TIFFANY L. PARKS
Daily Reporter
With a presence in 16 markets, including central Ohio, Green BEAN Delivery, an online grocery service, has developed a winning business recipe.
Founded by husband and wife team, Matt Ewer and Elizabeth Blessing, the pair launched the service in 2007 with the goal of making organic produce and natural groceries convenient, affordable and accessible to Midwest communities.
Mallory Sturgeon, Green BEAN Delivery spokesperson, said the company, which expanded to Columbus in 2010, is the region’s most extensive network of farmers and artisans with organic and sustainable practices.
“Now more than ever, consumers are more receptive to different types of fruits and vegetables,” she said.
“When Green BEAN Delivery first started, people would see kale and say, ‘Isn’t that what’s on the side of the plate at Denny’s?’ Modern cooking shows have helped to open up peoples’ minds.”
As minds have opened, the family-owned and operated company has flourished.
In addition to Columbus, the company’s green, white and sky blue vans can be spotted in greater Cincinnati, greater Indianapolis and greater Louisville.
The company’s social media accounts are peppered with sharp images of colorful vegetables, sliced meats, fresh fruit and affirmations for eating healthy such as “Kale Yeah.”
Green BEAN Delivery, which runs two organic 60-acre farms in Sheridan, Ind. and Mason, Ohio, works by having customers sign up as members who select one of several bin options and then set a delivery schedule.
Deliveries are free with a minimum purchase of $35.
Bin options include a large bin pre-filled with $49 worth of fruit and vegetables and a combination bin for fruits, vegetables and groceries.
Sturgeon said the small produce bin is the most popular base bin.
After shoppers customize their produce order, many tack on kitchen staples such as eggs, milk and bread.
“Our members are always so excited they don’t have to be home to get deliveries. All of our food can stay food-safe for up to eight hours in our insulated bins. Many members say it’s like Christmas each time they receive their doorstep groceries,” she said.
The company’s meat and fish options include pasture-raised poultry and pork and wild-caught fish.
Dairy selections feature locally-produced cheese and cage-free eggs.
The service also offers gluten-free baked goods and more than 1,000 local and national grocery items.
Sturgeon said the delivery service is ideal for those who value being green and individuals who are too busy to shop.
“We welcome all customers,” she said. “We exist to provide farm-to-table product to our customers who want to support their local farmers and artisans with the convenience of choosing their natural groceries online.”
When asked about contributing factors to the venture’s success, Sturgeon applauded Ewer for wearing many hats.
“Ewer had his first agriculture-based job at age 8 when he started loading sweet corn from his family farm onto a wagon and taking it around his hometown in Marion, Ind., to sell,” she said, adding that when he began running a community-supported agriculture program in Seattle, he “realized the potential of mixing technology and fresh-food delivery.”
In addition to working through customer deliveries, the company is involved in local health and wellness programs and donates to food banks.
“One of the most satisfying elements is knowing we are helping the independent farmers and artisans vastly increase their sales,” Sturgeon said.
“Many of our farmers and artisans do not have the manpower to sell their own products. That’s where we come in. It’s extremely rewarding knowing we’re boosting sales for the small business industry.”
For more information, visit greenbeandelivery.com