Organic farming is a commitment to the environment. Organic vegetables and fruits are grown without use of chemical or synthetic ingredients.  Producers who supply “Le Panier de Piu” certify they grow vegetables and fruits without chemical fertilizers in the soil or pesticides on the produce.

Organic farmers respect Nature, and follow the cycle of seasons.  They use only natural fertilizers to grow fruit and vegetables, to preserve the natural richness of the soil.  When you choose Panier de Piu’s organic vegetables set and products, you encourage a production model that is friendly to the environment and the Earth.

Authentic and fresh produce – without preservatives or additives – are essential for good balance and health.  They are also easy to prepare (cooked or raw), and delicious.  Be good to yourself. 

Other issues are below: 

13. Your question 

Questions and suggestions we have received

Piu’s answer:

1  Organic products are more expensive than equivalent mass-produced foods.

True enough.  Still, we’ve done our best to price the organic vegetables sets in a range calculated to make them accessible to a variety of our customers: families, singles, and groups of friends who order together.

Organic products cost more because the production method is more intensive, demanding a lot of time and attention.  They are produced in smaller quantities than by conventional farming or agro-business where there is volume distribution and economy of scale.  Please keep in mind that our basket price includes the delivery cost.

Another issue is Fair Trade.  Buying organic products directly from farmers at a price that is neither too low nor too high is an important way to ensure quality of life for them (and often their families).  They are committed to using only natural methods to produce nutritional, healthy vegetables and fruits, and provide you with the best, fresh ingredients for your meals. 

 

2 Organic vegetables look horrible.

Nature works in mysterious ways.  Let’s get back to the roots!  Is appearance more important than the nutritional content of food?  The vegetables and fruits you receive from Panier de Piu are allowed to ripen naturally, picked fresh the day before delivery.  Their leaves are simply washed with water;  but root vegetables – potatoes, carrots, turnips, etc. – are at their freshest if they are washed before cooking.  We don’t believe in enhancing their appearance, and prohibit artificial preservatives.

3 Organic products are not tasty.

We personally try all products before deciding to put them in your basket.  Le Panier de Piu selected and met all the producers, and have pictures to show for it.  If they don’t meet the taste test, they are rejected.

If you do not like certain fruits or vegetables, let us also know, and we will do our best to offer you a set that makes you happy

4 There is not enough choice of organic produce.

Panier de Piu is committed to respecting the seasonal rhythm of nature.  All our vegetables and fruits are locally grown without artificial agricultural processes (heated vinyl houses, etc.).

In winter, for example, there is less variety of naturally grown vegetables – certainly no tomatoes or watermelon.  Carrots and spinach will add color to your plates and soups!

5 Fruits and vegetables I buy in the supermarket are half the cost.

We are not purists, and do not advocate a 100% organic lifestyle at any cost.  One organic gesture daily may be a drop in the ocean.  Yet it is a personal way of taking some responsibility for the planet and its sustainability.  In a small, but real way, it contributes to preservation of the environment that we leave behind for future generations of humankind, and of animals too.  Piu’s basket contains the freshest organic vegetables – a treat to the palate and good for your health.

6 I can buy organic fruit and vegetables in Natural Foods stores.  Piu’s regular delivery system is too restrictive.

You won’t find organic products in most supermarkets, that’s for sure.  Natural foods specialty shops are an alternative, if there is one close-by.  Otherwise, you can count on Panier de Piu’s convenient delivery to your home, with reassurance that all our products are natural and fresh.  

7 Anyways, I don’t like cooking.

Then what are you doing on this website?
Joking aside, in our organic vegetables set we add explanations (nutritional benefits and storage information) and delicious recipes that help you spend less time at the supermarket and more time in the kitchen.  Good ingredients are a key to tasty food.  Your hidden culinary talents will be come as a surprise… to yourself, as well as to your loved ones and friends.  

 

8 I’m always on the go.  I cannot use a fresh vegetables set every week.

Our system relies on commitment by consumers of regular orders to our organic farmers.  To fit the lifestyle of our clients, we can occasionally replace the selection of fresh vegetables and fruits with organic preserves and dry goods: pasta, biscuits, cereals, dried fruits, jams.  All we ask is that you give us at least 2 weeks advance warning.

 

9 People who eat organic foods – vegetarians, vegans, macrobiotics and the lot – are unreal, mouthing mantras about Mother Nature.  It looks suspiciously like a religious sect to me.

Le Panier de Piu’s creator lives in Tokyo.  She likes eating meat and fish (not just vegetables), and does not plan to move to the country.  She laughs at “Sex and the City” yet is deeply moved when reading “24 hours in the Life of a Woman” by Stefan Zweig.  She likes attending art exhibitions, especially those recommended by Tokyo Art Beat!

Very serious, especially about “little things,” and likes to go out, though not necessarily in organized groups.  Enjoys organic products, but hates listening to eco-bio-friendly fanatics with simplistic solutions to complex problems, going on and on about horrific food and beverage scandals.  Do you think such a person would start a vegetarian cult or become a bio guru?

10 The fact is, I don't really care about the environment.

Even if you do not care about others, you should take care of yourself –  and what you eat.  Tonkatsu, hamburgers and spaghetti, a chocolate bar a day... a lifestyle like that has its limitations, don’t you think?

11 Why is there no choice in what I can order in my Basket?

All our vegetables and fruits are seasonal, grown without chemicals or artificial processes.  Basically it is Nature that decides for us what we offer.  If you do not like certain fruits or vegetables, let us know.  We will try to offer you a set that is more personalised.

12 How do I pay?

Payment of your basket or your subscription is via bank transfer.

Is bank transfer the only possibility?

For now, this method is the simplest and most economical.

We are studying other payment methods such as credit card or postal transfer, and are at your disposal for any questions. 

 

13 Other Questions

If you have any other questions, feel free to write Delphine