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

claireac

Thanks for all your replies.

I think it is something that I will try and see how it is. I work 4 days a week and have a 2yr old, so don't always get to the local market at the weekend and the mid week one doesn't coincide with my day off. Typical lol!!

As I live in Hampshire, I will look into farm shops. I hadn't thought of that!

I do like the idea of the box, as I know I will have fresh fruit and veg regularly without worrying about fitting in a shop along with everything else.

Thanks again for all replies and views.

Kerriebaby

I used to love having it delivered, dont get me wrong...I also loved having my milk delivered...just a bit costly for me

studentsaver166

I quite often order a veg box from Riverford organics and I've not a single bad word to say about them. I tend to get the small veg box, which is plenty to feed my partner and myself for more than a week, and its just over £10, delivered straight to your door (in very sturdy cardboard boxes which they will collect from you for reuse, or you can keep them yourself). I'd easily spend more than that on veg in the supermarket and for poorer quality so it's a bargain in my opinion. Unfortunately there's not a huge amount of leeway for swapping items which isn't a problem for me, cos I'll eat any type of veg, but might be for others. That said I believe theyre doing a new option where you can put together a box of 'extras' but I'm not sure of the details. Anyhoo - you can try them as a one off and they deliver most places so I'd highly recommend trying them! Most importantly the veg is absolutely top notch - it's so tasty! Especially the carrots - never had carrots that smelt and tasted so good! Oooh I think I'm going to have to go order one now...!

Pink.

Hi claireac,

There's an earlier thread that should help so I've added your thread to it to keep the replies together.

Pink

sunflower76

I have an organic £20 box delivered each week which contains fruit, vegetables and salad. This may seem quite a lot but is far cheaper than the supermarket and, although dearer then the market, is less hassle. For me this is good value as my time is as important as the cash.

This week I had:

A giant parsnip
A big red cabbage
four carrots
3 onions
several spuds
2 leeks
a cauliflower

several apples
several pears
grapes
satsumas
oranges
an avocado
two lemons

cucumber
salad leaves
tomatoes

Plus some that I've forgotten I'm sure.

The farm shop that it comes from also stocks lots of other organic goods so if I need something I can easily add it to my veg box order.

looby-loo_2

Before I worked full time I grew loads of fruit and veg. I did 'home made' veg boxes for 8 friends just for the summer, from end April to November.

freebiequennie

I have a code for abel and cole if you spend £15 you will get a free mixed fruit and veg box worth £15.95. PM if you want it.

I have used them on and off for 15mths just when we need bits and bobs, particularly like their meat, dont always have fruit and veg as grow our own but when we are low on own i order a box.

[Deleted User]

riverford has gone right down in my estimation and I have been with them for more than 3 years. Again this week the box was only half full and the vegetables are mundane and boring compared to previously. I am going to cancel :mad: :mad: :mad: as they are no longer good value

dianasnan

Kittie
I know what you mean about Riverford going down in quantity and value. Been with them for 2 years and used to get glorious boxes from the Devon Riverford but it's definitely been a bit hit or miss since they started supplying mine from Hampshire. I m going to see what next weeks box is like and then decide whether to cancel. I put this weeks large box contents through Sainsbury on Mysupermarket and did a like for like comparison, seemed to get at least 50% more for the same money from Sainsbury. Did the same a couple of years ago and the veggie box was excellent value compared to the supermarket. Has Riverford grown too big for it's own good?.

[Deleted User]

I agree with you dianasnan. Mine has gone down ever since it started coming from wash farm. I can`t tell you how disappointed I am as I have fond memories of boxes overflowing with the likes of seakale, cavalo nero, celeriac etc but these days it is all savoy cabbages and kale and half full if that. They have indeed got too big and people must be leaving in droves.

I gave some feedback yesterday and Guy is not going to like it but it is as it is. One of my daughters has already left and another is thinking about it. The thing that keeps me going is the new eu directive re fewer pesticides, which will make all our fruit and veg safer

I have been organic for over 30 years and grew all my own to 4 years ago and now have no garden. I looked long and hard for a good box scheme. Oh well!!!