Veg Boxes/Meat Boxes - are they any good

shazzafly

I'm fed up of tasteless veg/meat that go's off as quick as I buy it and have no local green grocer or butcher near me, I do have access to all the big name supermarkets.
Also watery chicken, tasteless pork and getting less being able to ignore the fact that I may be eating meat from far flung places.
Always thought veg/meat boxes were for posh people but are they actually any good ? I live near Heathrow so not many local farms in my area so I'd need delivery. There appear to be 2 main suppliers Able and Cole and Riverside, but open to suggestions.
I know supermarket is cheaper, but in long run my questions are: does it taste better, is it worth it, does it save you money by keeping you out the supermarket and away from tempting offers ( I am weak and fall for all their marketing tricks).
OR is this the first sign of me being middle aged ???:embarasse

AnnieO1234

I got an organic veg box for a few months about three years ago from a local firm. In honesty? Not worth it, I got fed up of substitutions, either for non-organic or blatently from morrisons. The quality was reasonably good but I prefer Waitrose. At least if something isn't in stock when I visit I can make my own choices for the substitute. Yes, you could say no subs but if you then didn't go over their free delivery amount it was an extra five pounds for receiving less.

Xxx

Diane60

I had a weekly veg box from Riverford for over two years. The veg tastes really good. However, due to costs rising and some of the veg going off before I could use it, I have now cancelled.
Substitutions are a bit of a pain, when you order a specific box of veg, not all items arrive!
I agree, supermarket veg looks "clean" but taste suffers. I am lucky that we have a local veg stall that supports local growers.
I would advise you to give either Abel & Cole or Riverford a try. You can cancel at any time and the veg is really tasty.

Gigervamp

There are a couple of farmer's markets near Heathrow according to BigBarn. Would they be an option?

alandbailey

I have tried a box of meat from a Scottish butcher (Keevil?), I found it expensive, but top knotch for quality.
I would rather go to any supermarket for their reduced items, or a local butchers - then I have more control over the quality and quantity I buy..
The best way is to find a friendly local who goes fishing and shooting and will sell you his surplus kill at cheap prices.
Anybody near Wells got any cod, eel, mackerel, rabbit or pheasant to sell me?:D

Kirri

Have a look at Edwardia's organic thread on here - a few of us use veg box suppliers and there are some reviews and pics, if you can be bothered to trawl back through all the posts!

I prefer my veg box deliveries to the supermarkets, bigger choice of organic, more choice of veg rather than the bog standard and a lot less packaging.

Farmaround is the other bigger veg box company who deliver around London but there are a few smaller ones around. Ocado also do quite a selection of veg boxes now, both organic and non org - they have them on offer at the moment. Riverford, A&C and Farmaround all usually have offers on for new customers.

Quality is usually very good but any issues usually get sorted quickly too - but don't think anyone can expect veg not to go off, that's just what it does! Meals need to be planned around what to use first and check how best to store things. Best to be open minded, get to try new veg and eat a wider variety than just selecting the same things from the supermarket. A&C do allow some dislikes too.

tallyho88

Depends how much veg you consume.. Larger families would benefit.

terra_ferma

Tallyho88 wrote: »

Depends how much veg you consume.. Larger families would benefit.

Not much help for the OP, which company and what box size/cost are you referring to?

I can recommend Riverford, the quality if fantastic. The downside is that you can't choose the delivery day, and some vegs are covered in dirt and it can be time consuming to wash it all.
Their quality is much better than what I found in any supermarket.

mumtosix

Osterley Park have a farm shop for veggies, I find them good value, hth

Mojisola

shazzafly wrote: »

I do have access to all the big name supermarkets.

Judging from some other comments about Morrisons, the shops may vary but I find the meat from the butchery counter is very good in my local one and their veg section is also good in the range and quality.

GlasgowExpat

Before I moved I used to go to Ashgood Farm in Stanwell Road, Horton. A family run business who sell meat from animals they have reared. Very reasonable prices.