Veg/Fruit boxes

boomans1

Just returned from a local show and am very interested in starting to buy the veg boxes that get delivered. Does anyone have any advice?

prettypennies

I have had deliveries from quite a few companies over the years. At the moment mine come from www.abelandcole.com I have stuck with these because they supply a good range of groceries.
Also, they will exclude things from the box that you don't like.
Another reason I have stuck with abel and cole is that they publish a list of what is going to be in the various boxes each week. This makes it easier to plan your meals than with some of the other vegbox schemes.

Is there anything specific about vegbox shemes, you were interested in finding out about?

Barneysmom

Plus I think you go tthrough Quidco to these?

I've tried some and they haven't been good value, are the Abel and Cole ones any good?

Wesker

Barneysmom wrote: »

are the Abel and Cole ones any good?

You can get £10 cashback through Cashback Kings, unfortunately they dont deliver in my area

louise_1981

quidco are giving 10 pounds cash back at the minute with able and cole, so you get a free go depending on what you get delivered a salad box is 9.95 a mixed veg and fruit box is 10.95 and they also do loads of other bits and bats too

Mines coming on tuesday!

Barneysmom

louise_1981 could you let us know if it's any good when it comes please?

jacky_horn

HI

I;ve been getting a veg box for about 3 years now. If you compare prices to Lidl or Asda, they do not match up. But it is lovely organic veg, some of which you will not have heard of or seen before and would never buy if you went to the shops. Each week's food is a surprise and an adventure. It makes you be spontaneous and open to new food. Wish it was cheaper though. Each year has a hungry gap when the bag gets sparser. I just think I am going to pack it in when the harvest gets going and the stuff piles in. This all adds to the natural feel of the seasons of the year for me.

Barneysmom

Thanks jacky_horn There's plenty of free food coming up shortly too, blackberries, elderberrys etc, and there are apple trees out there if you look hard.

MichH

I use Riverford. You dont get to put any dislikes as with Abel and Cole, but it does open you up to trying new and different fruit and veg. I always vow never to throw any of it away so it always gets used up. If I dont particularly like the fruit (eg apricots) I mix it with something I do like and make a pot of jam.

I dont know how it compares to the supermarket, but it does stop me from going to the supermarket so in that sense I save money by not buying things I dont need.

Riveford also do meat as well - never tried it myself as I am at work when my box gets delivered. I buy my meat from another company, I buy in bulk and have it delivered to my work address. This way I rarely go to the supermarket.

bigpaws23

I didn't get on with mine because it didn't give enough of the things I use loads of (potatoes for example) so I had to shop anyway.
I would try one again if I wasn't so lucky with local organic stores though and think they must be a god send for a lot of people.

I hope you all enjoy your boxes

midge61

Hi all

Have you looked to see if you have a local fresh produce co-op?

Where I live these are becoming more and more popular. myself and a friend are volunteers that run two co-op's in our town. we enable local producers to reach more people.
we have veg,meat apple juice,eggs,fish and seasonal fruit. We allow members to pay bit by bit if it helps and accept the healthy start vouchers. We are open once a week and it is a very social thing. We all share ideas and recipes (most of which I get from here!).
The co-ops mean we cut out the middle man and there are no travelling costs and all the food is fresh and pesticide free. Our veg producer is great for offering growing tips as well.
They are well worth joining if you have one near by or you could set one up it is easy.