WOLF – Whistler Organic Local Food
(778) 805-4247
[email protected]
Organization Structure & Purpose
WOLF is a locally run non-profit organization based on a member cooperative model. We make affordable quality organic and locally-grown food available to Whistler and Pemberton residents, and encourage our members to grow their own organic produce and/or make their own food products
to contribute and share with other WOLF members. We distribute food through a bi-weekly organic produce box, and bulk organic food ordering system. How to Participate
To join WOLF, you need only to provide your name, telephone number, email, and to prepay for at least two Organic Produce Boxes ($50 each) plus a $10 packaging deposit (minimum $110). The boxes cost $50 each and contain at least that amount worth of produce and often more. Payments (cash only*) can be dropped off at Solfeggio`s (for Pemberton pickup) and Naked Sprout (for Whistler pickup) and should be made at least one week in advance to allow us sufficient time to plan and assemble the Organic Produce Boxes. If payment is made less than a week in advance, we cannot guarantee that we will have produce available for you.
*we are working on accepting card payments in the near future. Organic Produce Boxes are available for pickup every second Wednesday from 3pm - 5pm at Solfeggio`s and Naked Sprout starting April 23, 2014 if the miminum 20 members required to begin is reached. (then May 7, etc.) Bulk organic food ordering will be available through catalogues at the pickup locations from 3pm – 5pm one Wednesday per month. Bulk orders will be delivered two weeks later. The first bulk organic food ordering day will be at a later date after the WOLF membership has grown to a sufficient size. Organic Produce Box System
Every two weeks, WOLF volunteers gather fresh produce from local farmers, distributors, and WOLF member growers. The produce boxes are assembled in Pemberton every second Wednesday morning, and made available for pickup Wednesday afternoons to WOLF Members at Solfeggio's in Pemberton and Naked Sprout in Whistler. WOLF Members pay $100 for their Organic Produce Boxes every four weeks to maintain their membership and continue to receive produce every two weeks. Members are encouraged to grow their own organic produce and contribute it to the WOLF boxes. Members contributing produce receive credit which can be used for future membership fees or within the Community Exchange System for other goods or services. For more information on this please contact WOLF for details. Bulk Organic Food Ordering
Details will be available later as the membership grows. FAQs
What comes in the produce box? A mix of fruit and vegetables, with a focus on local and seasonal produce. A small portion of the produce will be imported, especially during the winter season. WOLF makes decisions on what produce will be included taking into consideration things such as member preferences, value, local availability, etc. Is the produce box good value for my money? Depending on what produce you are used to buying, you will find that the WOLF produce box offers somewhat to substantially more than if you spent the same amount on organic produce at the grocery store or farmer's market. As a bulk buyer, we are able to access near-wholesale pricing on most produce and sometimes even better! What is the packaging deposit used for? The $10 packing deposit is used to purchase the packaging used for the Organic Produce Boxes. What if I can't pick up my produce box? If you are unable to pick up your produce box, we encourage you to make your own arrangements – ask another member or friend to pick it up for you, or make a trade with someone. WOLF is unable to offer refunds for members that are unable to pick up their produce boxes. You can connect with other members on the WOLF page. We would like to emphasise that WOLF is a cooperative not a business or service and as such members are responsible for the pick up of their share (oganic box). What if I forgot /missed picking up my produce box? Produce boxes that are not picked up will be donated to the food bank or someone else in need. What if I don't like some of the produce that comes in my box? If you receive produce in your box that you don't like, try exchanging it or trading it with other members or friends. You can connect with other members on the WOLF page. *WOLF is looking at the possibility of preserving produce for use during the winter/non-growing months, thereby keeping the supply as local as possible. This may provide the possibility that items not liked could be donated back to WOLF for preservation for future use. We will keep you posted on this option on the FB page in due course. Do the WOLF volunteers receive free produce or other compensation? WOLF volunteers are not paid, but generally will get some produce each week. WOLF gets a bit more produce each week than necessary so there is some extra for the volunteers that make this possible.
