Topic: Organic box schemes

[aquilegia]

I'm looking into starting to get my veggies and fruit from an organic box scheme.

Any recommendations or ones to steer clear of?

It must be one where you can make substitutions if you don't like something (ie - I hate cauliflower and am currently providing all potatoes out of the garden).

[Svea]

whereabouts in london are you?

i have thought about it but tbh, i think i would rather seek out the local farmers' markets round by me (which is what i am doing, actually :)) saves them having to drive it to my door (food miles?). with bike and panier bag i can shift large amounts of veg ;D

find your nearest one on http://www.lfm.org.uk/index.asp

[Svea]

also here: http://thefoody.com/regions/londonfm.html

and: http://www.farmersmarkets.net/visit/

[aquilegia]

Thanks Svea.

I forgot to say that bit - I'm in East London/West Essex. Unfortunately those markets are too far from me.

I was looking for farmers' markets (which would be ideal), but there's nothing local. So then I thought of box schemes because I just can't provide enough veg out of the garden. (yes - I know I should get an allotment, but I just don't feel like I have enough time/knowledge right now!)

[tim]

The one in Devon that we used - Riverford - is excellent. BUT - the boxes all contain something that we have lots of, or don't need or want so, although veggie daughter wanted to support them, we had to discontinue.

[aquilegia]

Tim - thanks I saw Riverford on GW the other week, but they don't deliver to my area.

[Svea]

aqui, i know people in my neighbourhood have used
http://www.abel-cole.co.uk/
but this one also came up when i searched:
http://www.organicdelivery.co.uk/odcframeset.asp

[bananagirl]

I've used Abel and Cole before, they're good, allow subs, and they will replace stuff if it turns up rotten (only happened occasionally) I do find that I have to put pretty much everything in the fridge tho.

[redimp]

We are lucky to have been using the award winning http://www.woodlandsfarm.co.uk/  Have been using them for years and the quality is usually excellent.  They do sometimes forget that you cancelled an order and as with most things at the moment - we owe them money  :(

Some of the produce is grown at Stenigot which is a village near my school.  The actual Woodlands Farm itself is near Boston.

[MagpieDi]

Today's veggie box, locally grown on the farm in our village, bargain I reckon at £1.50 !   ;D   Personal callers only, and don't let the 5 Alsatians or the grumpy old farmer put you off venturing into the farmyard  !!   ;)    ;D 

[wardy]

That's got to be a bargain.  You couldn;'t grow them for that  :o   Well done.  i wish I could buy veg like that at the price.  Save me growing me own  ;D

[BAGGY]

you couldn't get the cauli for 1.50 in m&s.  (let alone the alsations)

[aquilegia]

I reckon Abel and Cole is the one. I like the number of exclusions the allow you to have! (There are certain things I just don't like and others we grow enough of ourselves!) I'm trying to empty out the freezer a bit at the mo (saves on cooking too!) so I reckon the bank holiday week or the week after I've order my first.

Magpie Di - wow - bargain! Wish we had a farm like that near us.

[Lazybones]

Blimey MagpieDi, mine costs me £13.50.  However, I do love it and unlike some boxes everything is sourced locally so keeps the food miles low.  Sorry Aqui - mine's only in Cambridge and surrounding I'm afraid.