Finding a Veg Box Scheme to Suit Your Budget and Lifestyle

The last twenty years has seen a gradual transformation in the way we shop for food and every day essentials.  Changing consumer priorities and the internet have both played a big role in these changes.  The demand for food that is locally sourced and organically produced grew rapidly in the 1990s and early 2000s although the recession has had an impact on organic food sales.  Veg box schemes have also become widespread as part of this trend and despite the recession these remain popular.  The internet has developed the sophistication of services available to busy working families and online food shopping services have grown and developed in efficiency and variety.  Again, the comparative costs associated with Veg box schemes and home delivery services is a concern to many, so how do you find the right scheme for you?  

The main things to consider

- Should you use a local or national Veg Box Scheme?  Some services are based on a single farm and deliver only relatively locally.  Others operate on a franchise system or through a network of farms nationally.  Check out what is available in your area and the costs associated with each.  In many cases the larger operations may have the edge.
- What do you want?  Some Veg box schemes offer fruit, vegetables or both.  Depending on the supplier they may also offer meat and dairy products which can further help to take the strain out of the weekly shop.
- Delivery and storage.  Because of the size and range of suppliers delivery options and times vary widely.  Is there a local pick up point for deliveries if you are likely to be out when the drop off is due, or can a friend or neighbour take delivery for you?  For perishable produce this is an important factor so consider your lifestyle and the delivery services available.   
- Delivery frequency.  You may not want a Veg box brimming full of seasonal produce every week.  How flexible is the service on offer, can you change, stop or add to orders at short notice and if so are there any hidden costs?
- Recommendations count.  Do you know anybody already ordering from a scheme and if so how pleased are they with the service and quality?  You can rarely beat personal recommendation when it comes to online food shopping services.

Any other options?

In addition to small providers there are a number of alternative suppliers when it comes to online food shopping.  The supermarkets are, of course, the best known in this field and they do provide a good service.  Downsides can include delivery charges on smaller orders and delivery times, though pretty flexible, are not ideal for everyone.  More suppliers are coming into the market all the time so check what is available in your area.  Some dairies now offer a full range of grocery delivery services alongside their traditional milk rounds.  With products including Veg boxes, tea, coffee, cleaning products and a host of other daily essentials these services come with attractive added extras like no delivery charge on even the smallest orders.  As the online food shopping market grows the number of options for consumers is also growing, so keep a close eye on what’s available in your area.