Veg boxes

We've had two veg boxes from Abel & Cole now, so thought it ought to be the subject of my next post.

Their marketing clearly worked on us, as a leaflet shoved through the letter box early in January (doubtless cashing in on the New Year 'detox' market, although we've never subscribed to that!) persuaded us to give Abel & Cole a go.

Their website is very informative with regard to the contents of their boxes, and the vast range of products they offer, including bread, meat, and Ecover cleaning products:

www.abel-cole.co.uk


There are two of us in our household, and on average we cook 'properly' about 4 times a week. We opted for the 'mixed organic box' to be delivered fortnightly, which costs £14.80. Whilst we have not weighed and calculated the cost of equivalent organic items in a supermarket, our guesstimate is that the box represents reasonable value. Setting up an account was very easy via the website, and the deadlines for ordering products are pretty flexible. Our box is delivered on Mondays, and we can cancel any time until the preceding Friday night. Abel & Cole prefer you to set up a regular order, although you can amend/cancel them at any time with no obligation. Payment is taken via direct debit after delivery.

The amount of vegetables in the mixed organic box is sufficient for us for a week, although more fruit would be welcome as we both take packed lunches to work every day. Whilst you can state likes and dislikes via the website, you can't swap items in some boxes, so check for this if that is something you would like.

Our reasons for trying a veg box were several:

1. Convenience of doorstep delivery
2. British produce, with minimal imports (bananas being the obvious exception, and those are at least fair trade)
3. Imported goods are brought by ship rather than air, so helping to reduce their 'carbon footprint'

To be honest, neither of us are really that bothered about the organic element of Abel & Cole. I'm not 100% convinced as to its viability in terms of rates of production: if the world's food was produced via (UK standard) organic means, we'd run out of room to grow/rear everything. Thoroughly washing all fruit and veg prior to consumption/cooking must surely get rid of the nastiest pesticides etc or else they wouldn't be permitted for use.

However, we love the fact that the majority of Abel & Cole produce is British. Who really needs mange tout in February anyway? We have had some pretty interesting things in our box so far (the more obscure items come with suggested recipes): jerusalem artichokes this week prompted us to try a scrummy sausage dish that we wouldn't have found otherwise. A few days before delivery, the contents of that week's boxes are posted on the Abel & Cole website, so nothing comes as a complete surprise, which is great.

The produce in our (cardboard) box comes either loose or, joy of joys, in paper bags. The whole lot is tied up with string. Empty boxes left outside on delivery day will be taken back by the driver and re-used, or else you can just recycle them yourself. I was very excited to receive the first lot of potatoes complete with mud!

I'm well aware that an organic veg box is a luxury, and that farm shops provide less expensive British produce, but for convenience, you can't beat a box left on your doorstep.

I think when we get a bit more confident with the whole thing we might try some of the different boxes too - the salad one would be great for summer. So far, none of our produce has gone to waste and I'm discovering some nice soup recipes as a way of using things that I can't think what else to do with.

I would say a veg box is worth trying, and there are other companies out there doing similar things. Anything which diverts money being spent in supermarkets has to be a good thing.