Online organic fruit and veg?

Frugalfamily3

Hi
I’d really value some opinions on whether it’s worth ordering fruit and veg online. And if so, the best companies for value for money. I’ve ordered a few times from @ble & c0le as it’s organic and the produce is lovely, but fairly expensive.
Thanks.

Browntoa

You can walk in any supermarket these days and get it , even Aldi do it , miles cheaper

Why order online anyway

Zandy_23

I'd rather buy from the supermarket. You want it fresh and it's hard to tell whether it would be at it's freshest considering it would take several days before it reaches your door steps.

littlegreenparrot

Why not see if there are some companies that are more local to you that do it?

The one I use is much better value than A & C, most of it comes from within a few miles, I support a local business, and have the fairies drop a box of goodies off once a week.

Works well if you can swap things out for replacements, and also cancel at will for a couple of weeks.

Frugalfamily3

Thank you all for your advice. I am going to postpone the @bel & c0le delivery and do a supermarket comparison, and then research local deliveries xx

Crystal_Pixie

I use Riverford and I have no problems with the freshness of the vegetables.


Actually I have found the opposite - the vegetables I have in my veg box last much longer that some I have bought in a supermarket.


The other thing to think about is packaging. I hate all the plastic that vegetables come in from supermarkets. The veg box from Riverford is just that and any plastics they do use can be returned to them.


Use every scrap of food from my veg box knowing its organic and normally locally sourced.

Clowance

Isn't the problem lack of choice as to what goes in to the box? there are certain veg I don't want and wouldn't buy so I have never felt the appeal of these delivered boxes, having seen a friends box contents.

Crystal_Pixie

You can list any vegetables you don't like and Riverford email you. You can also make up your own box as well.


There are a lot of selections - like veg boxes with less root vegetables more salad stuff like peppers. I tend to have this box instead as I am diabetic.


I suppose it depends on how fussy you are with veg really!

riotlady

We're paused at the moment because of some complicated dietary restrictions/very strict budget but we used to get the Riverford boxes and loved it.

- It was super fresh and seasonal and most stuff tasted significantly better than supermarket stuff
- Price-wise, it was definitely more expensive than Aldi/Lidl, but not vastly different to somewhere like Sainsburys. For where we were at in our lives at the time it saved us money on average as having all this stuff in the house stopped us getting so many takeaways. If you're a dedicated moneysaver with your grocery bill, it will probably seem like a big step up in price
- We found we ate a lot more fruit and veg and tried more new recipes
- As far as possible, it comes from local farms and the delivery is arranged in such a way as to decrease fuel emissions. It also comes in cardboard boxes and no plastic, so it's much better for the environment than standard super market fare.
- The customer service is excellent

So whether it's worth it is really up to you and your priorities. Personally, if there is enough wiggle room in the budget for it, the health and environmental benefits make it worth it to me. I think there are lots of people for whom that wouldn't be the case though.

doingitanyway

riotlady wrote: »

So whether it's worth it is really up to you and your priorities. Personally, if there is enough wiggle room in the budget for it, the health and environmental benefits make it worth it to me. I think there are lots of people for whom that wouldn't be the case though.

I agree. I have just rejoined. I am nearly at the end of my debt free journey so it is safe to begin reintroducing things that add value to my health and life. I am so mean I use up every scrap of the veggies so it makes sense for me:)
Also not more expensive but better quality than the supermarket and it keeps me out of the shops so saves money there too.

Frugalfamily3

Thanks everyone. Your comments helped me make my mind up. As I!!!8217;m a mortgage free wannabe, my decision has been made now purely on finance. I!!!8217;ve found a local delivery service which is £7 cheaper per box, has more variety of fruit and veg, is still delivered without plastic packaging but is not organic.

My first delivery is on Friday. Fingers crossed for it to be as fresh as Abe1 & c0le and lasts as long !!!55357;!!!56898;