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Best place for organic fruit and veg

11 replies

Fairycakes86 · 14/05/2021 13:18

Which is the best supermarket for organic fruit and veg? We have a big sainsburys nearby but the only organic fruit they’ve had for ages is apples! I’ve not really bought organic before, but thinking about it due to fertility issues and trying to give my /partner’s body the best chance. Thanks!

OP posts:
maxelly · 14/05/2021 14:07

I would look into getting an organic fruit and veg box delivery rather than buying from supermarket (unless you are super fussy about what you have as although they give a variety there's usually minimal opportunity for substitutions) - I use Riverford which I love, but there's also Abel and Cole and Eversfield Organic. I really like how with Riverford what you get is truly fresh, seasonal, grown and packaged really thoughtfully with an eye on the environment, it's very tasty too. You get a big variety, different things every week - before we started the veg boxes we were a bit stuck in a rut of eating the same boring veg week in week out, and although it was a bit daunting to get new things I was less familiar with cooking (particularly in the winter - because they don't use hot houses and as much as possible is UK grown, through the winter you get lots of root and leafy green veg, with apples and pears as fruit with more salady type stuff and soft fruits in the summer), it's actually worked to make our diet much more imaginative and healthy, and there's very little we actively dislike... I also buy eggs, butter, bread and some meat from Riverford, it all comes in the same weekly delivery.

Price wise, organic is noticeably more expensive than normal, but the veg boxes compare well with buying the same organic veg from the supermarket. But if you do want to use a supermarket I find Waitrose the best for having a variety of organic products....

BTW I know this wasn't your question, I don't think there's very much scientific evidence that organic veg is better health-wise (including fertility) than non-organic, however certainly eating more fruit and veg, less dairy and meat is better for your body and the planet too, so in that sense a veg box will be a big help!

Fairycakes86 · 14/05/2021 18:43

Thank you, that’s really helpful. Have you found the quality of the fruit with riverford ok? When I’ve bought fruit from the big supermarkets online, I’ve found it a bit hit and miss.

No I don’t think there is evidence, but I think we’re getting desperate. We’ve changed our diet to be less meat heavy taking all the supplement and looking for other ways to improve.

OP posts:
maxelly · 14/05/2021 23:27

Yes the fruit is really good quality - like always, some things have a narrow window when they're good, and sometimes they deliver things under-ripened to ripen in your fruit bowl, so on occasion I've lost some pears or something purely through missing the window of goodness... but I've had no problem with fruit coming bruised or rotten or anything like that!

maxelly · 14/05/2021 23:29

Also, I'm sounding a bit evangelical about them now but the customer service at Riverford is great - the very few times I've had any issues (missing items mainly) they have refunded me pretty much instantly no questions asked. So if you ever did get unlucky with some bad fruit I'm sure they would refund you...

Fairycakes86 · 15/05/2021 09:44

Haha, no that sounds great. Thanks for your comments! I've put an order in now to give them a try!

OP posts:
GoddessKali · 15/05/2021 09:50

I found this book to be really helpful and reassuring - good luck Flowers
You may want to look into the benefits of eating foraged food if you’re wanting to be super healthy. I follow EatWeeds - the guy Robin Harwood / Harford something is really knowledgeable about how super powerful they are, basically being wild plants have to be super strong to grow out in the wild with no help they apparently have so much more vitamins and minerals that man supported plants.

Best place for organic fruit and veg
Oblomov21 · 15/05/2021 10:07

Where abouts are you? Are you sure there isn't a farm shop near you? Market stall?

I also drive past 2 huge fruit and veg shops on my way to work. Nothing like that near you?

Musntgrumble2021 · 20/05/2021 12:50

Riverford are awesome. Used them for years. Moved somewhere they don’t cover and from asking around found local grower that does veg boxes we pick up from a local farm.

strangeshapedpotato · 21/05/2021 22:52

You're wasting your money - there is absolutely NO difference between Organic and good quality normal F&V - well except for the slightly higher risk of food poisoning with organic produce.

Orla39 · 06/01/2022 21:08

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LiterallyKnowsBest · 06/01/2022 21:34

Another vote for Riverford. Superb service and - although I always did eat plenty of vegetables and fruit before anyway - getting a weekly delivery has really influenced my everyday eating.

The food is excellent. And seasonal. And I like Riverford’s ethos and innovation. I generally choose individual items from their lists and make up a box that way, rather than ordering a pre-picked box. So I never receive anything I don’t actually want or like. Also, I don’t eat meat, but one or two friends of mine who were a bit scathing about the whole thing are now happily ordering their meat every week and singing its praises.

No one could pretend this is a cheap way of eating, compared to supermarkets. Everyone has their own priorities - and I imagine many scoffers spend huge amounts on things I see little value in. (And in other circumstances I’d grow much more of my own food.)

Oh, I should say - my Riverford diet has been hugely beneficial to my skin!

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