Field Guide to Connecticut Subscription Boxes

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By Kristin L.Wolfe

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Photos Winter Caplanson

OUR TOP 10: BOXED, SHIPPED, & DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR

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ven before the Corona Virus turned the world on its head, receiving a box in the mail or on your doorstep offered an element of surprise. Like that giddy feeling you get on a holiday morning or your birthday, or perhaps strolling through Tiffany’s hoping for that special blue box, popping the top off, even if you have an idea of what’s inside, offers a burst of pleasure that never gets old.

All the more reason to partake in a special unveiled moment, despite some of the most difficult times our world has ever seen. Connecticut is doing its part to package some of its best goodies, and douse us with pleasure while we continue to be cooped up and shaken from our routines. Here’s some of what we found: 1

1 Cheesemonger Box Did you know May is AMERICAN cheese month? The folks at Cheesemonger Box offer the best in European and American cheeses and its parent company, Fairfield Cheese Company has been on the top five list as one of America’s best cheese shops. So, now, with their boxed service, you can not only barricade yourself further amidst the quarantine with just about any cheese you like, you can offer it as a gift, become a subscriber, and become an expert all in one.

You can get their CLASSIC box with three ½ pound cuts selected for you; the SIGNATURE with three ½ cuts, crackers and jam, or charcuterie; and there’s the CREATE YOUR OWN box that lets you choose from their hearty list of the best from local farms. Check them out on social channels as @cheesemongerbox or cheesemongerbox.com

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2 Azuluna Foods Supporting local farmers, consuming delicious, healthy, chef-crafted meals, and doing so all from your couch. Really? Really. Azuluna has already been a pioneer of bringing fresh farm goods to your doorstep and doing so with a team of award-winning culinary experts, but now they are doing it with amplified purpose. With their collaboration with CLiCK (Commercially Licensed Operating Kitchen) you can give a little and support the frontlines with farm fresh, chefprepared meals that those who’ve been on their feet day in and day out for our safety can consume while feeling our collective appreciation. Find out more @azulunafoods or azulunafoods.com 6

3 Modern Milkman From 1991-92 I lived in Oxford, England with a host family while I studied at the university. I marveled at how the kids in the family raced to the door to get the milk delivery and fight for the cream at the top of the bottle. For this urbanized American girl it was like watching a scene in a movie; from a world I didn’t know. Well thankfully, today, fresh deliveries and connections with farms couldn’t be more of a natural relationship and forging one with the Modern Milkman should be on your list. With box types like Full Share, Half Share, or Family Share your bases will be covered; and it’s not just milk. From milk, eggs, and butter, to cheeses and yogurt, and even soup or baked goods, your cupboards will be stocked. Follow them @themodernmilkman or find out more at modernmilkman.com

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4 Radical Roots Farm, Monthly Meat Shares With regenerative practices like covered crops and composting with bugs (they have a healthy passion for bugs!), and rotating pastures for livestock, let alone a totally perfect name, Radical Roots literally sees their yield from the earth as gifts. With delivery choices of half shares at 10lbs a month, full shares at 20lbs a month of meat and fresh vegetables, and occasional steak boxes or add ons of lamb, rabbit, or turkey, subscribers are assured plenty of fresh, delicious food they can feel good about. Check them out and order at @radicalrootsct or radicalrootsct.com 10

5 Woodbury Sugar Shed With a tagline like “Making the world a sweeter place, one drip at a time” shoppers will be delighted to not only get delicious and sweet maple syrup, honey, or barbeque sauce but also a range of pantry staples and farm raised meats. You can even get special boxed deliveries like the Farmer’s Breakfast Box with a treasure trove of items like wildflower honey and syrup, sausage, bacon, and muffins, pancake mix, tea, and coffee. Their weekly subscription service delivers seasonal produce harvested from their fields, sent directly to you via UPS. It’s all cultivated at The Farm in North Woodbury, 180 acres of vibrant land managed by one family for nearly thirty years. Take a look and order soon at @thefarmwoodburyct, woodburysugarshed.com or stores.woodburysugarshed.com/the-farm-delivery

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6 Introverts Retreat Read and Snack Box Okay, so I am by no means an introvert, but during this time, even extroverts are being forced to tap into their inner quiet side. And with a place like IRB, quiet or not, alone or not, everyone can revel in the treats they offer. Their Read & Snack Box includes a book (you can choose the genre), bookmark, sweet or savory locally-made snack, and coffee, tea or cocoa. Right now, they are featuring the Read & Relax Box with a book, scented candle, bookmark, and bath salts. How fun would that be to have the birthday girl at your next Zoom party open up a gift like this? Sign me up! My birthday is Sept...nevermind. The beautifully crafted “self-care� packages usually ship within three to five days. Take a look and order @introvertsretreatbox or introvertsretreatbox.com/products/read-snack

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7 Isankofa Skin Care You can just smell the goodies from the screen. Lavender, Apple Crisp, Pumpkin Spice, and Peach are just some of the flavored treats from this Willimantic shop.

Shampoo bars, charcoal soap, rice water face toner, body butters, and even beard oil from Isankofa will save you from your days without showering or shaving. You’ll be inspired to bathe amidst this endless quarantine. For boxed goodies, there are four different ones to choose from to keep up with your routine and to try new things every month. Follow them @isankofa.skin.care or order at isankofa.life

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8 Craftsman Cliff Roasters Roaster/Owner Matthew DuTrumble is a trained chef who deeply cares about everything from the farmer and the beans to the way you are greeted when accepting his cup of coffee. Our morning cup feels even more special when trying to get started at home these days. Get it and more right at your door with one of his monthly subscription boxes. When deciding what to send his box subscribers, he says, “...I’ve have approached roasting coffee from my chef point of view from the beginning, which is different from the traditional coffee roaster; one of the important skills of a true chef is to know what should be on the menu at the right time- whether it’s the weather, symbolic time of the year, or is just that vibe you get (chefs instinct).” Well, I’d say now (and everyday) is the PERFECT time for great coffee. From his little shoppe in Norwich to your door, let Craftsman Cliff (named after his dad) Roasters, start your day. Check them out @craftsmancliffroasters or craftsmancliffroasters.com

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9 Let’s Get Swanky You may first know them of award-winning barbeque sauce fame but the crew at Syman Says Farms are at it again with none other than their new Lotion of the Month club. Yep, after months of being kicked out of our daily routines and settling all too comfortably into the bumming-around-not-so- groomed self care routines of quarantine, we now have Goat Milk Lotion to save our dry, cracked, and itchy skin and taking us into spring with smooth, great smelling appendages! Filled with vitamins and minerals, with fresh but not overwhelming scents like cucumber melon and lilac or cherry blossom and honeysuckle, your skin will thank you. Check them out and subscribe @symansaysfarms or letsgetswanky.com

10 Farm to Bath Who knew soap could get so interesting? When market gardener and herbalist Brenda Sullivan discovered just how sensitive her daughter’s skin was she learned that nothing would work unless she knew the ingredients were natural and mild enough for her baby’s skin. She took matters into her own hands and the Thompson Street Farm in South Glastonbury brought Farm to Bath products to light. With a Mediterranean blend as the first, using the moisturizing properties of olive and coconut oil and goat’s milk, later adding safflower and canola, and an array of herbs and flowers, Sullivan locked into a formula that could treat the most sensitive skin while softening it and offering the aroma of a breezy summer meadow. Unless you order the Microbrew Beer Soap with Irish Moss! From special men’s bars to wild blends like Peppermint Sea Salt or Honey, Carrot & Cinnamon or Orange, Chocolate & Calendula, you will swear these were for eating. Check them out for monthly subscriptions or gift cards @farmtobath or farmtobath.com

With these goods above, not only do consumers get to partake in a new experience, or add a smile to a loved one’s face, but also continue to support local businesses from the comfort of home. And now more than ever, that gives these small businesses a lifeline, something more than any boxed good has done before.

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a supplement to Connecticut Food and Farm Magazine