To expect Ocado to care about food miles?

[newgirl]

I contacted Ocado to ask if there was a way I could find out what countries their fruit and vegetables came from.

The reply has been shocking.

They do not label on their website where things come from although sometimes they do mention if it comes from the UK - I went through a list of things I buy and not one said it was from the UK.

I asked if their veg box scheme came from the UK and the answer is no.

I was really surprised as Waitrose (who apparently are shareholders) advertise strongly that they support British Farmers etc yet Ocado obviously dont.

I'm really disappointed as I just wanted to shop a bit more ethically - back down the market for me lugging bags again.

My veg box scheme doesn't come from the UK, hence we get bananas and kiwis. I guess with supermarkets the counrty of origin of the fruit and veg and vary quite alot and it would be difficult to guarante were it all comes from.

I realise bananas and kiwis cant come from the Uk but potatoes, strawberries and apples? I just thought it would be really easy to label things from the UK - it could be a marketing thing.

Ocado sell Waitrose food AFAIK so won't it be the same/ come from the same suppliers as what you would buy in the shop?

Supermarkets can change where their fruit and veg come from on a weekly basis so that we as customers benefit from longer growing seasons.

If you know that you're buying a fruit or veg that would technically be out of season here at that particular time, then you can probably assume that it's not local or from the UK.

Best way to do it ethically is not to buy out of season. Not reasonable to expect them to update the website daily with food origins - YABU.

(Having said that, Sainsbury's got on my wick this summer for selling broccoli from kenya, when purple sprouting broccoli was in full swing here so maybe you can never really tell).

i agree we need to buy in season - i thought i was - eg discovery apples - but the products arrived were from holland. So I asked them how I could check before buying and there is no way.

I dont think it is hard to update regularly. They manage to update prices and special offers quite happily.

I'm torn in my opinion of Ocado.

I do use it, because sometimes I need the convenience of the supermarket, and I think Waitrose is the best of a bad bunch.

But I was somewhat to see that they make a big deal about how marvellous it is that all their stock comes from one big distribution centre.

So in other words, the English wine they sell - which is made 5 miles down the road from my house - has to be transported goodness knows how many miles before they will bring it to my door.

I carry on trying to strike a workable balance - getting stuff from local shops, markets etc as much as I can manage and then doing an Ocado shop once in a blue moon when the cupboard is really bare and I have too much on my plate. At least we are thinking about it .... or is that just me trying to feel better.

Newgirl, just go straight to Waitrose to get this info. They are not just shareholders but provide all the produce. They will be able to tell you. Ocado don't have any dealings with suppliers.
I think you were misinformed about the Veg Box - they must have decided to say that because not all the produce comes from the UK. Almost all of it has done when I've bought it, though.
I am also surprised about the strawbs and apples though, as ours were from the UK this week and clearly labelled.
Don't give up on them - complain instead. I do think they are better than the other supermarkets at least

YANBU
and c&%p that they don't care!!

ikwym smithagain - i am of the same mind as you

i went on a mission yesterday and have now booked a veg box delivery from riverford! i'll report back!

i think ocado will probably improve in the future as they are the type of company - i guess we are a few years away

i think i will do as smithagain says and do the occasional ocado shop for large heavy stuff and try to buy more local produce

I agree, it is shocking the amount of stuff that comes from outside the UK and the prices too! The organic box from Ocado I found to be a total waste of time. The whole point of a box scheme is that it should be local as well as organic and not come from miles away. We use a local farm shop now.