Abel & cole, river ford or someone else?

[Karbea]

We are goi g to start ivf in the new year so I'd like us eat organic food. And I think getting a box will make it easier for us.

Which company would you recommend, we are in Buckinghamshire.

Thanks.

Am watching with interest as I'm about to order a box from Riverford I think to give them a try. I'm in a different area to you though but it seems the best where we are. A few of our friends use them and are v happy with it.
I'm just not sure what size to order!

I use Abel and Cole. I can get you a free box if you want to try them (they give me one also to be clear). I've been using them since the summer and they are not too bad. I spend less with them as they don't sell a lot. The meat is quite expensive though but the fruit and veg last. I usually get a freebe as well, ranging from free mint, a cook book to a bite sized mince pie. They refund without a hassel. I do find the bread a little hard and the eggs turn up cracked but that's it. The milk, chickens and pork all have a good fridge life and usually last until the next delivery.

I've used both and prefer Riverford, their produce lasted longer and i preferred the variety. That said you can't exclude things from your box like you can with A&C.

Riverford all the way. Have used them for years, first in London and now on bucks/berks border. Between me and DH we are happy with a mini veg box a week - sometimes we fall behind on a busy week when we are out to dinner a lot but then you just cancel next week's box to let you catch up so you don't waste food. Friends with 2 DC get the regular fruit & veg box and say that amount is ideal for them.

What I do notice is, apart from the noticeably superior taste, the veg lasts so much longer than supermarket produce so even if you do fall behind the veg is still fine and the waste is minimal compared to the same stuff from the supermarket.

Riverford mince pies are to DIE for as well and I'm about to order a meat box for batch cooking (am 39 weeks!) - have ordered their meat boxes as one-offs before and they're great value.

Posted too soon, meant to add good luck ttc in the new year and hope it works out for you

Trying Abel & Cole just now and 5 weeks in. Excellent so far. Produce is very very high quality. It lasts too.

You can exclude things you don't like either permanently or as a one off (one week I excluded apples from fruit box as a neighbour had given me tons from her garden).

I tried their milk and eggs. Excellent too.

No complaints so far. It's very hand and it's saving us money. I usually use waitrose/ocado and I now spend 40% less on fruit and veg. And because I get a fixed box, I can then Taylor the weeks meat/fish purchases to suit the veg so saving on that too.

Not tried Riverford so can't comment.

Just started with Riverford - lovely fruit and veg. I saw a friend's box first (having no intention of having one myself) and it was so lovely that I did a price comparison with tesco - and the Riverford box came out cheaper - and that was against non-organic Tesco's range. It was the med fruit and veg box and the portions are a really good size. tried their eggs too which are good - nice yellow yolks. It changes the way you shop too - I spend less at the supermarket in general as I'm not tempted by BOGOFs or anything that I don't actually use. plus it changes the way I eat too as I'm looking for things to do with the veg I have - so its introduced more variety and makes me eat more veg/fruit as I don't want any going to waste.

Haven't tried Abel and Cole. Sure they'd be good. I would recommend Riverford.

I use Riverford, have done for a few years and love it. Food keeps for ages, they sell some things you struggle to get in the supermarket - I have a box of squashes which my DCs love. Don't use their meat or dairy products (am not in when they deliver, so don't want the stuff sitting out). Visitors have commented on the delicious veg - I take all the credit for my cooking though

I have used Able and Cole for nearly two years, and am very happy with them. I have found their customer service excellent when I have had to contact them about something, either by phone or email.

The veg is fresh, and keeps well. They send out a good variety, and it is really easy to add in extras if you need it. I like the function to be able to exclude certain items either permanently (I can't stand fennel), or when you haven't used something up (I don't tend to eat as many carrots as they send).

Their range has really expanded recently, and you can get most of your store cupboard essentials from them now. I quite often buy fish or game from them as well, but not meat or poultry as I have an excellent butcher near me.

I've tried pretty much veg box going, and keep coming back to Riverford, although I think their customer service is pretty poor.

However, I would suggest you try something local. the big companies inevitably get stuck into economies of scale, so you tend not to get such interesting things. We had a lovely local company that sent white raspberried, salads with flowers in and yummy yellow courgettes, but unfortunately they got bought out by a bigger company and all the variety went with it.

A&C are more expensive than Riverford as well. They look comparable, but the portions are a lot smaller (for example 1.5kg of spuds v. 2.5)

whimsical I've had excellent customer service from them - I think it may depend on your location as when we were in N London we had one guy, S London another and now out in the suburbs we have yet another. Each has been great service-wise (have had to call to cancel boxes when I've forgotten to do it online, had a mixup with my card once) but can believe it might be patchy.

I wish I could find a local box - luckily we live not far from one of the Riverford farms so it's as local as it can probably get in the SE. If you hear of one, do publicise it!!

My Step-Dad works for Abel&Cole and he sings their praises. He started a couple of months ago and they treat their staff very well. He also gets his box from them and says the food is lovely.