What's in your organic veg box, how much does it cost and what are you doing with it?

jap200

I have recently signed up to an organic veg box scheme from a local farm. I would be interested to see what others think of it and whether it is good value or not.

I'm not used to buying organic veg as I usually go for basics/market value etc so am out of touch with prices. But I decided to give this a go for convenience and supporting the local farm etc.

This is the medium size box and costs £9 + £1.50 for 1/2 dozen organic eggs, so £10.50 for everything in the picture.



Content - all organic
Medium-sized bag of charlotte potatoes (muddy)
9 carrots (muddy)
5 small/medium parsnips (muddy)
4 large onions
small red cabbage
3 leeks
small garlic bulb
bag of chard or spinach beet leaves (not sure which)
bag of mixed winter salad leaves
half dozen organic eggs (medium)

Does this look like good value for £10.50?

I have had cauliflower, squash, brussels sprouts, swede, celeriac and kale in previous boxes

Anyone else get a veg box who would like to share the content here?

Also recipe ideas for the red cabbage would be appreciated. All I can think of is braised red cabbage or coleslaw - neither of which anyone in the family is keen on except me!

kittycat204

I got one from a farm shop the other day.

In it was
3 large parsnips,
4 medium carrots
4 medium white onions
3 medium red onion
huge cauliflower,
huge savoy cabbage
2 medium leeks
small swede
couple lb of potatoes

It was £5, I think it was great value.

Suggestion for the red cabbage, make a huge pot of braised red cabbage and freeze it batches for yourself. It freezes so well. It's a bit of a faff to make a small amount.

sharloid

I don't get a veg box but I enjoy looking at pictures of other peoples. You could always try and price up what they'd cost from a supermarket using mysupermarket.com . The produce you've got is probably better quality but it'll give you a rough idea.

jap200

My box is delivered to my doorstep, I just need to put the empty crate out for collection (and any of the clean plastic bags) and they replace with a full one.

Thanks kittycat204 Freezing the braised red cabbage is a good idea - I can probably make it in the slow cooker too. Your box certainly does sound good value. I am finding that the cabbages and caulies are smaller then I'm used to, but maybe because these are organic and I am used to buying regular/cheapo non-organic veg.

sharloid - I will have a go at pricing it up when I have time. I agree the quality should be better (fresher), but I'm not used to all the mud (lazy I know).

dogstarheaven

I wouldn't be happy for that amount, jap200. Have you tried costing these items and compare them with an organic veg stall at your farmer's markets?

As I grow my own veg and fruit (have an allotment), it will be an awful lot cheaper if you were to grow your own, starting off with the easiest and fastest growing veggies such as salad leaves, courgettes and beans (runners, french). also, herbs are easy to do, with the ones that are annuals (basil and parsley) and perennials (bay, rosemary, thyme, sage). all these can be grown in pots. also, toms and chillis are great as well. have a think about what you can do for yourself with minimal costs, and you'll reap so much more when it comes to harvest time!

If you feel you don't have time for gardening (doesn't take up too much time if they're in pots - just watering when soil feels dry) then, you can go to a farmer's market. they're usually every week in different suburbs of a big city, or fortnightly in big towns.

Or cheaper still, visit a community garden http://www.farmgarden.org.uk/

to find your nearest one, and usually they sell organic seasonal produce at v. reasonable costs.

jap200

dogstarheaven wrote: »

I wouldn't be happy for that amount, jap200. Have you tried costing these items and compare them with an organic veg stall at your farmer's markets?

As I grow my own veg and fruit (have an allotment), it will be an awful lot cheaper if you were to grow your own, starting off with the easiest and fastest growing veggies such as salad leaves, courgettes and beans (runners, french). also, herbs are easy to do, with the ones that are annuals (basil and parsley) and perennials (bay, rosemary, thyme, sage). all these can be grown in pots. also, toms and chillis are great as well. have a think about what you can do for yourself with minimal costs, and you'll reap so much more when it comes to harvest time!

If you feel you don't have time for gardening (doesn't take up too much time if they're in pots - just watering when soil feels dry) then, you can go to a farmer's market. they're usually every week in different suburbs of a big city, or fortnightly in big towns.

Or cheaper still, visit a community garden http://www.farmgarden.org.uk/

to find your nearest one, and usually they sell organic seasonal produce at v. reasonable costs.

Thanks - I do indeed grow my own, but have limited time and space so can only produce a small percentage of what I need for our family of 5 (including 3 pre-teen/teen boys). I do grow all of the things that you mention, but in small quantities!

The farm that delivers my box also has a stall at the local farmers market on Saturday mornings, but I work then so can't get to it. They also sell at their own farm shop, but I rarely have time to drive to that either. I am happy to pay a little more for the convenience of delivery, but you are right, I really should cost it out and compare.

What do other people pay for their boxes?

maddiemay

Hi
I am buying my boxes from Riverford, just 2 of us, so usually buy a medium box every two weeks and top up with fresh greens in between. There were things in this week's box that we already had or don't like, so I selected the items below instead. It does not look quite as dirty as yours, I can cope with it and sort of think it protects the veg from the light and air somewhat (just my own feeling, no proof). The flavour is awesome. The Chard and spinach I usually shred and use in stirfry, and Kale is lovely chopped and roasted with a little oil and soy sauce.
1 × calabrese broccoli 500g £2.05 1 × carrots 1kg £1.70 1 × celeriac x1 £1.75 1 × celery £1.75 1 × onions 500g £1.05 1 × leeks 750g £2.75 1 × swede x 1 £1.55 1 × kiwi fruit x4 £1.45 1 × fruit box free offer £0.00 Total £14.05

FireWyrm

Oh, yes, we use Riverford as well. We get 1 large veg + 1 large fruit box every other week for £30.00(ish). On the off weeks, we get a combined veg and fruit box for £16.00.

I know its expensive, but we have remarked on numerous occasions how much the fruit and veg actually SMELLS like fruit and veg....I'm not kidding, it smells like earth and veg, its so beautiful.

I think its the best thing we ever did as we have been doing it for 6 months. Our shopping spend per month is £100, so an additional £100 for veg and fruit seems like a good deal to me. I love how we have been eating far more fruit and veg in the last 6 months than all the years previously. Weight loss, clearer skin, feeling healthier are all side-effects of this apparently.

Organic veg is definately something I wont give up if I can help it.

Did I mention the kids get excited about the boxes arriving and that we never get a lookin on the baby tomatoes as my youngest snaffles them straight out of the box?

maddiemay

Another thing I like about my organic root veggies is that they don't go slimy, they do shrivel if left too long, but are easily rehydrated if put in a container of water in the fridge for a while. the swede and celeriac this week are huge and will do us 3, possible 4 meals each. BTW potato and celeriac mash with butter and milk are yummy.

dogstarheaven

jap200 wrote: »

This is the medium size box and costs £9 + £1.50 for 1/2 dozen organic eggs, so £10.50 for everything in the picture.



Content - all organic
Medium-sized bag of charlotte potatoes (muddy)
9 carrots (muddy)
5 small/medium parsnips (muddy)
4 large onions
small red cabbage
3 leeks
small garlic bulb
bag of chard or spinach beet leaves (not sure which)
bag of mixed winter salad leaves
half dozen organic eggs (medium)

Does this look like good value for £10.50?

For those who gets a veg box, would it be possible that you can justify OP's box to yours in terms of value for money. As a home-grower, I wouldn't think so, but w/out seeing what the last two posters have got from Riverford, it's hard to know whether OP is getting a dud deal or not. Some veg box schemes vary so much that it's best to shop around, rather than go by the first one you come across. If there is an independant wholefood shop in your area (most cities have at least one or two) they usually have a collection point for such services.

OP: yes, I understand leading a busy working and family life can be hard to juggle. These farmer's markets are only on either during the week when people are at work or on a Sat.! Plus, you can't get to the farm shop as well. Isn't it possible for your OH to pick up from them instead?

dogstarheaven

jap200 wrote: »

My box is delivered to my doorstep, I just need to put the empty crate out for collection (and any of the clean plastic bags) and they replace with a full one.

I agree the quality should be better (fresher), but I'm not used to all the mud (lazy I know).

yes, it's very handy to have home delivery, and it's becoming more and more popular.

You'll get use to the mud (and the grit in your salad leaves!). Have you got yourself a good vegetable scrubbing brush and a 2nd sink? It's good to have the mud on your veg such as potatoes as it helps keep in their freshness. I've still have potatoes that I've grown from last year (lifted in July-ish) and they're still fine despite them caked in mud! If you want to prolong their freshness, ensure that you keep them in a cool dry place, rather than sticking them all in the fridge...