Some years back I tried a box scheme, but gave it up because the quality of the boxes was too variable -- they bought the produce in London at the start of the week and our delivery was Friday, so some stuff was a bit ripe to start with: by the time it reached us after a half-day in the van, it was pulp.
But I've tried again, a different organic scheme, and the first 'Mediterranean' box arrived this morning. I have onions, potatoes, carrots, two leeks, an aubergine, an ornately twisted cucumber (he apologised, but I like it), 4 tomatoes, about 6 mushrooms, a lot of broccoli, a red pepper, a fennel, a small bag of green beans, a bag of wild rocket, a big bag of kailan (a chinese green), a crisp romaine-ish lettuce, and an interesting conversation with the driver. All for £15. They grow as much as possible themselves (they supply local restaurants and nearby Waitroses with cucumbers and other stuff). I had a chat with the owner when I signed up for it; they do their best to keep the foodmiles down when they haven't grown it, and they are happy to cater for other peculiar ethical problems.
I think it's a reasonable price for the quality; the salads are so fresh they're squeaking. I just have to decide how to eat it all before next week!
regards sarah
-- Think of it as evolution in action.
