we are building the future in which we want to live
We know you probably have to choose between a dozen other produce delivery services. But make sure you don’t get green washed. Look behind buzzwords and see what are the facts.
HellaBerry would like to set a national model of sustainable operations. We believe that every step of the process to bring you produce & more matters. Thus we are making efforts at every level, to bring quality and build our sustainable future. Let’s take our destiny in our own hands.
See what steps we've taken below
Sustainable operations - Summary
Environmental Impacts
Reduction of packaging
Produce packaging has become excessive and we found many methods to avoid using single use plastic/paper. As our produce travels short distances, not much packaging is needed to protect it. Looks like this:
- Farmer picks and uses their reusable crates
- HellaBerry meets farmer, organizes and packs orders in our reusable bike friendly crates, with small bags only to pack small produce.
- We then transfer your order into a container you provide in front of your home.
Distance of your food
The produce comes from several small family owned farms in the Bay Area and San Joaquin Valley.
California can grow a vast variety of produce. Giving you nutrient rich produce without the need to import from across the U.S or the ocean.
All of our produce travels less than 200 miles to get to your table.
Compare that to the national average of 1500 miles… See the reference and read more on this Link
Let’s not forget the additional benefits of getting local produce:
- Supporting local economy
- Produce harvested right before you receive it
Many others claim “fresh”- sadly that is not true
The bread is made in San Leandro with flour from Central Milling, an employee-owned company in Utah.
The edible crickets and mealworms are farmed and prepared in San Mateo & Oakland.
Bicycle Transportation
Car is king they say…
Not anymore – We have partnered Bicycle Reserve / Will It Ride to develop our bicycle delivery strategy and operations.
Deliveries are a constant stop-and-go. And you are quite familiar with infamous delivery vans blocking an entire lane creating traffic jams as they deliver 1 box. Deliveries by car are very difficult, in fact they are stressful.
As we adopt bicycle deliveries we can enjoy the following benefits:
- Reduce our carbon emissions
- Promote safer streets by removing a cargo van from your streets
- Reduce traffic
- Less noise pollution
- Healthy for our staff
- Dependable delivery as we have predictable travel times
- Easy drop-off as we know we can arrive right in front of your home, even in busy areas, and easily carry the your order to your doo
Farm & Soil Care
This earth and soil in which we all eat from is a finite resource if we are not careful with agricultural practices.
This is why we have chosen to never carry any produce that has been sprayed with chemical pesticides. The use of pesticides is a no-go in our book.
While not all of our produce is “certified” organic we are choosing to carry produce that is cultivated and harvested organically, with methods respecting the environment.
Also, our operations do not generate food waste as the produce was harvested for us – and bread was baked for us – right on time and does not get damaged during the very little handling and transportation that it goes through.
Route Optimization
Logistics and delivery can be complex – but we have help.
We have a logistics routes optimization partner who has created a custom software for us.
Why is this important you may ask?
It reduces the following:
- Time your order gets delivered
- Miles that your order travels
- Space we take up on the streets
- CO2 emissions
Social Impacts
Customer Service
There is no HellaBerry without our customers.
We’re here to serve our local communities. We are constantly listening to every customer for feedback, and constantly making improvement to our service quality and experience.
We are growing together in partnership.
We did set up several communication channels so as to be equitable and sure that everyone can find a way to reach us. We have a live chat and a contact form on the website, we are reachable by email and are present on Instagram, Facebook and Yelp.
If there is any concern/question/comment, we’re here. We’ll always get back to you.
Farmer / Producer Sets Prices
It takes skill, knowledge, time, and hard work to produce quality produce. This is why we always have the farmers set the prices.
This way we make sure:
- The farmer and their team are taken care of
- Quality corners are not cut
- We’re building long lasting relationships
Giving back
Our solidarity bags go out to families who need fresh healthy food.
With your help, we can bring produce to people in need – you can purchase a Solidarity Bag on this website – We then match and provide the delivery right to their doorstep.
Staff appreciation
In this industry it is status quo to subcontract to delivery drivers.
This mean that the delivery drivers need to provide their own vehicle/insurance/gasoline. Leaving them with bits… paying someone just enough to make it cruel.
We commit to providing our staff with a healthy work environment, safety equipment, PPE, and competitive pay.
Local Economy
We’ve all heard it – “Shop Local”
This is easier said than done. But we do the work for you: every partner / vendor/ farmer that we work with was selected in order to support the local economy.
– They are based in California
– Their business directly or indirectly benefits the city in which we deliver to
– Their products are made / grown in California when possible (the only thing that comes from out of California is the bread flour that comes from Utah!)
WE BELIEVE It is important to be transparent. need clarification? curious? Ask us!
