Veg box schemes are popping up everywhere, and it’s easy to see why. Delivered weekly or fortnightly to your doorstep (you can pause if you go on holiday or cancel anytime), these support local independent farms, that deliver freshly harvested produce, cutting out the profits of supermarkets or wholesalers.
Sometimes during ‘hungry gaps’ there may be ship-freighted produce (like oranges or bananas). But overall most boxes contain locally grown (usually organic) produce like tomatoes and greens (plus local fruits like apples and pears).
You just look forward to your seasonal surprise box (you can usually swap things, if you don’t like Brussels sprouts), and then just leave your empty crate out, to be replace by fresh produce the next week, with no plastic packaging.
Some fresh produce like onions, garlic and some fruits are not safe near animal friends, so ask for boxes to be delivered to a safe place (like a shed or garage) if you live with pets.
Just bin allium scraps (onion, garlic, scallions, chives, leeks) along with rhubarb and citrus scraps, as the acids may harm compost creatures.
Farmers need a government license to sell to the public (also buy liability insurance). Know food hygiene rules and read up on food safety for people and pets.
If selling flowers and plants, learn about pet-safe gardens, to educate customers. Never face indoor foliage to gardens, to help stop bird strikes.
Abel & Cole Organic Fruit and Veg Boxes
There is a moment of joy when a box of seasonal fruit and veg lands at your door. The lid opens, the scent of earth and orchard rises, and dinner starts to plan itself. That is the simple pull of Abel & Cole, a business delivering organic boxes since 1998.
Abel & Cole shines for its links with local farmers and its care for the planet. The boxes change with the seasons, the packaging cuts waste, and the prices paid help growers thrive. It is a weekly nudge towards better cooking, less plastic, and food that tastes like it should.
Before cooking, read our post on food safety for people and pets (keep onion, garlic etc away from animal friends). Some organic flowers (including all bulbs) are not safe near animals (read our post on pet-friendly gardens). Never face indoor plants to face gardens, to help stop birds flying into windows.
It’s also best to bin allium scraps (onion, garlic, leeks, shallots, chives) and citrus/rhubarb scraps, as acids could harm compost creatures.
Benefits of Organic Fruit and Veg Boxes
Weekly seasonal deliveries bring food at its peak. Strawberries in summer taste like summer, and roots in winter roast to a sweet finish. When produce arrives in its season, it travels less and holds more flavour. Your fridge gets food that is ready to eat, not picked early for a long trip.
Buying a box also backs local organic farmers. Abel & Cole pays fair prices, often agreeing volumes ahead of time. That security helps small farms plan crops and invest in soil health. In return, you get better veg from people who care. It is a clean loop, fair pay for real quality.
Packaging is light and simple. Boxes are recycled and recyclable, and there is no pointless plastic wrap. Glass bottles for add-ons can be returned, which keeps waste low at home. When there is surplus produce, much of it goes to community partners, so good food does not end up in the bin.
The environmental gains run deeper. The service focuses on British produce where possible, and it avoids air freight for overseas items. Imports like bananas and citrus are moved by boat when sourced, which cuts emissions. You will not see flown-in asparagus in the dead of winter, which is good for the planet and your plate.
How does this compare to a supermarket? Organic means no synthetic pesticides and no GM, so you get fewer residues and cleaner food. Many studies show organic fruit and veg can carry higher levels of antioxidants. That can support better long-term health. Taste is a daily win too. A simple apple can be crisp, sweet, and perfumed, not bland and mealy. Carrots roast with a caramel edge, and tomatoes need only a pinch of salt.
Do you worry about chemicals in food? An organic box keeps that worry low. You cook with confidence, and your children eat veg that is grown with care.
Support Local Farmers with Fair Trade Practices
- Fair pay: Abel & Cole pays growers a fair, agreed price, not a price squeezed at the last minute.
- British first: Boxes feature British-grown produce when in season, which means shorter supply chains.
- Quality cycle: Steady income lets farmers build soil health, grow better varieties, and harvest at the right time.
- Community link: Surplus produce is donated through charity partners, so fields feed families, not landfill.
Go Plastic-Free and Reduce Waste
- Eco boxes: Sturdy cardboard, made from recycled materials.
- No plastic wrap: Loose, fresh items, not smothered in plastic film.
- Returnables: Glass bottles for milk or oat milk can go back on your doorstep, which keeps your recycling pile small.
- Low footprint: Less packaging weight cuts transport impacts.
Choose Healthier Options Free from Pesticides
- Fewer residues: Organic farming avoids synthetic pesticides.
- Better for families: Parents can serve fruit and veg with less worry.
- Nutrition edge: Organic produce often shows higher antioxidants, especially in berries and leafy greens.
- Taste and texture: Slower, seasonal growth gives richer flavour and a better bite.
Explore the Range of Box Options
There is a box for most homes and habits. Standard fruit and veg boxes cover the basics for small households or busy families. You can pick fruit-only, veg-only, or mixed, with sizes to match your routine. The rhythm is weekly, which suits meal planning and keeps the fridge fresh.
The contents change with the seasons. You might get crisp apples, sweet pears, earthy beetroot, or a bright salad mix. When a crop is short or in glut, the box shifts to match. That is part of the charm. You cook with what is good now, not what sits on a shelf.
Add a Plastic Pick-up Bag to your order then just rinse and dry any soft plastic packaging (from any retailer) then just seal and it will be collected with your empty veg box, for recycling.
Everything is delivered in plastic-free packaging, just leave your box out one week, f
Here is a quick look at how contents can vary through the year.
- Spring (new potatoes, asparagus, spring greens, rhubarb)
- Summer (strawberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, courgettes)
- Autumn (apples, pears, squash, kale)
- Winter (parsnips, carrots, leeks, cabbage)
Seasonal Boxes Packed with British Produce
Choose British-led boxes for a lower carbon footprint. Summer brings berries from UK fields, soft lettuce, and vine tomatoes. Autumn moves to orchard fruit, squash, and hardy greens. Winter leans on roots, leeks, and cabbage that shine in soups and roasts. There is even a British-only box for a strict local focus, which keeps your meals aligned with the home season.
Tailor Your Box: Veg-Only or Salad Specials
If fruit piles up at home, go for veg-only. You will get a core mix for cooking, like onions, carrots, and seasonal greens, plus a highlight item, such as purple sprouting broccoli. For quick lunches, salad boxes are a gift. Think leaves, cucumbers, tomatoes, radishes, and herbs, ready to toss with olive oil and lemon. You can mix and match across the range. Exotic items are kept sensible, and nothing is flown in just for show.
Add Eco-Friendly Extras Like Organic Oat Milk
Round out your shop with add-ons. Organic oat milk in returnable glass is a smart pick, easy to pour and kinder to the planet. Pop the empty bottle back in your empty box, and it will be collected on your next delivery. You can add sourdough bread, plant-based yoghurt, or fairtrade bananas moved by sea. It is an easy way to keep more of your shop organic without a separate trip.
Make the Switch from Supermarkets
Starting is simple. Pick a box, choose your delivery day, and add any extras you like. The website is clear, with options to pause, skip, or change your box each week. The delivery arrives while you work, which saves time and fuel. No more standing under bright lights staring at tired lettuce.
Against supermarket veg, the difference shows. You get cleaner produce with fewer residues, real flavour, and a smaller footprint. The price reflects that quality and the fair pay behind it. When a carrot tastes sweet and roasts to a crisp edge, you use every last one. Waste drops, meals improve, and the weekly shop makes sense again.
If you are new to a veg box, plan a few easy dishes. Roast roots with garlic and thyme. Make a pan of tomato and lentil soup. Toss a fast salad with lemon and olive oil. Add stir-fry greens with ginger. Simple wins, fresh food, no stress.
Convenient Weekly Deliveries to Your Door
- Flexible subscription: Pause for holidays, skip a week, or change box size.
- Reliable coverage: Delivery reaches most of the UK, with clear time windows.
- No waiting: Orders arrive on your chosen day, even if you are not home.
Better Value and Taste Than Supermarket Buys
- Quality you can taste: Fresher produce lasts longer and tastes better, which reduces waste.
- Ethical value: Your spend supports organic farms and lower-impact transport.
- Happy customers: Many stick with their box for years because the food stays good and the service stays fair.
Conclusion
Abel & Cole organic fruit and veg boxes bring fresh seasonal food to your door, back local farmers with fair pay, and cut waste with smart packaging. You get cleaner produce with fewer residues, strong flavour, and a weekly push towards healthy meals. If you want a simpler, greener shop, this is a clear step.
Start with a box that fits your home, add a few extras, and plan two or three easy recipes. Sign up for recipes and tips to make the most of each delivery. Small changes add up, and this one tastes great. Ready to eat better next week? Order your first box today.
How Veg Box Schemes Work
Signing up is simple. Just choose a box size that fits with your household, from single to larger families. Most let you choose things to replace, if there is something you don’t like. A few also offer other options like fresh bread.
You usually order online, then on the day of harvest, the boxes are delivered to your door. Some offer ‘collection points’ instead, which saves money on delivery costs.
Most boxes are seasonal surprises to use up what’s growing. But a few let you ‘build a box’. But the idea is that you learn to cook with what arrives (many offer recipe ideas inside the box, for whatever is being delivered).
Environmental Impact of Veg Boxes
Most veg boxes source from nearby farmers, so there are low or no food miles, this means little oil (no lorries thundering down streets to supermarket central distribution houses etc).
Plus there is no plastic (made from oil) so no litter. And as you only order what you need (say a single box for solo cooks), there’s no waste.
Supporting Local Farmers and Communities
Local veg box schemes support local farmers, so your payment is going direct to the people who grow and harvest the food, rather than supermarkets that take a huge chunk of the profits.
Supporting locally-created jobs (run by locally-owned firms) also helps keep money circulating in local economies. A local farmer is more likely to use local suppliers to mend machinery, write signs and fund services (from insurance to vehicle maintenance).
Health and Freshness
Produce in box schemes is usually delivered within hours (or days at the most) of harvest. Not only does this taste better, but it lasts longer, and is cheaper as food is in season.
Ever bought rock-hard pears from supermarkets? That’s because most are frozen before ripe, then kept in central distribution house fridges, before being shipped to the shelves. If you want a fresh juicy ripe peach or pear, try a veg box!
Types of Veg Box Schemes
Organic veg boxes focus on certified organic produce, grown without synthetic chemicals or pesticides. These often cost a bit more but appeal if you want to avoid additives. Many small farms are organic, but due to not being able to afford the certification schemes (like Soil Association), they may not carry official symbols.
Seasonal boxes change contents based on what’s being picked that week. Expect wild garlic in spring or squash in autumn, so mealtimes stay interesting.
Specialist boxes cater for diets like vegan or gluten-free. This lets you buy everything from bread to groceries, at the same time as your local veggies.
Get the Most out of Veg Boxes
- Prep as soon as the box arrives. Wash greens, chop roots, and store each item, to keep them fresh.
- Plan meals around what’s inside. Look up easy recipes for any veg that’s new to you.
- Swap or gift veg you won’t use. Neighbours or friends might be happy to take a courgette or two.
- Store produce properly. Keep greens in the fridge, roots somewhere cool and dark, and tomatoes at room temperature.
- Try a ‘use-it-up’ night. Soup, stir-fry, or roasted trays can use odds and ends before the next box lands.
Some Good Local Veg Box Schemes
Here are some good examples of well-run schemes. Enter your postcode to find a local organic veg box scheme.
Kentish Town Veg Box (London) offers organic food from small-scale farms, delivered to residents in Camden and Islington. Farmers get 60% of each pound spent (compared to 10% in supermarkets). There is also a low-income discount for people who need it.
Growing Communities (Hackney) offers organic veg bags from £10 a week (with discounts for pensioners and Healthy Start Vouchers), with pick-up points (some offer fresh bread) to keep costs low.
Paying in advance means every £1 spent generates £3.70 for local organic farmers, who all sell in plastic-free packaging). Its Better Food Shed sells to shops, schools and community kitchens.
Cambridge Organic is England’s oldest veg box, situated in the fertile Fens, where nearly all of England’s food is grown. Delivery is kept local to keep food miles low, with no plans to becoming a national box scheme.
A Nationwide Organic Veg Box Scheme
If you don’t live near a local organic veg box, Abel & Cole offers a nationwide one that also delivers organic plant milks in glass bottles, to be collected and washed. It also delivers fresh herbs and organic flowers. .
The One Box, One Portion scheme means that for every box ordered, they donate a portion of fruit or veg to charity. The boxes include:
- Organic Best of British – seasonal plums, rhubarb and British apples
- Small, Medium or Large Boxes
- Christmas veg boxes (carrots, onions, Brussels sprouts, parsnips)
- Fruit bowl & juicing boxes
- Seasonal Salads
Abel & Cole’s organic fruit and veg box is delivered to your home each week (you can pause if you go on holiday), packed with seasonal goodies, in a returnable cardboard box.
Each week, you receive 8 portions of seasonal organic vegetables and three portions of organic fruits. A typical large box will feed 3 to 5 people.
As well as the staples (potatoes and onions), you’ll receive leafy greens and seasonal stars, depending on what is being harvested that week. You can add swaps if there’s something you don’t like, just tick the box to receive seasonal alternatives.
For each box sold, Abel & Cole will donate a portion of fresh nutritious fruit and veg to someone in need, via food charity partners. Most items are from England. For anything sourced from abroad (like oranges or bananas), they are shipped, not air-freighted.
A typical box includes:
- Apples
- Beetroot
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Leeks
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Tomatoes
- Oranges
- Bananas
A British Organic Veg Box
Or there’s a British organic veg box, if you prefer. A typical box contains enough to feed 2 to 3 people for a week and includes:
- Brussels sprouts
- Carrots
- Chestnut mushroom
- Leeks
- Purple sprouting broccoli
- Red potatoes
- Swede
Veg Boxes That Use Up Food Waste
Veg boxes have changed the way many people shop for fresh food. Gone are the days where only perfect-looking carrots or apples made it to the table. Today, veg boxes that fight food waste put taste, sustainability and fresh produce at the heart of what they do.
These boxes pick fruit and veg that supermarkets often reject because it doesn’t look right, wonky or oddly shaped, but still tastes delicious. With more people wanting to reduce food waste, these unique veg box schemes are making a real difference.
Food campaigner and chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is not impressed by ‘supermarket wonky produce’. Often it’s the supermarkets themselves that are rejecting ‘imperfect produce’ that means so much of it goes to waste. It then tries to sell the wonky leftovers for more profits.
Despite being a food waste champ, Hugh admits he has a guilty secret. Unlike his wife who will eat the whole apple including the core, he can’t.
He says she can bite off the ends and the middle to leave a tiny stalk, but he is still left with a ‘pencil-sized core!’
Earth and Wheat is a one-stop wonky food market, that sells wonky fresh produce and bread, that would otherwise go to landfill. The grocery store has vegan options, and the bread is suitable for freezing. Produce that arrives here has been ‘rejected’ due to being:
- Too big
- Too long
- Too many
- Wrong colour
- Blemished
- Wonky
- Too thin
So far this company has rescued over 600 tonnes of food waste. A typical box could contain 1.5kg of fresh baked goods (5 different breads) and up to 5kg of fresh wonky veggies. For instance:
Crumpets, tortilla wraps, folded flatbreads, pitta and naan, plus white potatoes, red onions, peppers, cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli.
Wonky Veg Boxes put ‘imperfect’ vegetables in the spotlight. Working with British farms, they pick fruit and veg that would have been rejected by shops for not looking quite right. Box contents change weekly and often include carrots, parsnips, potatoes and apples with odd shapes or little scars.
By buying a box, families get a mix of seasonal veg that’s just as tasty as standard produce. Wonky Veg Boxes aim to help small farmers by buying what they grow and cutting waste on the land. With box sizes for solo eaters or big families, there’s a plan for everyone.
Oddbox takes on surplus or misshapen fruit and veg that supermarkets won’t accept. Working with British growers and importers, they focus their deliveries in London and several other UK cities.
Oddbox sends a fresh box each week, filled with whatever was most at risk of being wasted. It could be twisted cucumbers, double carrots or apples that are too small.
Boxes include notes about the farmers and why each crop needed rescuing. Oddbox also donates a portion of the surplus to local charities, so nothing goes to waste. Their service helps reduce carbon impact and supports growers who might otherwise throw away unsold produce.
A Guide to Organic Veg Boxes in London
We have a post already on the advantages of joining organic veg boxes. Getting organic fruit and vegetables delivered in London has never been easier. As more people want to eat healthy food grown without chemicals, organic veg boxes have become a top choice. They offer straight-from-the-farm produce, flexible delivery, and support for local growers.
Wondering if they’re for you? This guide covers the best organic veg boxes in London, how they work, and why signing up is a smart move.
Leave boxes in a safe place away from pets (due to onion/garlic/leeks), read more on food safety for people and pets. Just bin allium scraps (garlic, onion, leeks, shallots, chives) and citrus/rhubarb scraps, as acids could harm compost creatures.
If ordering plants or flowers, read about pet-friendly gardens (includes flowers to avoid near animal friends) and wildlife-friendly gardens. Never face indoor foliage to gardens, to help stop bird strikes.
Farmers need a government license to sell at markets (also buy liability insurance). Know food hygiene rules.
Abel & Cole Organic Fruit and Veg Boxes
There is a moment of joy when a box of seasonal fruit and veg lands at your door. The lid opens, the scent of earth and orchard rises, and dinner starts to plan itself. That is the simple pull of Abel & Cole, a business delivering organic boxes since 1998.
Abel & Cole shines for its links with local farmers and its care for the planet. The boxes change with the seasons, the packaging cuts waste, and the prices paid help growers thrive. It is a weekly nudge towards better cooking, less plastic, and food that tastes like it should.
Before cooking, read our post on food safety for people and pets (keep onion, garlic etc away from animal friends). Some organic flowers (including all bulbs) are not safe near animals (read our post on pet-friendly gardens). Never face indoor plants to face gardens, to help stop birds flying into windows.
It’s also best to bin allium scraps (onion, garlic, leeks, shallots, chives) and citrus/rhubarb scraps, as acids could harm compost creatures.
Benefits of Organic Fruit and Veg Boxes
Weekly seasonal deliveries bring food at its peak. Strawberries in summer taste like summer, and roots in winter roast to a sweet finish. When produce arrives in its season, it travels less and holds more flavour. Your fridge gets food that is ready to eat, not picked early for a long trip.
Buying a box also backs local organic farmers. Abel & Cole pays fair prices, often agreeing volumes ahead of time. That security helps small farms plan crops and invest in soil health. In return, you get better veg from people who care. It is a clean loop, fair pay for real quality.
Packaging is light and simple. Boxes are recycled and recyclable, and there is no pointless plastic wrap. Glass bottles for add-ons can be returned, which keeps waste low at home. When there is surplus produce, much of it goes to community partners, so good food does not end up in the bin.
The environmental gains run deeper. The service focuses on British produce where possible, and it avoids air freight for overseas items. Imports like bananas and citrus are moved by boat when sourced, which cuts emissions. You will not see flown-in asparagus in the dead of winter, which is good for the planet and your plate.
How does this compare to a supermarket? Organic means no synthetic pesticides and no GM, so you get fewer residues and cleaner food. Many studies show organic fruit and veg can carry higher levels of antioxidants. That can support better long-term health. Taste is a daily win too. A simple apple can be crisp, sweet, and perfumed, not bland and mealy. Carrots roast with a caramel edge, and tomatoes need only a pinch of salt.
Do you worry about chemicals in food? An organic box keeps that worry low. You cook with confidence, and your children eat veg that is grown with care.
Support Local Farmers with Fair Trade Practices
- Fair pay: Abel & Cole pays growers a fair, agreed price, not a price squeezed at the last minute.
- British first: Boxes feature British-grown produce when in season, which means shorter supply chains.
- Quality cycle: Steady income lets farmers build soil health, grow better varieties, and harvest at the right time.
- Community link: Surplus produce is donated through charity partners, so fields feed families, not landfill.
Go Plastic-Free and Reduce Waste
- Eco boxes: Sturdy cardboard, made from recycled materials.
- No plastic wrap: Loose, fresh items, not smothered in plastic film.
- Returnables: Glass bottles for milk or oat milk can go back on your doorstep, which keeps your recycling pile small.
- Low footprint: Less packaging weight cuts transport impacts.
Choose Healthier Options Free from Pesticides
- Fewer residues: Organic farming avoids synthetic pesticides.
- Better for families: Parents can serve fruit and veg with less worry.
- Nutrition edge: Organic produce often shows higher antioxidants, especially in berries and leafy greens.
- Taste and texture: Slower, seasonal growth gives richer flavour and a better bite.
Explore the Range of Box Options
There is a box for most homes and habits. Standard fruit and veg boxes cover the basics for small households or busy families. You can pick fruit-only, veg-only, or mixed, with sizes to match your routine. The rhythm is weekly, which suits meal planning and keeps the fridge fresh.
The contents change with the seasons. You might get crisp apples, sweet pears, earthy beetroot, or a bright salad mix. When a crop is short or in glut, the box shifts to match. That is part of the charm. You cook with what is good now, not what sits on a shelf.
Add a Plastic Pick-up Bag to your order then just rinse and dry any soft plastic packaging (from any retailer) then just seal and it will be collected with your empty veg box, for recycling.
Everything is delivered in plastic-free packaging, just leave your box out one week, f
Here is a quick look at how contents can vary through the year.
- Spring (new potatoes, asparagus, spring greens, rhubarb)
- Summer (strawberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, courgettes)
- Autumn (apples, pears, squash, kale)
- Winter (parsnips, carrots, leeks, cabbage)
Seasonal Boxes Packed with British Produce
Choose British-led boxes for a lower carbon footprint. Summer brings berries from UK fields, soft lettuce, and vine tomatoes. Autumn moves to orchard fruit, squash, and hardy greens. Winter leans on roots, leeks, and cabbage that shine in soups and roasts. There is even a British-only box for a strict local focus, which keeps your meals aligned with the home season.
Tailor Your Box: Veg-Only or Salad Specials
If fruit piles up at home, go for veg-only. You will get a core mix for cooking, like onions, carrots, and seasonal greens, plus a highlight item, such as purple sprouting broccoli. For quick lunches, salad boxes are a gift. Think leaves, cucumbers, tomatoes, radishes, and herbs, ready to toss with olive oil and lemon. You can mix and match across the range. Exotic items are kept sensible, and nothing is flown in just for show.
Add Eco-Friendly Extras Like Organic Oat Milk
Round out your shop with add-ons. Organic oat milk in returnable glass is a smart pick, easy to pour and kinder to the planet. Pop the empty bottle back in your empty box, and it will be collected on your next delivery. You can add sourdough bread, plant-based yoghurt, or fairtrade bananas moved by sea. It is an easy way to keep more of your shop organic without a separate trip.
Make the Switch from Supermarkets
Starting is simple. Pick a box, choose your delivery day, and add any extras you like. The website is clear, with options to pause, skip, or change your box each week. The delivery arrives while you work, which saves time and fuel. No more standing under bright lights staring at tired lettuce.
Against supermarket veg, the difference shows. You get cleaner produce with fewer residues, real flavour, and a smaller footprint. The price reflects that quality and the fair pay behind it. When a carrot tastes sweet and roasts to a crisp edge, you use every last one. Waste drops, meals improve, and the weekly shop makes sense again.
If you are new to a veg box, plan a few easy dishes. Roast roots with garlic and thyme. Make a pan of tomato and lentil soup. Toss a fast salad with lemon and olive oil. Add stir-fry greens with ginger. Simple wins, fresh food, no stress.
Convenient Weekly Deliveries to Your Door
- Flexible subscription: Pause for holidays, skip a week, or change box size.
- Reliable coverage: Delivery reaches most of the UK, with clear time windows.
- No waiting: Orders arrive on your chosen day, even if you are not home.
Better Value and Taste Than Supermarket Buys
- Quality you can taste: Fresher produce lasts longer and tastes better, which reduces waste.
- Ethical value: Your spend supports organic farms and lower-impact transport.
- Happy customers: Many stick with their box for years because the food stays good and the service stays fair.
Conclusion
Abel & Cole organic fruit and veg boxes bring fresh seasonal food to your door, back local farmers with fair pay, and cut waste with smart packaging. You get cleaner produce with fewer residues, strong flavour, and a weekly push towards healthy meals. If you want a simpler, greener shop, this is a clear step.
Start with a box that fits your home, add a few extras, and plan two or three easy recipes. Sign up for recipes and tips to make the most of each delivery. Small changes add up, and this one tastes great. Ready to eat better next week? Order your first box today.
Why Choose an Organic Veg Box?
Organic veg boxes are good for your health and the planet. Organic farming avoids harsh chemicals and supports soil health, so your fruit and veg are naturally grown and kinder to the earth. Buying a box from UK farmers cuts food miles and supports rural jobs.
With the range of box sizes and flexible deliveries, there’s little waste, and you can skip or pause any week. Many providers pack with little or no plastic, cutting back on landfill. You also get to enjoy flavour-packed veg picked at its best.
How Do Veg Boxes Work?
Most services let you pick a box size and type, then deliver it weekly or fortnightly. Some allow you to add extras, like free-range eggs or bread. You usually set up an online account, pick your plan, and update it as you go. If you’re away, most boxes let you pause or skip weeks.
Some require collection from a local hub, but most now offer doorstep delivery across London. Payments are charged per box at the time of delivery, so there’s no big upfront cost.
Reasons to Use a Veg Box
Veg boxes save time and offer better quality than supermarket fruit and veg. You support local growers, try a wider range of food, and eat more in tune with the seasons. Most come with recipe ideas, so meals stay exciting.
No more forgotten veg bags at the back of the fridge—everything is fresh, tasty, and ready to use. Boxes help make home cooking easier, healthier, and eco-friendly without hassle.
Abel & Cole
Abel & Cole has been delivering organic food for over 30 years. Their weekly veg boxes let you pick from classic, seasonal, or custom options. All their produce meets strict organic standards, and they work with small farms across the UK.
You can add bread, Rerooted organic oat drink or fruit with just a click. Abel & Cole is known for eco-friendly packaging and a skip-anytime policy, so you’re never locked in. Deliveries run across London, making it easy to get quality organics right to your door.
Growing Communities (with pick-up points)
Broccoli and Pea Soup (The Veg Space)
Growing Communities is a fantastic veg box scheme for people living in East London (Hackney, Haringey, Bethnal Green and Bow) or South London (Brixton, Herne Hill, Peckham, Dulwich and Forest Hill). Everything here is designed to be super-affordable (boxes start from £10) and they use pick-up points to keep prices low, if wished.
You can pause deliveries if you go on holiday, and your purchase helps to support local farmers within a 50 mile radius. As a comparison, most major supermarkets ferry produce (even from local farmers) hundreds of miles to central distribution houses, then ferries them back again (which also cause more fossil fuels and road traffic).
Each £1 you spend with Growing Communities generates £3.70 of value for you, your farmers and your planet. That’s a triple-win! And this social enterprise ends up creating a more resilient food system that is not knocked by ‘shocks to the system’ like rising oil prices, due to turbulent politics.
Farmers working with Growing Communities receive 50% of the price you pay – that’s three times more than most supermarkets pay. And as an organic farm, there’s a lot more wildlife to pollinate the food, and enjoy a few freebies for themselves!
There are various veg bags to choose from. There are small and large bags, fruit-only bags and ones without potatoes (who doesn’t want spuds?!) There are also 30 collection points, kindly hosted by local community and business hubs. It also offers wholesale produce for local shops, schools, restaurants and hotels.
Growing Communities also works with Hackney Food Bank where you can donate the value of your veg box, if you go away (rather than pause the delivery). So far, this has raised £75,000 of free food for local people (demand for food has recently surged by 75%).
As many food banks can’t accept fresh food due to lack of fridges and space, the produce donated is more root veggies and apples, over salad so it lasts longer in the warehouse.
Sutton Community Farm (Also for Surrey)
Vegan leek potato soup (Full of Plants)
Sutton Community Farm is the ideal switch, to ‘cook your way to happiness’, delivering fresh organic fruit and veg to households in South London and Surrey. As well as being good for you, the soil and native wildlife, buying your fresh produce here supports local farmers, and keeps money circulating in local economies.
Started by a local environmental charity, today this community interest company delivers over 500 Veg boxes each week, growing over 15 tones of fresh veggies each year. Around 80 volunteers also help out, ensuring that food miles are kept local and organic, providing affordable good food to all.
You can order a box each week (and exclude up to three veggies if you really don’t like Brussels sprouts – why not?!) and you can also donate veg to local causes, to help those in food poverty.
The food is grown on a seven acre site in South London (in the Sutton borough) using open fields and polytunnels. Any food not sourced from here is as local as possible (unless you are ordering bananas!)
Annual crops are mostly grown along with fruit trees and buses, and in summer there are flowers for sale.
An Agroecological Farm (what?!)
Sutton Community Farm runs on agroecology principles, which basically is a fancy word for combining ecology and agriculture. This farm has no livestock, instead focusing on growing organic fruits and veggies, without artificial chemicals that cause run-off (a big cause of sewage pollution, so much in the news today).
Instead, these farmers use crop rotation (planting different crops each year). This works a bit like avoiding the same antibiotics, by keeping soil healthy through adding organic matter and growing green manures. Good soil means good food!
This also encourages wildlife pollinators like bees, butterflies and bats, healthy insect populations and helps restore habitats for native wildlife. There are also ponds to help restore habitats for frogs and dragonflies (both are ideal to eat up unwanted guests, without chemicals).
Humans are looked after too (!) with good wages and care.
Over 40 Fruits and Vegetables!
Choose from over 40 types of fruits and vegetables, delivered in reusable jute bags and cardboard punnets, which can be returned the next week. You can order for home delivery, or pick-up-points means food is more affordable, as it saves vans having to drive around delivering to different homes.
There are many types of boxes to choose from (small to large, just fruit or mixed boxes). A typical box may include locally-grown:
- Leeks
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Cauliflower
- Squash
- Pears
- Plums
Organic Veg Boxes for Kentish Town)
Kentish Town Veg Box is an organic box scheme in London, run for and by the local community. It aims to offer affordable veg bags (with optional fruits like rhubarb) in a variety of different sizes bags. Surplus profits are reinvested.
This produce is affordable. It may not be as cheap as supermarket produce, but that’s because their farmers receive around 60% of each pound spent, rather than 10% like most that have to sell to big stores.
Bags contain the basics (onions, carrots, mushrooms etc) along with various other veg, depending on the bag chosen. You can collect from pick-up points (more affordable) or choose to have home delivery, for a small surcharge.
A typical bag will contain:
- Onions
- Rainbow carrots
- Kale and Cavolo Nero
- Aubergines (grown in Kent, not Spain!)
- Lettuce
- Purple-sprouting broccoli
- Savoy cabbage
- Basil (from London, not Italy!)
- French beans
You can can also choose to donate to its solidary fund, which gives discounts on bags to people on low incomes. Camden and Islington now have some of the highest inequality in income in England. So with the cost of living crisis, donations are very much appreciated.
Riverford Farmers (also nationwide)
Riverford delivers organic fruit and veg from their family-run farms straight to London homes, and nationwide (just enter your postcode). Their boxes come in different sizes, with set or seasonal options, and you can add extras like salad or bread.
Riverford stands out for their strict commitment to organic farming and farm-fresh taste. All produce is picked to order, often delivered within 48 hours of harvest. They don’t tie you into a contract—pause anytime or skip a week if you’re away.
This company is at the forefront of a nationwide campaign, to ensure that farmers get fair prices for the food they sell to supermarkets (and don’t get shafted by cancelling orders at the last minute etc).
The Food Assembly (community hubs)
The Food Assembly is a community-led service linking customers with local farmers. Order your organic veg box online, then collect it from a nearby pick-up point or have it delivered, depending on the location. You can open an assembly at a local community hall or school, and food is delivered to a local collection point.
Everything is grown or made by small producers around your area, so by ordering, you help support independent growers. Products change weekly based on what’s in season, making it a great way to try something new and keep meals exciting.
Oddbox (not organic, but wonky!)
Oddbox isn’t always organic, but rescues ‘wonky’ fruit and veg that shops reject. From dinky apples to curvy courgettes, everything is delivered in plastic-free packaging and regular donations to charity, for each order. Pricing is clear and there’s no fuss, if you wish to pause deliveries.
Every week, you get a surprise box of organic picks, all grown locally or from nearby farms in Europe. Their service focuses on sustainability, with plastic-free packaging. Now nationwide, delivery is overnight, so you can wake up to fresh veg on your doorstep!
