Ordering for August is now open!

Ordering will be open from now until midnight on Monday the 9th August. Collection should be ready on or around the 14th August but we'll confirm this with you once all orders are in.

Click here for a link to this months' order form.

There have been some changes to Caravan this month, please see the below posts or ask us for a copy of our latest email newsletter for all the details.

Some important notes to remember before you order:

 - If you're new to this, please have a look at the link to the right labelled "How to Order". If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me via email.

 - Order enough to get you through about a month, which is when we'll be ordering again.

 - By ordering with Caravan Organic you agree to our Terms & Conditions (see right)

 - Full payment for the total cost of your order, plus the $7 handling fee, is payable upon receipt of invoice via direct deposit. If you haven't paid, your order won't be sent to the supplier. We don't accept cash payments on pick up day.

 - For info on returns and refunds please read our FAQ's (see right)

As always, if you're after something specific that you don't see on the main order form, please email or call us - we have access to many organic products not listed on the form, and can always make a special order for you if you need it!

Some News from the Caravan House

If you receive our newsletter then you will have read the news that here in the Caravan house we're excitedly awaiting the arrival of our first child!

Pregnancy is such an unpredictable journey, as many of you know first hand, and due to complications in this pregnancy I've had to make some big adjustments to my everyday life in order to keep our proverbial bun proverbially baking for another 20 weeks. 

We've had to make some changes to the way we run Caravan, and we thank you all for your patience and understanding over the last few months while we've been out of touch. 

We've happily welcomed a co-facilitator to the Caravan team, Kirrilly, who has saved the day and will now be in charge of packing and sorting orders. Thanks Kirrilly! 

Order collection will now be from Northmead, just near Baulkham Hills. Unfortunately home delivery will no longer be available.

Our product range won't change and we'll still be adding new items regularly. Some products which I was previously buying in bulk and dividing myself, we will now be offering for you in retail packs or in the 5 kg bulk size. Prices per kilo for bulk products won't change; and the prices of the retail packs are still well below store prices, but are slightly higher than bulk prices and so may be slightly than what you have paid through Caravan in the past.

We apologise for any inconvenience the changes might cause, and we look forward to heading forward with you in our continuing journey to good health and delicious food!

How to store bulk ingredients

Ever wondered the best way to store your bulk Caravan Organic goodies? 

Bulk storage can be achieved in small spaces and allows you to always have plenty of your favourite ingredients on hand.

Of course, the general rule for all dry food items is that they be kept in airtight containers and stored somewhere cool and dark. Transferring bulk foods into large, stackable containers is ideal; as it prolongs the shelf life, and gives you a chance to inspect the entire contents of the bag and make sure there are no surprises. Consider storing your containers in a clean, dry garage; the bottom or top shelf of the pantry; or even in a cupboard in your spare room or linen press (We have a hefty supply of quinoa and pink salt in a cupboard in the loungeroom... ) As long as they're well sealed, they shouldn't attract pests or release/absorb odours. 

Here are some tips for storing some of our most popular bulk sized products.

Oats: Oats contain natural oils, and they tend to be a favourite for weevils. Any food product high in oils is at risk of going rancid if not properly stored. The best way to store oats is in the freezer. Either transfer the oats to an airtight container, or if they're in a resealable bag, simply squeeze out any excess air and pop them in the freezer. They shouldn't clump together and you'll still be able to easily scoop out as much as you need. Freezing the oats has the added benefit of killing off any bug eggs that might be lurking; and oats only take a few minutes at room temperature to defrost.

Wholemeal Flours: Wholemeal flours have a higher oil content than white flours, and therefore have a shorter shelf life. To prevent your wholemeal flours from going bad in warm weather, store in airtight containers in the fridge. 

White or Unbleached Flours: These flours have a lower oil content and don't need to be stored in the fridge. If you freeze all your flour for 48 hours before storing, it will kill off any hidden insects. Store in airtight containers in a dark, cool place. You can store flour in the freezer, if you choose to. It has a frozen shelf life of several years.

Rice; quinoa; dried beans and pulses: These foods have an even lower oil content and are quite happy in airtight containers somewhere dark and cool. These products can be frozen for 48 hours to kill any 'friends', but it isn't essential. 

Raw Nuts (without shells) & Nut Meal: We don't recommend buying nuts in bulk, unless you can store a large amount in your fridge, and know you will use them up at a steady pace. Raw nuts are so high in oil that they are really best kept in the fridge. Refrigerating nuts makes them extra crunchy, too! Always store your nut meal or nut flours in the fridge.

Happy storing!