This Page is Still Being Built. However, to get started, here is an article which lists numerous mail order sources of Organic and Chemical-Free, GMO-free Foods. My favorite organic mail order place is Mountain Ark Trading Company (contact info below), but I am sure that are also some other good ones on the list. By the way, I haven't dealt with Mountain Ark for several years, but I hope they are still as excellent as they used to be. Sequoia *********************************************** http://newssearch.looksmart.com/p/articles/mi_m0820/is_n218/ai_17444883/print The mail-order companies described below are a sampling of those that cater to health-conscious folk. "Special Delivery: Mail-Order Sources Can Help Bring Natural Products Into Your Home" By Susan Jane Cheney - Vegetarian Times Urbanites can usually round up all the natural or exotic ingredients they need with a trip to the supermarket, natural food store or ethnic market. But it's a different story when you're looking for tofu in Terlingua, Texas, or buckwheat noodles in Buxtahuda, Ill. Such searches are more than likely to result in blank stares and dead ends. But if you've got a telephone and a mailbox, you don't have to settle for whatever is on your local grocer's shelves. You can buy good quality, frequently organic ingredients and prepared foods of every type from mail-order sources. You can even order alternatives to common food allergens and a broad selection of accessories, including cookbooks, kitchenware and environmentally friendly cleaning supplies. What's more, this convenience won't bankrupt you: Though you pay shipping and handling charges for mail-order merchandise, sales tax often isn't applicable to out-of-state purchases. For price breaks on bulk items you can join like-minded friends and buy larger quantities for less money. The mail-order companies described below are a sampling of those that cater to health-conscious folk. To locate other sources, talk to your friends and watch magazine ads. Some cookbooks include an appendix of sources for hard-to-find ingredients. Check the Catalog of Catalogs IV (Woodbine House, 1995) by Edward Palder or the "Mail Order Gourmet" (Ehrlich Creative Communications Inc., P.O. Box 1085, New York, NY 10011; [212] 989-5996), a bimonthly newsletter devoted to mail-order foods. The Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) publishes an annual guide to organic information and resources. To order its 1995 National Organic Directory, call [916] 756-8518 or [800] 852-3832; FAX [916] 756-7857; or write P.O. Box 464, Davis, CA 95617. All the following businesses deal directly with individual consumers. Once you've figured out what you need and like, talk to supermarket and natural food store managers in your area about carrying your favorite products. GENERAL SOURCES A number of companies serve as mail-order department stores, stocking a variety of natural foods, body and home products, cookware, books and clothing. WALNUT Acres (Walnut Acres Road, Penns Creek, PA 17862; [717] 837-0601 or [800] 433-3998 : Carries whole grains, cereals, flours, pastas, baked goods, baking mixes, beans, natural sweeteners, canned fruit vegetables and juices, nuts and nut butters, dried fruits, fruit spreads, cheeses, coffees and teas, fresh produce, oils and vinegars, prepared soups, kitchen appliances and bakeware, dried herbs, international condiments, vitamin and mineral supplements, environmentally sound cleaning supplies, air filters, water-saving shower-heads and the like. Most food items are grown or produced in-house, and many are organic. MOUNTAIN ARK TRADING COMPANY (P.O. BOX 3170, Fayetteville, AR 72702; [800] 643-8909; FAX [501] 521-9100): Has a long track record of supplying grains, beans, cereals, breads, canned and dried fruits and vegetables, noodles, oils, nuts, seeds, sweeteners, coffees, teas, non-dairy beverages, herbs, tofu, tempeh, sea vegetables and entree mixes. Other offerings include cookware, kitchen accessories, soaps and cleaners, dietary supplements, cookbooks, and personal care, pet, gardening and paper products. Gold Mine Natural Food Company (3419 Hancock St., San Diego, CA 92110-4307; [800] 475-FOOD or [619] 296-8536; FAX [619] 296-9756): Specializes in "macrobiotic, organic and earthwise products for you and your home." Features whole grains and beans, traditional soy seasonings, sea salt, noodles, sea vegetables, dried mushrooms, teas, coffees, grain mills, knives, pressure cookers, body-care products, cookbooks and more. Natural Lifestyle Supplies (16 Lookout Drive, Asheville, NC 28804-3330; [800] 752-2775 or [704] 254-8053; FAX [704] 252-3386): Offers a large selection of organic foods - pains, beans, cereals, nuts, seeds, noodles, seasonings, condiments and beverages, plus kitchenware, books, and natural body and home products. Harvest Direct Inc. (P.O. Box 4514, Decatur, IL 62525-4514; [800] 835-2867 or [217] 422-3324): Provides primarily quality convenience foods, such as soups, sauces, cereals, pastas, baking mixes and grain pilafs, as well as kitchenware and cookbooks. Allergy Resources (P.O. Box 888, 264 Brookridge Ave., Palmer Lake, CO 80133; [719] 488-3630 or [800] USE-FLAX): Markets many alternative ingredients for those who can't tolerate wheat, dairy, eggs and other common foods. Also carries air and water purifiers, books, and naturally derived cosmetics, soaps, lotions and household products. GRAINS AND BEANS Many Mail-Order companies concentrate on one or two categories of basic foods. The following are purveyors who specialize in grains, rice and legumes. Natural Way Mills Inc. (Route 2, Box 37, Middle River, MN 56737; [218] 222-3677; FAX [218] 222-3408): Offers a large selection of organically grown whole grains, flours and cereals produced by its signature dry milling method. Chieftain Wild Rice Company (P.O. Box 290, 1210 Basswood Ave., Spooner, WI 54801; [800] 262-6368; FAX [715] 635-6415): Features 100 percent Minnesota-grown wild rice, rice blends, aromatic rices, and other grains and beans. The Bean Bag Mail Order Company (818 Jefferson St., Oakland, CA 9460 7; [510] 839-8988 or [800] 845-BEAN; FAX [510] 791-070S): Specializes in more than 85 varieties of dried beans, peas and lentils from all over the world. BAKING SUPPLIES AND BREADS Bakers and bread aficionados will delight in special ingredients, tools and tasty finished products that are available through the mail. The King Arthur Flour Baker's Catalogue (P.O. Box 876, Norwich, VT 05055-0876; [800] 827-6836; FAX [800] 343-3002): Features specialty flours and grains plus a comprehensive collection of bread- and pasta-making utensils. Baldwin Hill Bakery (15 Baldwin Hill Road, Phillipston, MA 01331; [508] 249-4691; FAX [508] 249-0020): Founded in 1975. Ships 13 varieties of hearthbaked, organic, whole grain sourdough breads throughout the United States. The Gluten-Free Pantry (P.O. Box 881, Glastonbury, CT 06033; [203] 633-3826): Creates easy-to-make, gluten-free mixes from favorite family recipes for yeasted breads, quick loaves, muffins, brownies, cookies and biscotti. Mill City Bakery (1266 7th St. W., St. Paul, MN 55102; [612] 224-8871 or [800] 873-6844; FAX [612] 224-5634): Specializes in hand-shaped organic sourdough breads without added yeast, fats, oils, sweeteners, dairy products or preservatives; they ship UPS Ground, Second-Day Air or Next-Day Air. VEGETABLES AND FRUITS Many farms throughout the country seek a broad market, particularly when they specialize in a limited number of unusual crops. The CAFF directory cited earlier is an excellent resource for locating organic growers. Diamond Organics (P.O. Box 2159, Freedom, CA 95019; [800] 922-2396; FAX [408] 763-2444): Delivers cut-to-order organic greens and herbs, fresh mushrooms, avocados, and an extensive selection of seasonal vegetables and tree- or vine-ripened temperate and tropical fruits to the continental United States. Delftree Farm (Hidden Valley Road, P.O. Box 460, Pownal, VT 05261; [800] 243-3742; FAX [413] 664-4908): Offers wonderfully flavorful, organically grown shi-itake mushrooms, and other fresh and dried wild mushrooms year-round. South Tex Organics (6 Betty Drive, Mission, TX 78572; [210] 585-1040; FAX [210] 581-1040): Grows and ships tree-ripened, organically grown oranges and red Rio Star grapefruit, plus carrots, potatoes, and sweet yellow and red onions. WoodPrairie FARM (RFD 1, Box 164, Bridgewater, ME 04735; [800] 829-9765): Specializes in organically grown potato varieties, seed potatoes, other seasonal vegetables, dried beans, maple syrup and cereal products. River Bend Country Store (2363 Tucker Road, Hood River, OR 97031; [800] 755-7568; FAX [503] 386-2001): Specializes in organic pears and apples, fruit preserves and filberts. Maine Coast Sea Vegetables (Rural Route 1, Box 78, Franklin, ME 04634; [207] 565-2907; FAX [207] 565-2144): Hand-harvests and dries Maine coast seaweeds, and produces seasonings, pickles and other products from these nutritious plants. Seeds for Change (P.O. Box 15700, Santa Fe, NM 87506-5700;[800] 95- SEEDS: Offers certified organic, open-pollinated vegetable and fruit seeds for gardeners. Many seed varieties are rare, antique varieties no longer grown on modern farms. HERBS AND SPICES Unless you grow your own, unusual seasonings for various ethnic dishes - and traditional medicinal preparations - are often hard to come by. Frontier Cooperative Herbs (3021 78th St., Box 299, Norway, IA 52318; [800] 786-1388): Features an extensive inventory of herbs, spices, teas and coffees; many products are organic. Penzey's, Ltd. Spice House (P.O. BOX 1448, Waukesha, Wl 53187; [414] 574-0277): A comprehensive international selection of herbs, spices and freshly ground blends. Nature's Herb Company (1010 46th St., Emeryville, CA 94608; [510] 601-0700; FAX [510] 547-4234): Has specialized in culinary and medicinal herbs, spices, teas, tinctures and essential oils since 1915. INTERNATIONAL ESSENTIALS Certain Exotic Seasonings, condiments and cookware can make all the difference in the flavor and texture of ethnic delicacies. Los Chileros de Nuevo Mexico (P.O. Box 6215, Sante Fe, NM 87502; [505] 471 - 6967; FAX [505] 473-7306): Features fresh, preservative-free blue and yellow corn products, chilies, pine nuts and other Mexican and Southwestern culinary necessities. The CMC Company (P.O. Drawer 322, Avalon, NJ 08202; [800] CMC-2780; FAX [609] 861-0043): States its mission as supplying hard-to-find authentic ethnic ingredients to serious cooks." Provides essential ingredients plus some kitchen tools and cookbooks for Mexican, Thai, Malaysian, Indonesian, Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, Japanese, Italian, French, Spanish, Jamaican, Greek and Middle Eastern cooking projects. Jasmine & Bread Inc. (RR# 2, Box 256, South Royalton, VT 05068; [802] 763-7115): Creates "condiments beyond compare." "Has an exciting line of innovative sauces, marinades and relishes for use during or after cooking; all contain minimal or no salt and are free of cholesterol and additives. The Oriental Pantry (423 Great Road, Acton, MA 01720; [508] 264-4576 or [800] 828-0368; FAX [617] 275-4506): A good source for Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Thai, Philippine and Korean foods, spices, sauces and kitchenware. Jyoti Cuisine India (P.O. Box 516, Berwyn, PA 19312; [610] 296-4620; FAX [610] 889-0492): Specializes in Indian spices, beans, condiments, Indian cookbooks and a full line of preservative-, MSG- and sugar-free heat-and-eat soups and entrees. KITCHENWARE AND BOOKS Some foods are best prepared in special cookware or require certain tools for best results. These items - and a good selection of vegetarian and ethnic cookbooks - are often lacking in rural regions. Williams-Sonoma: A Catalog for Cooks (P.O. Box 7456, San Francisco, CA 94120-7456; orders: [800] 541-2233; customer service: [800] 541-1262; FAX [415] 421-5153): Presents an assortment of cooking and serving utensils. Zabar's (2245 Broadway, New York, NY 10024; [212] 496-1234 or [212] 787-2000; FAX [212] 580-4477): Renowned throughout the nation, and perhaps the world, as an excellent source of gourmet foods and housewares: everything from fine olive oils to automatic rice cookers. The Mail Order Catalog (Box 180, Summertown, TN 38483; [615] 964-2241 or [800] 695-2241): A source for numerous vegetarian cookbooks, and books relating to food and health. Also includes a few food products, such as textured vegetable protein and soymilk powder. Susan Jane Cheney is a longtime contributor to Vegetarian Times and the author of Breadtime Stories: A Cookbook for Bakers and Browsers (Ten Speed Press, 1990). COPYRIGHT 1995 Vegetarian Times, Inc. All rights reserved. COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Group NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. 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