I have been aware for some time that there was a fruit and vegetable co-op at my local Church, St Andrew’s Fulham Fields, but I had never quite got round to going. Last week I was walking past when the co-op was running and I popped in to investigate. I was amazed at the quantity and the value of their boxes; each costs only £3. I immediately ordered a vegetable box to be collected the following Tuesday, and have just brought home the haul above.
Obviously it is not a Riverford or Able & Cole style box; but I do think that it is amazing value for money. They order the produce from the North End Road Market, where I frequently shop, and then repack it. The market is amazing value for money, but only if you buy in bulk. Most of the produce is piled high in bowls and sold for £1 a go, which makes it cheap but impossible to spend just a few pounds and buy a wide variety. It is perfect for families but not so good for couples or singles and I think that the real value of the co-op is that it passes down the savings of bulk buying to an individual and allows them to get a wide variety of produce. I also think that by being involved in this I am helping those that really need the scheme to be able to afford to buy fresh produce.
I have ordered both a fruit and vegetable box for next week and am looking forward to seeing what I get and the challenge of finding interesting ways to use it all. I’m very keen on supporting this initiative by the Church (which doesn’t make a profit from the co-op), as it’s a valuable resource for our local community. Find your nearest Co-op here.
Wow, that is great value. What a great find :)
If anyone else is interested in finding your nearest community-run food co-op you can search on-line on our food co-ops finder map by entering your postcode.
Thanks Maresa,
Co-ops are still very new to me but I am already a huge fan, as I firmly believe that it is everyone’s right to be able to afford to eat a healthy diet, sadly I know that this is not always the case. Access to a co-op should be able to make healthy food available to everyone.
that is a really good looking veg box!
and what a great price too…lucky you.
i need something like this in bloomsbury.
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