An app(le) a day to keep bad eating habits at bay

Did you know that June is the National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month? Until the start of the month, I didn’t either.

Being aware of it, however, is certainly helping me to pay attention to my eating habits. I’ve realized over the last two weeks that I generally don’t have any idea where my food comes from, or what’s really in it.

Buying fresh food is often pricier and not as readily available as processed, industrial produce. Convenience plays a huge part in determining what we eat. I’ll sooner head to my local supermarket after work than go out of my way to the closest health food store.

Organic food might not be the most convenient or cheapest, but it’s generally healthier for you and for the environment.

The growing concerns about the industrial agriculture’s effects on the environment and our health, especially in America, present a business opportunity. A handful of startups have tapped into this to encourage local eating habits and raise awareness of the bigger issues of industrialized food systems.

Below are five services that you should definitely check out this June if you’re trying to up your fresh produce (and healthy eating) game!

Avocago

If you love avocados as much as I do, you understand the extreme frustration of starting to prepare a nice brunch only to find that the avocado you judged last night to become perfectly ripe by now has become wrinkly, brown, and gross. Why bother with brunch at all if you don’t have ripe avocados!?

Avocago understands that the struggle is real and has made its sole mission to deliver the best avocados to your doorstep. Just enter your phone number and indicate how many avocados you desire; confirm your order, sit back, and patiently await your fresh avocados. The process is as smooth and luxurious as the perfect avocado you’re about to enjoy.

Meatme

Here’s a stat that’ll blow your mind: Australians, Europeans and Americans eat on average over 140 pounds of meat per person, per year. That’s half a pound of meat per person a day. Given that meat production is the most environmentally hostile food industry, that’s a pretty unsettling fact.

A significant part of the industry’s environmental footprint is transportation. Many gallons of gas are used to get that Brazil-raised steak to your local supermarket.

Obviously getting people to quit meat cold turkey isn’t an option, but encouraging them to eat and source their meat responsibly is a good start.

That’s Meatme’s mission, to “revolutionize the way we consume meat”. The startup works with local farmers who produce organic meat that’s delivered directly to you.

For now they are only Vancouver-based but the world is in dire need of honest meat solutions so they’ll no doubt expand.

Naturebox

The amount of near-unpronounceable chemical compounds finding their way onto processed snacks’ ingredients lists is staggering. Accordingly, most grocery stores’ healthy snack options are expanding alongside them.

Naturebox decided to skip the grocery store and sell its high quality snacks directly to customers. The online platform lets users choose subscription plans, gives detailed descriptions of each product and has amazing customer service.

If you order something and don’t like it, send it back for free and pick something else to try out. Your average grocery store isn’t going to let you trade in those biscuits and gravy flavored chips just because you didn’t like them as much as you thought you might.

My FarmPal

One of the obstacles to eating fresh fruits and vegetables all day, every day (and not just in June) is that it’s not always easy to find it in your area. MyFarmPal is a community platform dedicated to connecting fresh-food-searchers to fresh-food-providers.

Local businesses selling their own produce can submit listings and gain exposure, while users get to discover local food initiatives.

GrubMarket

Sometimes even when the address is handed to you, going to a store feels like a serious effort. Whether you’re feeling lazy or just strapped for time, GrubMarket is what you need. Type in your postal code, look through the selection of your local produce and order online.

The startup’s mission is to bring organic food “to the 99 percent”. It’s accessible  because it’s easily delivered to your door and it’s 50 percent cheaper than your typical grocery store.

The startup also offers an Etsy-style platform for producers to set up their online shop.

Hungry for more? Have a look through the food-related tech startups on Index.co!