Fruit and veg boxes - are they good value for money?

Lemoncurd

Just got a leaflet though the door from Abel and Cole and have been having a look online at their website and Riverford and a few others who deliver fruit and veg boxes.
The thing is they don't really say anything about the quantities of each item in the box. Are they good value for money? is the produce a lot nicer/fresher than from the supermarket? Do people end up with leftovers because they don't really know what to do with unfamiliar items?

Bargain_Rzl

Try HERE for previous discussion on this subject. However I'm sure this isn't the most comprehensive thread we've had - I couldn't find a better one though

squeaky

Well to start with, most reports are good, though like everything else things can vary from place to place so there can be good ones and bad ones.

Quantities are going to vary depending on how many people the box is for, what size you buy and how often. The company should be happy enough to explain what you might expect if you ask them for a box suitable for your household for a week (or two).

I get a small box from a very local outfit with roughly a pound (1/2kilo) each of five to seven main items (half that of soft fruits in season) which between them last me most of a fortnight. There's a thread about what turns up in boxes here somewhere and when I find it I'll post the link here, so watch this space...


What's in your organic veg box?

moonbeam682

you have to be prepared to use the veggies quite quickly as they do not keep for long but I get Riverford boxes & there is no doubt that they are fresher & better tasting than the supermarket. You will get weird & wonderful veggies along with the everyday ones but I know with Riverford you can tell them if theres something you don't want to receive. Also you get little recipe cards for the unusual veggies. Since getting the boxes I have found that I've been more adventurous with cooking too. (no connection with Riverford by the way!)

squeaky

Forgot to mention that apart from our recipe collections you can always ask here if you get stuck for ideas with any given item

Becles

My b/f asked me the same question recently!

I checked the prices of the items in my £12 box on Tesco.com

It worked out £3 cheaper buying non-organic fruit & veg from Tesco.

The box was £2 cheaper if you buy mostly Tesco Organic stuff, although I had to use prices of non-organic for a couple of items as Tesco didn't stock them.

Bearing in mind the food is delivered to your door, tastes a million times better and there's no extra packaging to get rid of, I'd say the organic box is good value.

katieowl_2

Lemoncurd, I think it depends on how many of you there are eating the stuff, and how inventive you are as a cook.

We used to get a delivery (some years ago) and there were five of us 2 adults three kids (all veggie eaters) and we never had enough of any one thing for a meal for all of us. We ended up doing things like stir-fries, spanish omelettes, things that used a varity of ingredients. We gave up on the delivery in the end because the quality was starting to drop, and I was finding I was buying more veg just to be able to say, cook enough carrots for everybody. Also some weeks you need to use lots of stuff up right away - have you the dicipline to do this or will you end up throwing stuff away (£££'S)? Organic veg sometimes does not keep.

We gave up having a delivery for a few years, and now we have two allotments - quantity is a problem of the past LOL!

Regards
Kate

HOLsale

i'm the founder of the frugal genius uk yahoo group

we've been having this discussion on and off for several months now and groups members have been telling us not only which schemes they are with but what they are getting in their box each week so that people get an idea of what to expect

i was with abel and cole for 6 weeks but got fed up with them making one mistake after another. another member has been with them for months with no problems so they may be hit or miss

i'm waiting for my first delivery from east coast organics which is far better value than abel cole as i'll get a LOT more fruit and veg plus half dozen organic free range eggs and pay 10p less per week...

abel cole delivers uk wide but you really pay for the difference so better to find a local scheme. i'm actually in the middle of compiling a database of organic schemes on the fguk website (yahoo's site, mine is still in the works) if you'd like to join the group you can see what different people's experiences are, plus we've just had the owner of a box scheme join so she should have some interesting things to say! also, i have found as have many other members that having the items delivered to my house keeps me out of the shops and i'm now shopping much more locally including the bakers and butchers.

you'll find our group here http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FrugalGeniusUK/

once you are approved you can find the database here http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FrugalGeniusUK/database

right now i'm concentrating on listing schemes for scotland as we tend to be poorly covered by many things that england takes for granted. however, if you want a jump start why not try doing a google search for "soil association box scheme X" (X is your town or area) and you'll find a long list that the soil association has compiled. that's how i found my new box scheme and it's what i'm using to add info to the database, though members of fguk are being encouraged to enter data about their own schemes

Frugal_Fox

Hi - I've been receiving my organic fruit and veg boxes from Rivernene (sister of Riverford) for the last 6 or so months, and I have to say they are fabulous. Come in sturdy boxes, that squash flat - and that Rob (my driver) take back to reuse. We like our veg - and have two children who also eat veg, and currently for me, a 'small' box does me. The box costs £8.50 and in it I got...

onions
red potatoes (1.25kg)
leeks
kale
carrots
celeriac
squash and
mushrooms.

I also got a fruit box (which I have fortnightly - topped up with a fruit bag in between) at £7.50 which contained apples, pears, bananas, clementines and oranges.

I think it is wonderful value - its good organic food, and the taste is sublime. Its far more seasonal, and I will probably up my box to the medium which costs £10.50 - in which I'd get more veg, and more potatoes shortly, particularly as its 'stew' time soon!

I'm in no way connected to Rivernene - just a very enthusiastic customer!! Also in the summer, I received some peaches that were very bruised - one call to them got it sorted and I received free extra veg in my next box to compensate.

gilly41

Hi
OH and I have a weekly food budget of £50---though I am trying to cut it down month by month.This is for 2 adults and I dog.
I am thinking of getting a box of organic fruit and veg delivered----can I ask people what their views are of these?
We do like our fruit and veg

---

but wondering if they are a bit expensive? I have found one quite local who delivers each Wednesday---that would be great for me as I am home that day.The box of veg is I think £10.50 which is the minimum weekly order and then you can get a fruit pack for £5(suitable for one but it would be fine for OH and I)----therefore £15.50 a week.That doesnt include salad stuff(though there may have been lettuce on the list---cant remember now!)
Thanks for any views
xx

henhog

Hi. I can't do links but if you try the Abel and Cole web site - you could google it, you might find them a bit cheaper. You can look at all the boxes and they have a section where it helps you decide which box is best for you. I use them and on the whole I am pleased. You can list things as likes or dislikes and they will substitute that item or give it to you a lot accordingly. What I miss, however, is choosing my own selection - after a while I have grown very bored of kiwi fruit, oranges and celery which are in just about every box. If you substitute something like a cabbage they just give you more celery!!

As for money saving - I'm not sure. I think it's more than I would spend normally, but if I'm feeling the pinch one week I just cancel the box and only buy the basics (non - organic) from Asda.

The box is nice though- it is like having a pressie every Thursday!!