Anybody tried an Abel & Cole veg' box?

Muzikmaster

Thinking of placing my first order, even though I feel it's a little pricey. Keen to see if going 'organic' really will taste better.

Anybody ordered from them before and what did you think?

geordie_joe

Muzikmaster wrote: »

Anybody ordered from them before and what did you think?

I have never ordered from them, and can't remember ever even visiting their web site. But a couple of weeks ago I got plagued by phone calls while I was at work. I'd get home and have 10 -15 missed calls from a number I did not recognise. I googled the number and found it was them, see here

http://www.facebook.com/AbelandCole/posts/10151373877655462

and here

http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/02075363460

Charliezoo

I used to order from them years ago. They were ok but the box contents were often so unusual that I didn't know what to do with some of the strange vegetables so they'd end up going to waste! I liked getting the delivery but most of the time the contents was absolutely caked in mud and I'd end up standing at the sink for half an hour scrubbing everything. I stopped ordering when they started charging for delivery and I worked out that I could get nice clean organic produce at Waitrose for less and wouldn't need to use a load of my metered water to wash it. On the upside their produce and service was very good and the organic milk was amazing.

Geordie Joe I have also been bombarded with calls from them, 2 or 3 a day for about 2 weeks. I never answered them but googled the number and found out I was one of many. I thoroughly dislike this form of sales tactic so will not order from them again on principle.

good_advice

I tried Abel & Cole for a few weeks.
I thought at the time I was making the family healthier.
I found though you had to make sure you were in so the box was not pinched off the step - live on a main road.
The vegetables were always covered in mud.
You had their choice of seasonal veg from your list. Not very good for menu planning.
They want the box flat packed and given back to the driver to be green and save on waste.

I canceled and went back to the clean vegetables at the supermarket and choose what you want.

Edwardia

I had my first Abel & Cole order today. I didn't order a veg box however as I like to choose my own veg.

I'm certainly not complaining about 99p delivery or £10 minimum order (£40 Sainsbury's £50 Waitrose)

The cheapest places for organic veg when in stock are Lidl and ASDA.

eleanor73

I love Abel and COle and used to order their gourmet veg box as I especially liked the unusual veg. It is more expensive than the supermarket but it was my treat and I only can compliment the produce and customer service. I also love their website for the recipes and the odd little freebie I used to receive in my box. I am asking for Abel and Cole vouchers for my Birthday so I can start getting my box again but then I am a veg geek!!:rotfl:

Edwardia

eleanor73 I bought the cook book and it has some great recipes. I'm hoping I'll be able to get some kohl rabi later, I got wild samphire and globe artichokes today.

Muzikmaster

Hmmm the washing and scrubbing of the vegetables does put me off a little. Well I've decided to give the medium veg' box a go. I get a free cook book with my first order so that's OK plus I've now found out that I get my 4th box for free so I'm happy with that.

eleanor73

Edwardia wrote: »

eleanor73 I bought the cook book and it has some great recipes. I'm hoping I'll be able to get some kohl rabi later, I got wild samphire and globe artichokes today.

I love the cookbook-I got it free when I took out my first order months ago. The Kohlrabi gratin is lovely (although maybe a bit carby for you!)

Edwardia

Looked it up and kohl rabi not that carby so will have a look for that recipe thanks eleanor73. I can sub finely grated Parmesan and ground up nuts for breadcrumbs.

terra_ferma

Never tried Abel and Cole, but friends who did told me Riverfords are better quality.
A&C are also owned by Lloyds now, a bit too commercial for me.