my search, I came across Golden Gate Organics which seemed to have a high online ranking.
GETTING STARTED
The homepage of Golden Gate Organics.
PLACING THE ORDER
Step One: Enter my zip code.
Step Two: Choose the size of my produce box:
Regular Box $30 (2 people)
Small Family Box $40 (3-4 people)
Family Box $50 (4-5 people)
Single/Student/Senior Box $24 (1 person)
And a few types of boxes:
Sample boxes.
Fruits & Veggies
Only Fruit
Only Veggies
Frequency:
Weekly
Every Other Week
For this Golden Gate Organics review, I chose the small family box of fruits & veggies for $40.
Upon check out, I learned a bit about their Co-op program: save 10% on every delivery by creating a neighborhood or local pick up at one designated locale.
CUSTOMIZATION
Not long after I placed my order I received an email from Golden Gate Organics providing me with information about the week’s produce. I also learned that I could make changes to my CSA order up until midnight the day before delivery. I had the option of adding on a range of other products, from dairy products to tea.
I received a second email stocked with information geared towards helping me navigate my Golden Gate Organics online account. The major topics covered were:
Customize the items you "Like" and "Don't Like" under “Favorite Produce”
Add or skip deliveries up to three months in advance within "Your Schedule"
Change delivery instructions or let us know you are going to leave a cooler for us to pick up under "Account Info"
Update your Billing Info or Change Your Password
Cancel your Account or “Stop Deliveries” at anytime in "Account Info”
DELIVERY
I was told via email that my box of produce would be delivered between 7am and 6pm. If I left home, I should leave a cooler outside so the produce could remain chilled.
UNBOXING
I grabbed a pair of scissors and sliced through the center of the box. Here is a list of what I received:
The contents of the box.
Gold Nugget Mandarins
Red Onions
Kiwis
Red Cabbage
Gold Potatoes
Cara Cara Oranges
Green Onions
Hass Avocados
Green Kale
Romaine Lettuce
The rich colors of a head of red cabbage have always entranced me - it contains a pigment called anthocyanin, which indicates the acidity of the soil in which the cabbage has been grown. A red hue means the soil was more acidic, purple if the soil had a neutral pH, and yellow/green if it was alkaline.
I had to clear some extra space in my fridge to make room for this delivery.
PREPARING THE FOOD
Golden Gate Organics produce in my fridge.
I immediately organized my oranges and kiwis in a bowl and set them towards one corner of my refrigerator shelf. I tucked the onions and avocados in one of the bottom drawers of my fridge. I usually leave my avocados on the counter to fully ripen however I knew I was not going to eat these three for a few more days so I decided to keep them chilled.
Ever since I moved to California, I have seen oranges a plenty: at the stores, on the side of the road, you name it. Since I received two types of oranges in my produce box, I decided to experiment with a side-by-side comparison. This turned out to be more difficult than expected when I attempted to put my tastes in to words, so I enlisted a second set of taste buds to help me nail them down. Here are some of my findings on the Gold Nugget Mandarins and the Cara Cara Oranges:
The Cara Cara Orange was a lighter, milder citrus between the two. It was a little tart.
The Golden Nugget Mandarin had a bolder and richer flavor. It was almost as if it were heavier in taste - as far as oranges are concerned.
Half of the large head of romaine lettuce became a simple salad dressed with extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. The remaining leaves made the most perfect boat-shaped holders for a thin spread of hummus, sprinkled with some sliced red onion. These served as great appetizers throughout the week.
MY MEALS
Here are a few meals I prepared using the different produce I received for my Golden Gates Organics review.
Meal #1: Mediterranean Kale Bowl with Red Onions, Sliced Figs, & Raw Sesame Seeds
Whenever possible I like to massage my kale before consuming it. Being a fibrous vegetable it is sometimes harsh on my digestive system. So after a quick wash, I tore the leaves into bite-sized pieces, drizzled them with a tbsp of extra virgin olive oil and the juice from half a lemon, and used my hands to squeeze the leaves for about three minutes. This completely changes the texture of the kale from fibrous to silky and soft. I sliced some red onion and dried figs, added a sprinkle of raw sesame seeds, salt and pepper on top, and I was ready to rock.
Meal #2: Paprika Hasselback Potatoes with Roasted Green Onions
When I first saw 8 Golden Potatoes included in my Golden Gate Organics review box, I knew I had to slice at least a few of them up Hasselback style. I have been enjoying this method as of late. Post roast, the skins become nice and crispy and the insides stay soft. I chose to accessorize these potatoes with green onions that I roasted in the oven as well. I enjoy the sweet flavor that the roasting brings out of green onions. The two paired nicely together and resulted in an easy, simple, and satisfying lunch.
Meal #3: Avocado Mousse
I enjoy a shift in flavor profile especially after dinner, so I am always thinking about desserts I can make that are free from refined sugars. Avocado Mousse had been on my mind so I figured this would be a great time to create it using some of the avocados I just received. I grabbed two of the avocados, peeled and blended them up with 1/2 cup raw cacao powder and 1/4 cup of unsweetened almond milk. I also added 2 tbsps of raw honey to cut through the bitterness of the cacao. Granted, I have not eaten a mousse in a while, but I feel pretty good about the consistency of this one. My dessert was filled with healthy fats that my body needs. Plus, it was dairy-free!
RECAP
All in all my Golden Gate Organics review was a seamless experience from placing the order to receiving my box. I was satisfied with the email communication and information provided by the company. The customization and cancellation processes were easy to complete. All of my produce arrived fresh, and the box was bountiful. There was a solid mix of vegetables and fruit. I therefore was able to create multiple meals using the produce, and it lasted me just about a full week.
