Want to try Green B.E.A.N Delivery?

I recently had the opportunity to try out the Green B.E.A.N. Delivery Service, a food distribution company providing healthy, organic and sustainably-grown local foods to the community at affordable prices. It works like this: users sign up with a credit card and go the website to create an online standing order, which consists of the produce bin of your choice (minimum charge $35), and delivery frequency, such as weekly or biweekly. Each produce bin is 100 percent customizable, and you can add local dairy, meats, bread and other grocery products on top of your minimum produce order. Members can choose from over 400 products, which are guaranteed all-natural and free of additives and preservatives.

Would you like to try it too? Read on for a special promo code for readers of Veggie Option!

Customizing my produce bin was fun; there are so many interesting fruits and vegetables to choose from that it is easy to get carried away. The list is a drop-down menu that is mix & match to a price point. I tried to choose as many seasonal items as I could, even ones that I usually shy away from in the grocery store (kale, I am looking at you).

My bin arrived on the front porch Friday afternoon - Northern Kentucky's designated delivery day. The produce is well-packed inside an insulated liner that includes a large, reusable ice pack.

Green B.E.A.N. produce bin
There was one hiccup with my order: as I crossed off each item on the invoice, I discovered that I was shorted two apples but didn't know which ones were missing because the apples I received weren't marked or labeled. Was I missing two organic Pinatas, or two organic Pink Ladys? I contacted the company, but since they were already closed for the weekend this issue hasn't yet been resolved.

Always double-check your invoice
To gauge the value of the service, I visited my local Kroger (a Kroger Marketplace at Newport Pavilion) and tallied up the prices on their organic produce and compared it to that of my Green B.E.A.N produce bin. Kroger didn't carry either of the organic apples I'd chosen from Green B.E.A.N., so I used their standard organic apple price, which is $1.69 per pound. The Kroger order came to $29.47 compared to Green B.E.A.N's $35. I think $5.53 is a fair price to pay for the convenience of having the order delivered directly to my doorstep, so in that respect Green B.E.A.N. Delivery is good value for money - especially if you don't live close to a grocery that carries a lot of quality, organic produce.

Veggies are well-packed in the insulated cooler

The haul: Russet potatoes, red potatoes, carrots, yellow onions, cabbage, cauliflower, lime, Cara Cara orange, apples, Concorde pears, Butternut squash, Romaine heart lettuce and one bunch red kale.
Interested in giving Green B.E.A.N a try? Readers of Veggie Option can use promo code VOnkAB for 50 percent off their first order (this does not apply to any grocery items added to the first order). Also, the promo code expires on January 22, 2012 and is for new members and reactivations only. For more information or to sign up, visit www.greenbeandelivery.com.