Whats in Your Box ?

[Moby-Dick]

Does anyone here use a 'Box Scheme' ?

For the uninitiated , a box scheme is one where you may get regular deliveries of fresh produce , usually vegetables to your door.

You can't usually choose whats in the box , but you do get a rough idea on whats going to be in it a few days before.

I get the smallest box my scheme provider offers , which is 6 items. For £7.50 a fortnight , its not the cheapest way of getting fresh veg but :

- Its organic ( not a big thing for myself tbh - as long as its not rotten and tastes good I'm happy )
- Its supporting local producers ( most of the the veg are grown relatively locally )
- Convenience - I *could* go to the market or farm shop , but then again that would require a lot more effort

This weeks box was : Onions , Spuds , Carrots , Savoy Cabbage , Mushrooms and Parsnips

I've already made some very good bubble and squeak , and use some carrots and onions in a sauce base. The variation in products does force me to cook things I wouldn't usually try, which has got to be a good thing !

[menthel]

We are trying to get onto one of these, but need to find a time slot when we would be in as we live in a block of flats. Anyone know of a good one in SW London?

[Moby-Dick]

try:

The Organic Delivery Company

Organic box deliveries in the London area.

Unit A59 New Covent Garden Market Nine Elms Lane ,
London,
SW8 5EE.

Tel: 020 7739 8181


or http://www.darbyandmeakin.co.uk/index.php


the place I get mine from are happy to leave it out the back.

[kickstart 1]

We have a scheme near to us (in the north) that offers this service , but i think it is way to expensive compared to what i can get from the supermarket ,even its organic selection is far cheaper and like you say ,you cant pick what you get!

[Moby-Dick]

I'm not sure if its *that* much cheaper - remeber to compare with the organic prices etc.

I just did a quick back of a fag packet calculation and you are probably only saving about a quid on the size of box I get , but then again I'd use that in the petrol to go and get it + I'd be tempted to buy all sorts of things I don't need.

You'll always get a few staple items , so if you like veriety in cooking , every box delivery is like a fresh ready steady cook.

If you are a "its wednesday so it must be meat pie" kinda person then it probably isn't for you

[Funkstar]

i'd really like to get one of these, but it just isn't practical for me. Mum gets them from time to time though.

[menthel]

try:

The Organic Delivery Company

Organic box deliveries in the London area.

Unit A59 New Covent Garden Market Nine Elms Lane ,
London,
SW8 5EE.

Tel: 020 7739 8181


or http://www.darbyandmeakin.co.uk/index.php


the place I get mine from are happy to leave it out the back.

Unfortunately we don't have a 'round back' to utilise.

[DR]

I did this with 2 companies and both were rubbish - poor quality and to be frank one of them was ridiculously odd produce.

I wish I could find a good oen

[madman045]

We ourselves dont, but the other halfs eldest sister does.

I will try to find out who she use's

Usually she buys one of their £20 boxes, always full of all sorts

Feeding three children means it doesnt last that long!!

[Moby-Dick]

I've just changed my veg box for the 'summer' one ( its not got any spuds in it )

all sorts of fantastic looking fresh veg for some cracking salads , and a few things I wouldn't normally cook with , but thats where I love the challenge as it helps me think outside the box in terms of what I cook.

I know this isn't for everyone , but by 'eck does it suit me !

[Sair33]

We use Abel & Cole...

www.abel-cole.co.uk

I think they deliver nationwide, but you can check deliveries in your area on their website.

The "Small Mixed" box is the best place to start I'd say as it has a mix of veg and fruit and always potatoes (£10).
This week had potatoes, aubergine, onions, spring greens, little gem lettuce, pears, bananas and oranges.

You can buy all sorts from them, all organic, boxes or individual items, bread, meat, cheese, wine etc etc. A few things ARE from abroad, but not air freighted.
Great website where you can highlight your likes and dislikes for the mixed boxes where they then try to avoid certain things if you specify you don't like them.

We've had no problems with them at all and I love the suprise of what's going to be in the box... it's like Ready Steady Cook!! I love it!

[menthel]

Have been getting lots of carrots at present. Am currently baking my 2nd carrot cake in as many weeks. I find it quite tasty and very filling! If anyone wants the recipe, just shout!

[med2003]

I love the idea, but not of eating seasonally as most of them pack whatever is seasonal, espeically in the winter months when they seem full of potatoes and onions, when I want salads and things like green beans. Anyone any idea of how to get round that?

[Moby-Dick]

not with a vegetable box - the ones I use refuse to air freight stuff which is the only way you'd get fresh summer veg in winter

[mroz]

I'm not sure if its *that* much cheaper - remeber to compare with the organic prices etc.

I just did a quick back of a fag packet calculation and you are probably only saving about a quid on the size of box I get ,

I know I'm replying to a months old post, but the thread's still active & I had to say something, especially when I noticed you're one of the esteemed guys in charge...

I know we live in a free country & all that, but still, there are limits. I mean, we all agree on that, surely? Now, I applaud your purchase of organic foods, if it supports your local producers & possibly benefits your health, but really, one should surely aim for a little consistency? Why would you be eating organic food & at the same time killing yourself & more importantly damaging your sense of taste by smoking?

Ah, I hear you exclaim. How could I know you smoke - elementary, you revealed above that you have fag packets to hand upon which to write. From this one can deduce that either you are a smoker or a cleptomaniac (*). Since I probably misspelt cleptomanic at this time of night, that condition doesn't actually exist, therefore you must be a smoker.

It follows that whatever my point originally was is correct & from that I would conjecture I need to go to sleep.

(*) There is also an outside chance the packet was inherited from a late friend/relative who smoked. This is very unlikely as anecdotal evidence proves all smokers live to a ripe old age, however on the off chance, I apologise in advance, which is probably something I should do anyway; that & take my medication

So, to sum up, eat your veggies but not while you have a fag hanging out your mouth - put it in the bin first & certainly don't eat the ciggies, with or without organic accompaniements even if the fags are also organic. Oh & can anyone get my wife to stop smoking?

Also I wonder which would be the most appropriate forum to raise the metamathematical topic of smiley arithmetic? Would, for example, + = <= and under what conditions is the equality achieved?

Um, so getting back on topic, anyone know of such a service around Sunderland?

Right, I'm off now, before I build a smilie pyramid.