The Hamilton Good Food Box                  

The Good Food Box is a non-profit fresh fruit and vegetable distribution program.  It helps make healthy fresh food affordable and accessible to everyone.  For only $15 you receive a box of fresh quality produce worth $25 or more. We buy food at wholesale prices, with a preference for purchasing from Hamilton and Ontario farmers when we can.

The Hamilton Good Food Box Network delivers directly to various locations all over Hamilton. We understand that with busy schedules convenience is key so we’ve set up hubs across the city. Pick ups take place the third and fourth Wednesdays of every month. Order at least one week before your pick-up day to avoid disappointment!  Whenever you are ready to order please contact and prepay for your box at the site where you want to pick it up, using our Google Map and site info (link below).

Good Food Boxes and Local Food

Hamilton Eat Local has a history of working hard to promote the purchase and consumption of locally grown food. We recognize the multiple ways in which a more localized food system creates environmental benefits: reduced food miles and greenhouse gas emissions, support for local agriculture, and fresher, better tasting food for those who choose to "buy local". Research proves that when people have diets focused on fresh, healthy, local food there are health benefits, too. We have also recognized the importance of ensuring that a local food system is one that makes this food available to all.  Local food sometimes comes with a higher price tag, which is impossible to avoid within our current food system. This is where the Good Food Box can make a difference.

Read about volunteering opportunities below.

What's in a box?

Boxes contain a large variety of fruits and vegetables that changes each month. Selections depend on what's in season and reasonably priced, making the produce as fresh and as affordable as possible.  Note: Good Food Boxes cannot be customized.

AN EXCITING NEW OPTION!! 

Some of you have been asking about a smaller, lighter, more basic and lower-priced Good Food Box... you'll be delighted to know that as of JANUARY 2013 you will be able to order our brand new "GOOD-2-GO" Food Box.

It's got everything you like about the original but less: it contains 6-8 items for $10.  In January the "Good-2-Go" Food Box contained: iceberg salad mix, english cucumber, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, apples, oranges and bananas!!

This is a great selection for folks who can't cook or don't like to cook or those who are just too busy -- but still want to include more fresh fruits and vegetables in their diet.  It's a great introduction to better eating.

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IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT 

THE NEW PILOT PROGRAM FOR SINGLE PEOPLE IN RECEIPT OF ONTARIO WORKS (OW) BENEFITS 

PLEASE CONTACT YOUR CASE MANAGER!

STAFF AT ENVIRONMENT HAMILTON ARE NOT ABLE TO ASSIST YOU

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Find a Pick-up Site near you!

View our Good Food Box COMMUNITY PICKUP SITES Google Map with contact information, delivery days and pick-up times for each location.  Just click on the link above.

Volunteering for The Good Food Box: "JOIN THE PACK!"

The Good Food Box depends on volunteers in order to maintain affordability and sustainability. We  always offer refreshments and laughs while you contribute to building better communities through healthy food.  It's also a load of fun!

If your interested in becoming a member of our packing crew contact goodfoodbox@environmenthamilton.org for more information and to join the volunteer email list to get a monthly reminder.

Site Coordinators

We want the Good Food Box Network to expand across the city so we’re always looking for more pick-up site coordinators. If you are interested in becoming a site coordinator look through the "Pick-up Site Coordinator INFORMATION PACKAGE" below. Also listed are some other resources you may find helpful in becoming a new Community Pick-up Site.  Click on the links below to obtain the documents.

• Good Food Box brochure (detailed -- a good starting point for understanding and sharing information about our program)
• Pick-up Site Coordinator INFORMATION PACKAGE (updated November 9, 2012 - obtain the order form link from Karen, your Good Food Box project manager, when you register your site)
• Sample Customer Master List (for Site Coordinators)
• Customizable Pick-up Reminder Cards (for Participants, once they have paid for their box -- optional but recommended)
• Basic CUSTOMIZABLE Handout/Information Poster (MSWord)

The Hamilton Good Food Box Network is supported by the Government of Ontario