Ship, Ship Hooray!

How to get maple syrup shipped to you the best way possible.

It’s amazing when you really think about where our pure maple syrup ends up. From its start in our sugarhouse on a dead-end dirt road in rural northern Vermont, it ends in a place like a plate of pancakes in California or in an ice cream bowl in Australia.

We’re proud that our syrup is part of the larger global economy, and we realize the many complex hurdles it takes to get it from here to there. So today, let’s talk about shipping, even briefly.

Why are we bringing this up? As we enter the holiday season – our busiest sales period – folks have all kinds of concerns about how to get our Vermont maple products to themselves, loved ones, friends, and business associates.

So here’s a real quick shipping primer.

Wait A Minute, Mr. Postman

Generally, the US Postal System’s Ground Advantage is a great way to ship every day. However, during the holidays, the USPS does not place Ground Advantage packages at the top of the list, which can lead to unexpected delays. If you live in the US, consider this option whenever there’s no immediate time crunch for getting your maple.

During the holidays, USPS Priority is a solid choice for shipping. You get a tracking number and $100 worth of insurance, and your order can be delivered on Saturdays.

The World On Time

We’re big fans of shipping via FedEx (we get great service from them, and they treat us very well). If shipping with FedEx, it’s good to know that, just like the postal system, there are a couple of options, and you should also know that FedEx has a geographic component to it.

On the East Coast, FedEx Ground is a great service for almost any order. Using FedEx Ground, we should be able to guarantee any delivery by Christmas if the order is shipped by Dec. 14.

As you head out of the Eastern time zone and move west across the US, FedEx Express, with its 2-day rate, becomes the optimal option. This will work on the East Coast as well, especially when time is of the essence. The prices on this service are pretty good, all things considering.

Free Shipping?

Sometimes, we get asked why we charge for shipping. It’s an honest question, and we realize that shipping costs contribute to the overall cost of maple syrup.

Here’s the simple answer: Shipping is expensive, and the cost depends on where our maple products are going and how fast they need to get there. So here’s the only thing we can do: keep our maple prices as low and fair as possible. We realize maple is an expensive commodity, and we offer the very best price on maple we can.

And here’s the other thing about us: If you ever have a question about your shipment – say it doesn’t show up, and you need to find out where it is – simply email or call us, and we’ll track it down. Your order is always important to us.

A Final Note

While we do have options for expediting the shipping of your maple order, if you want to make it easier on yourself, place your order by Dec. 14 this year.

Please, and thanks!

About Branon Family Maple Orchards

With headquarters in Fairfield, VT, Branon Family Maple Orchards is a multi-generational agricultural family-owned business specializing in Pure Vermont Maple Syrup and maple products. Powered by renewable solar and made in an Audubon approved bird-friendly habitat, Branon Family Maple Orchards produces single-sourced organic maple syrup. They also carry a variety of maple sauces, rubs, jellies, and other maple specialty products in a sustainable, eco-friendly manner. For more information visit branonmaple.com