Though this box is less voluminous, it is made up for in quality. Besides top notch honeycrisp apples, it includes pomegranates (a great addition to a lettuce salad, see recipe below), Biodynamic persimmons, and organic Medjool dates. This quantity of Medjool dates is the high ticket item in the box. Further, the local Luscious pears are one of my favorites and are exquisite upon reaching ripeness.

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Ethylene Table

(Usually fruits produce ethylene, whereas vegetables are sensitive to it)

EP:Ethylene Producer

ES: Ethylene Sensitive

EN: Ethylene Neutral

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Autumn Royal Black Seedless Grapes (EN) These grapes are from Wolf Pack in California. Wolf Pack has been certified for 20 years now. Before storing, remove any spoiled grapes with broken or browning skins from the bunch and keep refrigerated. These grapes will store for up to 7 days in cold storage; it is best to place them in the coldest part of the refrigerator.

Honeycrisp Apples (EP) These apples are grown by Gilbert Orchards in Yakima, WA. Developed by the University of Minnesota, Honeycrisp has bright red and pale green outer skin and a cream-colored, crisp yet juicy inner flesh. With a sweet yet slightly tart flavor, this variety of apple is great for salads, baking, cooking or eating as a snack. The Honeycrisp Apple was created to grow well in cooler northern climates. It is a variety that stores well. It is best to keep apples as cold as possible, so store them in the back of your refrigerator. Apples can last up to six weeks in the refrigerator. Try it in place of the Red Delicious apple in this recipe for Spicy Sesame Noodle Salad with Apple and Carrot.

Fuyu Persimmons (ES) are grown biodynamically at Beck Grove in CA. Read a message from Helene Beck here. Fuyus are squatter and rounder than the Hachiya persimmons. The color is a yellow-orange and not as brilliant as the Hachiya. It almost looks like a mini pumpkin or perhaps a slightly flattened tomato, but unlike the Hachiya, the Fuyu can be consumed immediately. It is crisp, lightly sweet and crunchy, like a Fuji apple. Fuyus will stay firm for two or three weeks at room temperature. Eventually, after about three weeks, they will soften somewhat like the Hachiya. At this stage, some people feel the Fuyu's sweetness reaches its peak. If you are wondering why you don't see more Fuyus in your local markets, it's because they are primarily funneled into ethnic markets where the demand is high. For more info on persimmons.

Luscious Pears (Locally grown; EP) are grown by Future Fruit Farm in Ridgeway, WI, located on the beautiful ridges above the Wisconsin River Valley. For over twenty-six years, Future Fruit Farm Family has been perfecting certified organic fruit growing techniques. The Luscious Pear is a cross-parentage pear that is very sweet and aromatic with a hint of butterscotch and honey. Leave them out at room temperature and they will ripen in a few days to a week, depending on the maturity when delivered. If you choose to hold off the ripening process, the fruit should be refrigerated and will hold three to four weeks there until ready to ripen. Once ripe, a pear will not last much more than a couple of days, even in the refrigerator.

Medjool Dates (EN) are grown at the Rucker Homestead in Coachella, CA (in the Mojave desert). Medjool was originally imported from Morocco but is now grown in the United States. In fact, because of the batud disease in Morocco, U.S. growers have been sending Medjool trees to Morocco. The Medjool has become a more important variety in California in recent years and is the largest variety grown. It is very soft with a rich, sweet flavor. Dates at full maturity store remarkably well compared to other fruits, owing to their low water content. If packaged in an airtight container, fresh dates will last from one to eight months without refrigeration, three to twelve months if refrigerated, and up to several years if frozen. Store dates in the back of your refrigerator where temperatures are usually around 30°F to 40°F. It is also important to store dates away from strong smelling foods because they absorb odors easily. Carrots with Dates and Lemon.

Pomegranates (EN) are grown by John France near Porterville, CA. Pomegranates have a long storage life of approximately two weeks. Don't worry about the surface mold if you find any, just wipe it off; it should not affect the inside. It is best to store them out of direct sunlight and in a cool place. By storing them in the refrigerator, you extend their storage life up to two months or more. Once peeled, the seeds will last a week or more in the refrigerator and can be frozen for up to a year. Once juiced, pomegranates will last about five days under refrigeration, and up to six months frozen. Spinach, Pine Nut, and Pomegranate Salad