FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What is special about Bio Basics products?
“SAFETY FIRST” is our motto for quality of food. The food we offer is SLOW FOOD, NOT Fast Food. Seasonal (no mangoes in winter!), Local (no apples for us in Tamil Nadu), Organic (no chemicals used for growing, processing, storing and transporting food) and Whole (no excessive polishing or processing, retaining all nutrition as Nature intended). We ourselves eat and offer foods that are safe to consume, i.e. without chemicals, foods that are whole and not over-polished, and foods without adulteration. Further, all fresh produce (fruits, greens and vegetables) we offer comes from within 80 kms of Coimbatore and grown as per the current season, so we can ourselves verify the farms wherethese are grown. Please don’t worry if at times some items do not “look good”. Nature does not provide food that look like products from a factory! Our food need not have the same shape, size or shine. That is how Nature works. If they have spots or parts that are eaten by insects, we should feel happy because it is then safe for us to eat!
2. How do I know the products are organic?
We follow a rigorous three-layer process to ensure what we offer is genuinely organic. One, we enlist farmers only through genuine reference and after we visit the farm and interview the farmer to our satisfaction. Two, we closely monitor the farm, the farmer and the produce from the farm through our field staff on the ground. We maintain fairly detailed dossiers on each farm, farmer and produce we offer. We offer complete traceability – we can tell you at any point which product has come from which farm. Finally, we support certification - third party and PGS certification for farmers. Feel free to ask us about our sources, and we will take you to the farm for a surprise visit!
3. Can I get everything I need for my family?
We offer a wide range (over 120 products) of products – all basic essentials a family needs. Hence our name! Whatever we offer is organic and natural. We do NOT offer any non-organic or unhealthy items. We are committed to health – yours and ours. In fact, we ourselves buy all our food from Bio Basics!
4. Why are the prices higher than that in the regular market?
Firstly we do not like to compare our prices with that in the regular market, because the regular (chemicalized) market offers unsafe products, very different from our products. No comparison. Further, we pay a major portion of what you pay to the farmer, and not to any middle men. That way, the farmer is careful about growing naturally, because we insist on it and he gets a better price for it. We also employ staff to monitor quality and traceability (we know which product comes from which farm). We believe that it is better to eat right rather than go through health problems later. Don’t you agree?
Also, for a family of four, going 100% organic on all basic essentials costs only Rs 6 per head per meal. Is that too much to pay for the good health of one's near and dear?!
5. How can I get these products at lower prices?
Help us help you. Please tell your family and friends about us. Spread the word. As more consumers buy organic, more farmers will become organic. And the price of these items will drop! That is how Organic Economics works!!
6. How can I get these items from Bio Basics?
Please fill up our registration form. We will then send you a list of available items, and take orders (via phone, SMS, email, Whatsapp and over website) the following day. We get all fresh produce on Mondays and Fridays, and we will bring them to you by Tuesdays and Saturdays along with a bill. You can then pay us on delivery.
7. Why do I have to pre-order?
Our pre-order system enables us to ensure only what you want and at its utmost freshness. Currently our orders for fresh produce are harvested on Monday and reaches you by Tuesday afternoon. Pre-ordering also helps keep costs down since spoilage, excesses and wastage are reduced.
8. What if I am not available to take delivery?
Please make sure someone is at home on the day of delivery. If you can’t be there, make sure to tell us an alternate place to deliver, and please arrange to make the payment on delivery.
9. What if I am not happy with any product?
If you are not happy about any item we have delivered, please let us know at 9677640246.
10. Why do you use plastic for packaging?
Unfortunately we cannot avoid plastic altogether. Some of the grocery items come to us packed in plastic and are safer that way to avoid spillage. But wherever possible, we avoid using plastic, for instance the bag we use to deliver your order is a reusable cloth bag. Also, we use plastic that is foodgrade and can be re-used by you for keeping items in the fridge. If you are keen to avoid plastic, feel free to visit us at our warehouse and pick up groceries in your own containers.