Thinking INSIDE the box … The Green PolkaDot Box, that is!
Ahhh … the joys of the holidays! Fellowship, good will toward men, festive dining, pretty packages, gaily lit trees, heated family conversation at the dinner table about government mandated food labeling … errrrrrrrr – record scratch – ruh row – ! – how did we get here? One minute glasses are clinking and toasts are flowing, and the next we’re in the middle of a passionate debate regarding the pros and – according to my sibling, cons – of the recent CA prop 37 (labeling GM foods mandate). Good points were made by both sides – I must say – and while it’s a good exercise to hear and respond to the opposition’s viewpoint, I am most happy about one valid point agreed upon by all – that, regardless of GM food labeling mandates passing or not, WE the people get to continue “voting” by purchasing those foods that are FREE of GM products. Now, add to the mix another family member – my college freshman niece (Go ‘SC!) – who looks to her food blogger auntie for help with her newly acquired gluten-free diet. It was with these varied thoughts, needs and requests bouncing around in my brain that I stumbled upon The Green PolkaDot Box.
This family-owned company is on a mission to: 1) say buh-bye to “organic deserts” – those parts of the US of A where folks don’t have easy – or any! – access to “clean”, organic foods, 2) make clean, organic food available to all and 3) educate the public about our food supply via a “grass roots approach” to share about the “links between diet and disease, motivating them to seek out healthier, clean, organic alternatives”. And just when I don’t think it can get much better, I read on to learn that they have done the homework for us, and only carry the “highest quality, safe, clean, non-GMO and, whenever possible, organic” foods. There is LOADS of information on their site – they have an extensive FAQs section – and if that doesn’t cover all your inquiries, you may set up a live chat, e-mail or call – clearly, they want to hear from you! I also like that there is a “Request a Product” tab – beautiful!
Now, here’s what I simply love the most about this company’s website - and Natalie, this one’s for you – !! – when you go to the “Dietary Needs” tab, you find options you may highlight (such as: BPA Free, No Soy, Recycled Packaging, Certified Free Trade, Sprouted, Raw/Living Food, + 23 others!) thus customizing and refining your search of items they carry. Soooooooo, if I am a conscientious college newbie (hypothetically speaking, of course), hoping to battle migraines naturally, I might highlight “gluten free” and “verified non-GMO” (because your aunt nudged you in that direction) and then hit “search”. Voilà – you now have 150 items to peruse and, perhaps, purchase (isn’t alliteration fun??).
Now, there is some membership dealio that is part and parcel of this company – there is a video that explains it – but, admittedly, Kev and I began tuning that out as the rewards/membership structure started to make our post-holiday brains droop. We now understand why one of the FAQs is “Are you a MLM Company?” (and, FYI, the answer is “no” – they are NOT a Multi-Level Marketing company). Phew!
We Herbies do not have first-hand experience (yet!) with this company, but at first blush, it is very compelling. And we certainly resonate – strongly – with their goals. It does seem to be a reasonable approach to obtaining healthful and non-GM foods; and the proverbial icing on the cake is the purported savings as compared to shopping at traditional brick-and-mortar stores. What’s not to like about that? Are you or someone you know a Green PolkaDot Box member? We are interested in hearing about your experiences … do tell! Until then – happy and healthful eating – no better way to ring in the new year! Cheers!
Please note: No products or reimbursement were received for this product review; sentiments expressed are the author’s own. Herby the LOVE Blog is not professionally or financially affiliated with the Green Polka Dot Box.
Hi there!
I read your post here and I felt compelled to comment on it. I can totally relate to your holiday table chatter hahaha….similar occurrences often happen to me as well!
I was actually one of the first members to join the Green Polkadox Box (GPDB). And after ordering over a dozen boxes of their natural, organic, and non-GMO goodies, I can safely say that they are my favorite place to buy “healthy” food from. Like you said: they do the hard work for us and only choose to add products to their inventory that are honestly free of GMOs and other questionable additives. Plus, they have this awesome low-price guarantee that assures you’re paying bottom dollar for all the goods you buy through them….if you find it cheaper anywhere else, send them a picture of the deal and they’ll reimburse the difference to your account. I’ve only come across two occasions where I found a better deal on something I bought from GPDB somewhere else, but it’s great to know I getting the best deal on something all the time!
I wanted to address some of your concerns….
About the membership fees: The GPDB business was set up as a mix between an Amazon.com and a Costco/Sam’s club. Selling groceries online like Amazon does reduces costs to consumers since they can avoid many of the markups that supermarkets have to add to make up for all their operating costs. And they are like Costco and Sam’s Club in the sense that they are able to offer such steep discounts (up to 60% off) on goods since they buy their inventory in bulk (only we don’t HAVE to buy in bulk from GPDB to benefit from all the savings!) People don’t think twice about paying the $99 a year to be a member of Costco because they know they’ll make that back after a trips to the store. The same rings true for GPDB….except membership is cheaper, you don’t need to drive to/from a store, and you can shop from the convenience of your own home and have access to food that you know isn’t adding harmful additives or GMOs to your body.
*About the whole rewards structure: Rest assure….they are an extremely ethical company! Allowing members to purchase the rewards membership was great because it helps encourage people to spread the work about the company. You don’t see them blasting ads on the TV and in magazines because their giving this money back to their members in exchange for their help! After all, nothing is more powerful that a recommendation from a happy customer, so why not offer members an extra incentive to spread the word?
I personally am already a LIFETIME member of GPDB because I invested a good deal of money into helping the company grow in the beginning. I recognized the greatness in their idea and I wanted to support and help them grow. I encourage you to give them a try! In fact, I am allowed to give away a few free rewards memberships a year….I’d be happy to give one to you if you think you’d make good use of it!
Just let me know!
Feel free to read more about my experience with GPDB at my website http://www.makeorganicaffordable.com I don’t update it as much as I’d like to anymore, but it still has some great info and pictures on it!
Take care,
Jason
Dear Jason,
THANK YOU for taking the time to write such a thoughtful and informative comment – excellent information, and exactly what we were hoping to find! And, apologies for the nutty, smashed font in our comments section – arggghh! – we need to fix that – we want it to be EASY for folks to read such wonderful thoughts!
Also – your site is terrific in that it focuses on AFFORDABLE organics – yes, it is one of THE top 3 questions we get regarding our organic, whole-foods, plant-based diet … people fret over “going organic” because they simply believe it’s too expensive. You and the GPDB are serving a VERY important need and it is just exciting! It makes me smile to see the organic LOVE is being shared coast-to-coast! Wahoo! The wave just keeps building – thanks to folks like yourself! :0) Please keep up the good work and let’s see what 2013 brings, eh?
We would most certainly like to try a free rewards membership – what a generous and gracious offer – that way we too can speak to the ease, savings and selection we anticipate and share our first-hand experiences with GPDB via this blog. We frequent our local, organic, whole-foods grocer up to 3 times a week, and the average bill is $150 each visit. We gladly pay it, because we so firmly believe in the adage of “food is medicine” but we sure wouldn’t mind saving some $$$! I have no doubt that money concerns are more present than ever right now, due to the recent tax hikes and incessant conversations regarding the “fiscal cliff” and all that is yet to come. (Sigh)
Jason – thank you again for reaching out – we will also be sure to “like” your site on our Herby FaceBook page too, so our organic-promoting community may grow and share!
Much happiness and health,
The Herbies (Andi, Kevin, Max and Flower)
PS – Max and Flower (our 4-leggeds) have a post coming out soon about delicious vegan dog chow! Stay tuned!
I can’t wait to hear about how Herby likes the GPDB! I might have to become a member myself.
Yeah – we cannot wait … very much looking forward to it! Will indeed share our experiences!