Sustainability

We're a small family business, not a big operation with a sustainability department. So this page sticks to what we actually do today, and it's honest about what we're still working out.

Fruit that gets eaten

The most wasteful gift basket is one where the fruit ends up in the trash. That's why Rob buys top-grade fruit. In his experience, lower-grade fruit doesn't last and doesn't taste the way it should.

Every basket is looked over by hand before it's sealed, so a bruised piece is caught at our bench rather than on someone's kitchen table.

Buying for the season

We build baskets around what's in season: citrus in winter, apples in fall, soft fruit in spring and summer. Our fruit comes through Chicago's South Water Market, bought by buyers who know exactly what Rob wants.

(Much of our fruit is grown elsewhere, such as tree-ripe summer fruit from California and peaches from Georgia, so we don't claim it's "local." What's local is the people choosing it.)

Planned so fruit doesn't sit

We ship on weekdays and plan each basket's ship day so it doesn't sit in a truck over a weekend. Every basket is sent to arrive within 1 to 3 days, so fruit doesn't sit waiting.

During hot weather, we'll contact you before your basket ships.

Our packaging — what we can say today

Each basket is shrink-wrapped and finished with a bow, then boxed for the trip.

Local partners

We like working with other local family businesses, and we're working on partnerships now. More to come.

Fruit that doesn't make the cut

A piece of fruit with a small blemish or a bruise won't go into a basket, but it is still perfectly good to eat. Rather than throw it away, we offer that fruit to local food pantries and shelters.

Have an idea for how we could do better? Send Rob a note.