Fresh fruit/veg boxes delivered?

Castlefarm_dundrum

Noted Cathy

Golden_Anemone

Castlefarm_dundrum wrote: »

I was just wondering how you came to the conclusion that there is so much imported produce in our boxes given the items are currently seasonal? I think that is a totally unjustified comment given that you have never used our service and have no knowledge of our produce grown/sourced.

Regarding the bread and milk. Both suppliers are NI companies. Not major retailers. 99.9 per cent of people use these items on a daily basis. Our business is all about customer demands and needs. We would be happy to answer any other questions you may have directly

Woah - defensive or what?

I am basing my post on the information on your leaflet and pictures on your website Nigel which clearly show/mention tomatoes from Holland and Hovis white sliced bread. I was not aware that Hovis were a local company - in fact their website says they are based in Windsor, England.

Perhaps you ought to update your marketing material so it is more accurate rather than jump down people's throats for basing their opinions on it.

Golden_Anemone

A.L.D.A wrote: »

I suppose they are trying to cater for a market that is wider than just vegetable so as to reduce the need to go to shops. You don't have to buy milk from them! If you have queries ask them direct.

I buy very few vegetables as I grow most of my own, it is a hobby. Most of the vegetables are very easy to grow. More people should give it a go. I had 8 weeks of strawberries this year, have beetroot, onions, cabbage, runner beans, apples, plumbs, currents, rhubarb etc etc. Tastes better if fresh and I know what is sprayed on it. Seriously give it a go and if you are not too sure about what to do join a local gardening society or a blog. It will save money and is a good education for children.

There was a business in North down that supplied organically grown boxes of seasonal produce, unfortunately I don't now have their contact details. Councillor John Barry (North Down) would have their contact details as I believe they supplied him. Drop him an e-mail via the council, I am sure that he would be glad to help.

You could contact the Green Party in Bangor, or send them a message on facebook. They would probably know a few such people.

I do grow my own Alda though I'm still struggling with the summer/autumn glut versus the winter/spring drought. I think I need another freezer and about 10 extra hours a day!

A.L.D.A

Golden_Anemone wrote: »

Woah - defensive or what?

I am basing my post on the information on your leaflet and pictures on your website Nigel which clearly show/mention tomatoes from Holland and Hovis white sliced bread. I was not aware that Hovis were a local company - in fact their website says they are based in Windsor, England.

Perhaps you ought to update your marketing material so it is more accurate rather than jump down people's throats for basing their opinions on it.

I visited their site and it clearly states they are from Dundrum and describe themselves as the 'Natural taste of the Mournes'. Could not see any reference to Windsor. Perhaps we are looking at different sites?

http://www.castlefarmdundrum.co.uk/About-Us.html

I think they are trying to offer local produce plus a few extras that many buy anyway. I would confirm their comment about tomatoes; mine this year are deeply disappointing. Warm spring, cold summer, miserable tomatoes. Last year was giving them away in big bags this year, they are petite not much of a surplus.

Anyway I would like to see castlefarm and any like them do well. Helps keep money in circulation here and creates local jobs.

With regards growing your own, all the plants like kale, all the brassica, cabbage, sprouts, cape cauliflowers some of the frost hardy roots grow in winter. Here is a link

http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/Profile.aspx?pid=110

I find early spring more of a problem, but intend to experiment more with the greenhouses.

Seriously don't give up on winter vegetables!

dmxdave

A.L.D.A wrote: »

I visited their site and it clearly states they are from Dundrum and describe themselves as the 'Natural taste of the Mournes'. Could not see any reference to Windsor. Perhaps we are looking at different sites?

GA was talking about Hovis

Golden_Anemone wrote: »

I was not aware that Hovis were a local company - in fact their website says they are based in Windsor, England.

Golden_Anemone

A.L.D.A wrote: »

Anyway I would like to see castlefarm and any like them do well. Helps keep money in circulation here and creates local jobs.

Here's the thing ALDA, so do I! I just don't think white sliced pan and tasteless tomatoes have any place in a veg box. My opinion and maybe I'm in a minority but I think I'm entitled to an opinion.

With regards growing your own, all the plants like kale, all the brassica, cabbage, sprouts, cape cauliflowers some of the frost hardy roots grow in winter. Here is a link

http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/Profile.aspx?pid=110

Thanks - been there, tried that but I have terrible bother with cabbage white larvae. I've tried netting and picking them off but I can't seem to keep them under control. Will have a go at winter hardy roots.

I find early spring more of a problem, but intend to experiment more with the greenhouses.

Seriously don't give up on winter vegetables!

I have had great success with Autumn sown broad beans - very early beans and hardly any blackfly in comparison to spring sown.

wifeforlife

Castlefarm_dundrum wrote: »

Noted Cathy

No probs at all :money:

mofopants

I think i might give one of these boxes a try - I hate getting my veg from the supermarket as i find the quality disappointing a lot of the time, and working full time i don't get much of a chance to get out to the grocers

A.L.D.A

dmxdave wrote: »

GA was talking about Hovis

OOPs Sorry.:o

There I was rushing off to look for Windsor on Castlefarm's website, thought for a moment they supplied the Queen! :rotfl:

I wish there were far more people trying to organise selling local produce.

suzie204

Quote: I just don't think White sliced pan and tasteless tomatoes have any place in a veg box.

I am a customer of Castle Farm Dundrum and I can assure you that their produce is anything but 'tasteless'. Can I ask have you actually tried the boxes or are you just making a uneducated guess??!

Their boxes are full of good quality and tasty veg that stays fresher than any produce bought in supermarkets.

I love that you get bread and milk in the boxes, it's handy! (even if it is 'sliced pan' I don't see the problem, I would be buying bread in a shop sliced if it wasn't in the box!)

I 100% recommend the boxes from Castle Farm, they are excellent quality and great value for money! It's good to SUPPORT local businesses!