Organic Veg Box - good value for OS-ers?

Brassic

I'm tempted, but no way I can afford to do it sadly. I menu plan like crazy, with some core dishes that my family love, and that are lovely and cheap adn easy to do. I'd find it difficult to still do these as I'd always be buying extra veg so I had the ingrediants.

Also, the girls come home from school and do homework and have a snack of fruit - also take it in their lunchbox quite often. They love bananas, small satsumas, apples etc, but I remember from the boxes I had before, quite often you get oranges for example, which they won't eat. Much easier to just bung in a snack size fruit (ok so it's cos I'm lazy!) Think I'll pass for the moment

[Deleted User]

I get one every week and I do it because I eat organic by choice and have done for 30 years and I also choose to support organic farming

I find the boxes very good value and am constantly surprised at how fresh everything is. I don`t waste a scrap and often end up making soup from the left over greens just before delivery. Today eg I made cabbage and potato soup as I am expecting more cabbage

It does mean more work, especially brain work as I`m always thinking of how to match the veggies with beans/fish/meat. I don`t get that much fruit via the box scheme though, as veggies are the priority

mirakl

I should clarify I am talking about good value for money for what I'm getting, I don't buy the cheapest meat or vegetables because they tend to be terrible and I definitely am making an effort to buy local food produced locally. Having looked at Tescos organic food I think this is reasonable value considering we're at work all day every day and it's delivered to our door.

I also think it will probably force us to eat more vegetables and less meat which will cost us less and probably result in healther lifestyles* I think it's going to be one of those situations where time will tell if we're getting value for money if our monthly food bill drops.







*mirakl lights another cigarette :rotfl:

LizD_2

Natters30

Riverford are based in Devon, and have a distributor in Poole

http://www.riverford.co.uk/

Warborne Farm is near Lymington.

http://www.warbornefarm.co.uk/box.htm

Can't give any recommendations, as I haven't used them, but planning to get one from Warborne Farm soon.

lynzpower

personally, I think it represents pretty poor value too Im afriad.

I think the pound of parsley doesnt look great, you can grow that yourself cheaply and easily ( even ive managed it!)

I look at this and wonder what Id make out of it TBH.

catznine

Don't forget that you can freeze most of the veg and herbs into small usable amounts. We no longer throw any away and often make soups up. I love my fruit and veg boxes, everything tastes so much better and the more money I can avoid spending in the supermarkets the better!

jellycat40

Hi all, very interesting - one of my thoughts for the new year is to have one of these boxes delivered to my door. I may give it a try, we have the riverford thing here but I wonder if I could get a comparison so will try elsewhere as well. I am in the South West - Clevedon near Weston super Mare - if anyone has any ideas for me about this.

To the original poster - I don't think it is very good but it may have the result of making me more creative if I got this selection - I do agree with lynzpower though about the parsley - coriander or basil or something would at least be a bit more interesting.

Louise

rose_sparky

If money was no object I'd definitely have these boxes delivered as, like others, I believe our farmers get a rough deal from the supermarkets.

However, like most on here I'm on a tight budget and after looking at the Riverford site last night I decided I could get the fruit and vegetables for about half the price, I'd also be concerned about having items I don't really want. Lidll are doing half price fruit and veg at the moment and amongst other things I bought a huge bunch of broccoli for 34p.

MadCowMan

I've just signed up for a fortnightly box from rivernene - I often forget to go out and get fresh veg , so for me it'll force me to cook and stay away from dreaded takeaways. At 7.50 a fortnight , I dont think its too expensive and will provide me with all the basics + some stuff I wouldn't normally use. Its not like I'm locked into a 12 month contract for them , so if it doesn't work out , then I'll cancel but at least I know I tried

I'd love to find a similar service for meat !

jellycat40

Have just ordered a fortnightly mini box from Riverford - I think that it may stop me going to the supermarket and spending more. We will see. It is £7.50 + 16p for the card payment so not a lot to give it a try.

Louise