Riverford Organic veg box

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Riverford Organic veg box
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Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Mon Feb 10, 14 12:06 pm Post subject:

Yes, it's a lot quicker and cheaper, and there's less wastage with standard boxes. My own boxes are much easier all round since I split them away from the 'a bit of everything from the animal' and there's less waste.

We thought about a box scheme but decided against it as there always seems to be something that doesn't get used if you don't have an element of choice. We have a good greengrocer in the local market town, not far from some of our grazing, and a good farm shop a little out of our way, but worth it and we try to integrate trips with other things/deliveries.

nats

Joined: 12 Jun 2007
Posts: 2374
Location: Swindon but not a Swindonian

Posted: Thu Feb 13, 14 5:50 am Post subject:

They may not be as carbon light as your local farm, but still lighter footprint than the local supermarket, which is why I stick with them. Also partly BECAUSE they ship some stuff in - the occasional head of calibraise now means I can persuade the husband to stay with them - if it was pure seasonal we'd have given up a long time ago. I just can't eat that much turnip! And it's one trip less out of the door - means I can avoid having to go to the shops many weeks, which saves precious time which is so important in our life at the moment. The meat is delicious, but expensive. The bread by the way is stunning, but I only ever order it if we are away and I want some basics to greet us when we get back, far too expensive for every week!

joanne

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 7100
Location: Morecambe, Lancashire

Posted: Thu Feb 13, 14 8:10 am Post subject:

I got a Riverford box this week as they offered me the second one free. I usually get an Abel and Cole one and I have to say the quality and quantity of the Riverford one was very disappointing in comparison.

I would use a local box scheme but everyone I've tried has been disappointing with manky veg that doesn't last very long at all.

I like the Abel and Cole one because you can swop stuff out you know you won't eat or have a surplus of, I'm currently drowning in oranges so I've swopped those out this week.

I also like the fun approach Abel & Cole have, you get little messages saying 'we've got too much broccoli have some free' or we aren't sure about these onions so we've stuck a couple extra in for you'

I've reccomended them countless times and had loads of thank you gifts as well including a free veg box - they just seem to be more friendly and want to help plus their veg is really really fresh and lasts ages in the fridge.

DorsetScott

Joined: 23 Oct 2011
Posts: 500
Location: Bournemouth

Posted: Thu Feb 13, 14 1:44 pm Post subject:

joanne wrote:

I actually prefered Abel and Cole to Riverford, like joanne says you get more control over what you receive with Abel and Cole (you can even opt out of specific veg if you don't like it) and there is some fun in the box.

I actually went over to a New Forest box scheme which is all New Forest Marque stuff. Was ok, but nothing special.
There's a localish farm here I'm going to try at some point too, but haven't started up the box deliveries this year, just been using the greengrocers.

Mithril

Joined: 22 Jul 2011
Posts: 1755
Location: wessex

Posted: Thu Feb 13, 14 5:26 pm Post subject:

I liked Abel and Cole too, although I've not had Riverford to compare. But I am fussy and had loads on 'skip' - I wouldn't be happy without that option. Can't afford it now though. Thankfully, there is an organic fruit snd veg stall once a week, not too far away, so I can get some stuff there as it is (mostly) reasonably priced. But these days I eat more meat and I would rather spend my money on free range meat than organic veg (I can't do both).

VM

Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 1748
Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Fri Feb 14, 14 10:36 am Post subject:

If anyone in their area (Lincolnshire, I guess), I highly recommend Woodlands Organic Farm who are near Boston and deliver over quite a wide area.

We only got their box for a while as we started having more of our own stuff, but I thought the quality very good.

They also deliver eggs, meat and game - meat quite expensive as it is organic - the game seems good value - and a whole host of other things.

Worth supporting people converting quite a sizeable family farm to completely organic.

https://www.woodlandsfarm.co.uk/

VM

Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 1748
Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Fri Feb 14, 14 10:38 am Post subject:
Main thing I am struggling to find since moving here is organic milk and other dairy. Some organic milk at village Co-op, but not butter. Ironically, could get it by going to Tesco's in Sleaford, but I don't use Tesco's. Oh well.

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Fri Feb 14, 14 1:00 pm Post subject:
https://assets.riverford.co.uk/bookandfruitbox/?_ms=158 Just received.

joanne

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 7100
Location: Morecambe, Lancashire

Posted: Fri Feb 14, 14 1:13 pm Post subject:

Nick wrote:

https://assets.riverford.co.uk/bookandfruitbox/?_ms=158

Just received.

Yeah but what they don't tell you is that you only get it on the 2nd order and you have to order another box or equivalent of £12.50 in other things to get the free fruit box - Abel & Cole are up front all the way

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Fri Feb 14, 14 1:41 pm Post subject:

Having checked Abel & Cole don't deliver out here so options are even more limited.

Thanks for the voucher Nick, we were aware of similar offers like this but that one may be useful.

We are also aware of their T&Cs, the first line "Free Riverford Farm cook book and fruit box on your second delivery when you place a regular order. Offer applies to new customers. Minimum order value applies." which doesn't seem unreasonable and fairly clear to me.

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Fri Feb 14, 14 1:47 pm Post subject:
I pass it along. I offer no endorsement.

Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15949

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 14 7:41 am Post subject:

Unless you live a long way from suitable sources of supply, what is the point of getting things delivered? I hate it. You have to be within sound of the door bell, so you have to stay in the house and where you can get to the front door quickly. If they just drop it, then it can get wet and soggy or be pinched off the doorstep.

Very difficult to be sure of the carbon footprint of boxes delivered with non-local produce from varying distances versus visiting all shops including farm shops for fruit/veg and meat once a week.

joanne

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 7100
Location: Morecambe, Lancashire

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 14 10:32 am Post subject:

Mistress Rose wrote:

Abel & Cole deliver to me very very early so it's sat there waiting for me when I get up, they are always careful to protect it if it's raining with a big plastic bag that's returnable and they put it in a safe place for me of my choosing.

I can't get to the local farmers market as it's during the week as I work full time, the Abel & Cole boxes have full traceability so I know exactly where my fruit and veg has come from compared to the nearest farm shop which is 15 miles out of my way and isn't that clear where their stuff comes from.

All their packaging is recycled so all I have to do is remember to do my order and stick out last weeks boxes the night before and it's all done for me, the quality is excellent as is the quantity. As far as I'm concerned it's win-win all round

Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15949

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 14 8:26 am Post subject:
Sounds as if it suits you Joanne, but I can get to both farm shops on the way to other shopping, and doing farmers markets, can buy stuff as and when I want, so that route is easier for me.

Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 14 8:34 am Post subject:
Well you did ask 'what is the point of getting things delivered?' and that was Jo's answer... I'm not sure how much easier it is to be sure of the origin of veg & meat in a shop v in a box. In terms of meat it's easier to hide it as shop stuff doesn't have to be labelled at all.

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