Box schemes. Support them as they struggle

[Deleted User] · 20 July 2007 at 9:14AM

I just had to start a new thread because I know the organic farmers are having a really bad time at the moment.

I have had a veg box from riverford each week for two years and in all that time have never been let down

Even now, they obviously could not pull spinach this week so they substituted 3 globe artichokes. Look at the riverford newsletter on site and you will see how they are struggling to get veggies planted and harvested. They need our support now as never before

I found this link re voting for the best box scheme and I made the effort and voted for riverford because I cannot fault them and their lovely produce. I have tried boxes from various people but these are the ones I have stayed with. So vote for the one you like best

http://uktv.co.uk/food/localfoodhero/search

catkins · 20 July 2007 at 9:18AM

I keep thinking about getting a box delivered. I am so sick of supermarket veg and, being veggie, I and OH eat masses of veg a week. Round by me River Nene deliver (I think that is the same company as Riverford). Could not decide between them and Abel & Cole. Abel & Cole have the facility for you to let them know what you like and dislike. It's not that we particularly dislike any veg (except artichokes) but it would be nice to have the choice. River Nene do not seem to let you do this.

I will look again at the sites and probably book a delivery for next week

balmaiden · 20 July 2007 at 9:21AM

Seconded.

My Brother grows veg for his organic box business. In a normal year they work soooo hard for so little, but are dedicated to producing better veg. But this year is close to disaster, they have already lost half of their potato crop due to the weather.

Its the old, old story, use it or we lose it, then when we cry out for organic, it wont be there im afraid.

[Deleted User] · 20 July 2007 at 9:22AM

riverford lets you choose whatever box you want each week. Last week I chose a small box plus added various fruits etc and this week I had the summer box plus milk. Look at the box selection on their website. Their delivery is so very reliable and at approx the same time every week

Justie · 20 July 2007 at 9:34AM

catkins wrote: »

I keep thinking about getting a box delivered. I am so sick of supermarket veg and, being veggie, I and OH eat masses of veg a week. Round by me River Nene deliver (I think that is the same company as Riverford). Could not decide between them and Abel & Cole. Abel & Cole have the facility for you to let them know what you like and dislike. It's not that we particularly dislike any veg (except artichokes) but it would be nice to have the choice. River Nene do not seem to let you do this.

I will look again at the sites and probably book a delivery for next week

personally I would pick Rivernene/Riverford over Abel and Cole as they actually work with a co-operative of farmers as locally as possible to their main farm whereas Abel and Cole as far as I understand it buy in organic fruit and veg on the big markets in London rather than developing their own relationships with farmers - oops not A&C who do that but someone else sorry for misleading. I've also had a couple of bad experiences with the quality of A&C partly as they use just general couriers for their nationwide deliveries whereas Rivernene/ford use their own local couriers and are putting effort into working out the best ways of getting produce to the customer as near to how it is sent out as possible.

I look at what is due to be in the boxes each week and then pick the one we're most likely to use so it's rare that we end up with anything we don't like.

Kittie we had pointy cabbage instead of spinach in ours

boo81 · 20 July 2007 at 10:00AM

I doubt abel and cole ever use markets mainly because they wouldnt get the value. They make a big deal of their relationship with the farmers and many products always come from the same source. If you look at their website the front page gives grower stories and each products has a info box and often they tell you who provides it.

They actually give grants to farmers so they can buy more land, animals, or employ more staff. Also they may use couriers but you do have the same driver each week.

[Deleted User] · 20 July 2007 at 10:10AM

I didn`t like to say previously but I did try abel and cole twice and I thought their boxes were way too expensive plus the courier delivered late the first time and a whole day late the second time. Riverford have their own courier working locally so I see the same person week in week out. He is so very obliging too

My dd in Bristol also has a fantastic riverford courier, who puts her box under a table in their back garden and he covers it too.

boo81 · 20 July 2007 at 10:13AM

Abel and cole actually let themselves into my house and lock up, I was so surprised they had the insurance to cover that!

I know many dont like abel and cole but my personal experience as been very good, I do use riverford for meat deliverys so im not biased

Justie · 20 July 2007 at 10:34AM

boo81 wrote: »

I doubt abel and cole ever use markets mainly because they wouldnt get the value. They make a big deal of their relationship with the farmers and many products always come from the same source. If you look at their website the front page gives grower stories and each products has a info box and often they tell you who provides it.

They actually give grants to farmers so they can buy more land, animals, or employ more staff. Also they may use couriers but you do have the same driver each week.

apologies it must be one of the other sites I looked at not A&C I will edit my post so as not to misinform people.

morganlefay · 20 July 2007 at 11:40AM

I've been having Riverford boxes once a fortnight for some months now. I don't mind not being able to tell them what I don't like - I just give things to a friend if I don't like them (actually only done that with beetroot). The veg/fruit are really good, the local people who deliver very prompt, cheerful and sensible and I have been very impressed with the whole thing. I have a fabulous farm shop near me (tho it is not organic) and often Riverford veg cheaper than theirs. Hoorah for Riverford !!:T

Hotspur · 20 July 2007 at 1:01PM

I have used Rivernene for a couple of years now, on and off, and have been very satisfied with their service. I did sign up to Abel & Cole however found that they were not as flexible with delivery options and also wanted me to commit to a delivery every week which didn't suit my circumstances as I am often away with work.

Rivernene allow you to order whenever you want and you have the ability to look on their website and see what is likely to be in their standard boxes each week which is great.

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Box schemes. Support them as they struggle

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