Abel and Cole customers...

[Nbg]

Can I ask a few questions for personal research?

I would like to start buying from them but there's a couple of things that bother me.

1. How often do you order from them?
2. What is it you purchase?
3. Roughly how much do you spend with them a month?
4. How much extra do you spend on other items that you cannot buy from A&C?
5. Is it really worth it?

Sorry to be soo nosey!

No, Riverford definitely told me they couldn't do that - I would have to take one of the veg or mixed boxes, then I could add on a fruit bag or box. Before they told me that, I was leaning towards them because I'd heard good things of them, but that didn't help me at all.

this is riverford's medium box this week (£11.50)

courgettes UK
onions UK
bunched carrots UK
cosmos potatoes UK
sweetcorn UK
ruby chard UK
runner beans UK
bunched turnips UK
celery UK
lettuce UK

the large one (£2 more) is similar but with added spinach, leeks and calabrese.

Well yet again it is all good in theory but not so good if you do no live in the home counties. Riverford do not deliver to us. Abel and Cole have the limited UK wide veg box and or large veg box. None of the options for deluxe, extra items etc. Does anyone know of anyone delivering in West Yorkshire?

Bundle I think Kathy maybe meant quantities of said items eg how many onions?

Bozza, there are a few - I have been researching online for our area (East Yorks) and I know my sil in Leeds gets one. I think you will be covered by farmaroundnorth.com (the ones I am thinking of going with), but in any case you can find a v helpful listing at the Soil Association website.
Oop North they mostly seem cheaper than Abel & Cole, too

Thanks Bozza, yes, that's what I meant.
I mean, like 2 onions, or a big bag? If it says courgettes, would that mean a couple, or enough to a courgette-based pasta sauce? 2 heads of sweetcorn or 4? etc....

Thanks though, Bundle - that's interesting anyway. I am impressed that it's all UK.

Actually Kathy I had a quick look at your other thread and spotted that farmaround one and yes we can have a Friday delivery. So now I am awaiting a response to your query before deciding whether to go ahead!

I would give you the run down on my A&C delivery but I'm not sure there's much point as you can't get A&C and we're in London so it probably costs more than your local scheme anyway!

kathy when we get courgettes it's usually 4 largish ones, a bag of onions has mixed sizes but around 6 or 7, sweetcorn is 2 cobs, beetroot is around 4, fruit - apples, pears etc around 5 of each. rocket is in plastic bag - but more than you'd get in sainsbury's and it's not been washed at all.

(when it's not UK, there's a booklet explaining why they do that - rather than buying dodgy UK produce. they also explain when there are disasters in fields with bugs, rain etc)

Sorry to sound stupid but if I order from Riverford do I have to stay in all day or does it generally come at the same time or will they leave it somewhere?

mine comes on a friday morning, one of the days I'm not at work, generally between 9 amd 10am. my next door neighbour gets one too so I suppose we'd take each others in, if we were out. they do suggest leaving coolbox outside if you eg have dairy produce delivered, so they will put it in a secret place if you arrange it (we live in london and i'm not sure our box woudl be there if i was out all day )

Riverford are run separately for each area, so while some distributors might insist on a customer having a vegbox, some are ok about taking orders for fruit plus some other extras up to a minimum spend, if they are delivering to someone else close by. Others are more rigid You can find your local distributor by typing your postcode into the area for placing an order, then phone them and talk to them. Delivery is free which is why there is that stipulation.

Right I am tempted. The Farmaround one says it will leave it if you suggest a suitable place. I thought the kid's play house would be OK.

bozza i would try a few for comparison, if you have the option where you live

Do you mean actually order boxes from a few or just check out the website?

It will actually cost me more I think because I am not currently buying organic and I only spend about £60 on my online shop.

Bundle, thanks for the info - that's exactly what I needed to know.
I am assuming quantities don't vary too much between firms - bit of an assumption, I know, but looking at past MN discussions on box schemes quantities don't seem to be an issue that comes up between different organisations.

Bozza, it's going to cost me more as well, as like you I'm not currently buying organic. I'm assuming the farmers get a lot more of the money, though, and I would rather give my hard-earned dosh to farmers than supermarkets

bozza, I found a few possibles and ordered a single box in consecutive weeks for comparison. one supplier had good credentials (inc. duel fuel cars for delivery) but the veg were a little uninspiring, so we went with riverford

Kathy did you start getting the box delivery? Is so, how are you finding it?

Bozza, try The Organic Pantry