Organic box schemes and food budgets

Finally seriously considering switching to a box scheme, as we're moving to the boonies in a couple of weeks and generally buy organic/free range at the supermarket anyways.  I know we've had threads ad nauseum about box schemes, but I didn't see any major discussion of relative cost.

So, of those of you who have switched to box schemes from buying supermarket organic, how have your food bills changed?  Has it been for the better?  I've compared prices on our local one to our Sainsbury's and found that item for item, they're competitive, if not a bit cheaper.  But hard to tell, since I don't know what size box the two of us will need (I'm a fruit and salad-eating monster). 

I have to admit, we don't look at our food budget that closely, but we felt what we were paying was equal to what we would have paid in the grocery store on organic produce.

We recently stopped because we were unhappy with the quality though.  The potatoes seemed old and were often starting to sprout and the carrotts had too much rotten spots in them, and once a huge beet which I would have loved to have used was verging on squishy.  Plus, it was just too many potatoes all the time, we had a hard time keeping up with them.

Eventually we will find a different veg box scheme to go with, but for now it's back to organic and non-organic stuff from the grocery store.

'Erm...hello there, but we have a great green grocer here in town...

How was the health food store, btw...?

'Erm...hello there, but we have a great green grocer here in town...

How was the health food store, btw...?

...but is it all organic?  It was actually Mike's idea to go with the box scheme as he was splitting one with one of his work buddies for a while. 

The health food store was really cute and had a good selection of stuff both food and non-food-wise.  I brought home and subsequently ate, a piece of yummy vegan chocolate cake. 

...but is it all organic? 

I don't know but you could ask.  He buys his fruit & veg (to sell over here) from a larger market somewhere in Bradford, and he told me before, if there's anything special that I want, to let him know & he will get it for me.  We're more into buying local, if we can, than strictly organic.

Also I think one of the places that does the box schemes around here, if I'm not mistaken, has a regular shop in Leeds somewhere that you can go & buy the stuff, pick it out, yourself.  But I could be wrong.

Glad you liked that store & that it's still open - yaye!

I don't know but you could ask.  He buys his fruit & veg (to sell over here) from a larger market somewhere in Bradford, and he told me before, if there's anything special that I want, to let him know & he will get it for me.  We're more into buying local, if we can, than strictly organic.

Also I think one of the places that does the box schemes around here, if I'm not mistaken, has a regular shop in Leeds somewhere that you can go & buy the stuff, pick it out, yourself.  But I could be wrong.

Glad you liked that store & that it's still open - yaye!

Oh yes, I agree local is just as good as organic--Mike is actually the stricter one where local / organic is concerned.

Yeah the shop made me a bit homesick  !  I *almost* asked the girl who served me if they were hiring, but I didn't have the energy--sooo tired today. 

I *almost* asked the girl who served me if they were hiring, but I didn't have the energy--sooo tired today. 

You should have done!  I think that place would be perfect for you.

Yep, I plan on going back more often and will definitely ask then!

It's really hard to say how our food bills have been affected, as we're still settling in after the move. My feeling is that it will save us money, and so far I'm very happy with the quality of the one we're using now. I should say, though, that we don't typically buy organic fruit/veg at the supermarket.

Andee, out of curiosity, who were you using?

We used to get an organic box and I found it more expensive in terms of food bills.  Sometimes the selection was really random too, like 3 small potatoes and a million tomatoes. 

We found it difficult to plan meals around the box and keeping everything fresh due to the fact sometimes the advertised veggies weren't what actually came in the box.  Thus some wastage was inevitable.

We've just gone back to buying veggies as and when they are needed.

One more thing for the Leeds peeps & I'll shtup...   We have such fabulous markets here - the Leeds city market is amazing! My town has a wonderful green grocer, and Headingley also has one or more (HME can tell ya!).  I know that having it all delivered is a convenience/time thing & as I said I'm not sure about the organic/not organic thing so much - but I do know about the local thing.  If we don't support our community's businesses, they aren't going to exist anymore - in fact you can already see that happening at the market some.   One of the things that I've found unsettling about some of the box schemes - Abel & Cole, for example - it's a Wimbledon company, not a Leeds/Yorkshire company.  Apart from that, there is nothing that can replace the sensual pleasure that I take in going to a market/green grocer - seeing, breathing, etc its goodness & picking out just exactly what I want.  Plus if you go frequently enough, the vender will recognise you & starts putting extra stuff in your bag for free...and nearly everyone here talks about how cheaply you can shop at Leeds city market.  (Plus don't forget the weekend farmers markets twice a month in Leeds, once a month in Headingley (this one I know is organic!), twice a month in Otley - opposite weeks from Leeds...)

Ok - sorry for the hijack & no offense to anyone intended at all (do what works for you & all!).  I'll get off my soapbox now...   Sorry Elliejean!  (if you're out in the boonies, I know your choices are more limited)

I want a green grocer 

We used to get an organic box and I found it more expensive in terms of food bills.  Sometimes the selection was really random too, like 3 small potatoes and a million tomatoes. 

We found it difficult to plan meals around the box and keeping everything fresh due to the fact sometimes the advertised veggies weren't what actually came in the box.  Thus some wastage was inevitable.

We've just gone back to buying veggies as and when they are needed.

I found that up here too.  We ended up with thousands of carrots and I am allergic to them, so would end up taking carrots to everyone I knew just to get rid of them. 

when we were using the box scheme- i felt that we were saving a bit of money.  but it got too much- we had their smallest box and the boy & i just could not get through it all.  and I cook 4 nights/week min.

btw- i used woodlands farm- they should be near you.

I found that up here too.  We ended up with thousands of carrots and I am allergic to them, so would end up taking carrots to everyone I knew just to get rid of them. 

I haven't used a box scheme, but have thought about it a lot and looked at lots of websites. It seemed that on most of them, you could specifiy certain things that you absolutely positively didn't want. Couldn't you do that with carrots?