Sourcing Standards
In today's swirl of information, how can a thoughtful consumer determine the impact of their food purchasing decisions? Life's too busy to spend your time weighing endless food options. At Fresh Harvest, we've doubled down on the idea that going directly to the source is the only way to understand the true nature of our food. In an effort to deepen our customers' communion with their neighbors and the planet, our team spends countless hours getting to know the people behind Georgia's organic farms and food brands. Because, well…that's what we care about. We take the guesswork out of the sourcing process so you can spend more time doing what matters most to you. Keep reading to learn about the values and standards that frame our sourcing decisions.
Human Dignity
At Fresh Harvest, we recognize that food is not an end in itself. All that we do, and everything we aim for comes back to the people in our community. The men and women cultivating our food are more than business partners. We consider them friends, and we measure our success largely by how many dollars find their way back to their pockets. This extends to how our partners treat their employees. Partnering with suppliers who prioritize employee wellbeing over profits is an essential part of our sourcing rubric. Good food should provide meaningful work that leads to thriving communities. Plain and simple.
Sustainability
All of Fresh Harvest's produce is either Certified Organic or Certified Naturally Grown. We believe food grown organically is better for regenerating the soil, the ecosystem, and the body. When you receive your Fresh Harvest delivery, rest assured that not a single piece of produce was sprayed with synthetic chemicals or fertilizers. This standard extends to our meat and dairy, which must be raised in a natural way promoting animal welfare and humane treatment.
But sustainability extends beyond the sourcing. How we deliver is another important piece of the puzzle. Nearly all Fresh Harvest packaging is either reusable or compostable, and because of our exact-to-order system, weekly food waste is non-existant. Proximity between local producers and local consumers only further reduces Fresh Harvest's collective carbon footprint.
Geographical Proximity
Eighty percent of what we source comes from within 75 miles of Atlanta. With all of our customers living in the Metro Atlanta area, your produce is picked, packed, loaded on our trucks, and delivered to doorsteps at peak freshness. This proximity also allows us to truly get to know our suppliers and consumers, leading to deeper transparency and accountability across the board. Plus, it's pretty nice being your neighbor.
Transparency
"Where's my food coming from?" This question is music to our ears. For all the reasons mentioned above, we love talking about the sources of our food. We routinely evaluate our partners' standards to ensure they're aligned with our own high expectations of quality. We list sourcing information as clearly as possible on our web-shop, but our Customer Care Team would also love to engage if you have more questions. Want to learn more of the specifics behind our sourcing standards? Read on below.
Produce
All of our produce is either certified organic or grown on small-scale farms leading the way in regenerative practices. Our partnerships will always represent our commitment to the well-being of both people & planet.
Meat/Dairy/Eggs
We focus on transparent partnerships that emphasize humane animal welfare standards, low environmental impact, and fair labor practices. We reference GAP 4 to 5+ standards when evaluating offerings.
Seafood
We're committed to responsibly farmed or sustainably wild-caught products with 100% traceability. We use Monterey Bay Seafood Watch (Best Choice or Certified) & the Marine Stewardship Council as a guide.
Artisanal Goods
We prioritize supporting local businesses in Georgia. When it comes to ingredients, we like it short and sweet. We do not allow any artificial ingredients, additives, preservatives, or dyes.