Buying fruit and veg online - what's the best way to shop?
We all love the idea of eating a rainbow of fresh fruit and veg, with plant-focused meals in tune with the seasons. And with busy lives, fussy households and unpredictable weeks, the tricks that make it easier to fill up on fresh quality produce are all the more valuable. But what kind of fruit and veg online shopper are you, and what will suit you best?
We look around and see a lot of folks selling convenience in the form of a fruit and veg box, including ourselves of course! But what about choice, variety, waste and flexibility – is buying a produce box really the best way to eat that rainbow every week?
We take you through the difference between buying a fruit and veg box or customising your fruit and veg online delivery, to find the best way to shop for your household.
Spoiler: Often our best advice is don’t buy a fruit and veg box at all!
Style 1 - The Mixed Box. A classic fruit and veg online delivery.
When we started Fair Food in 2010, it wasn’t very common to shop for weekly fruit and veg online, and when you did, a ready-made, mixed fruit and veg box was most commonly sold.
That was how we designed the initial Fair Food range. We had fabulous fresh produce coming in from our network of growers, and to be as efficient and streamlined as possible we simply offered a variety of mixed boxes to suit different households.
Over 14 years later, we’ve grown and changed but we still curate fruit and veg boxes and deliver them Melbourne wide. In fact our range of boxes has expanded because they still make for easy seasonal shopping. We choose the best value and seasonal mixes, posting a weekly guide to What’s In The Box, and leaving our customers to simply select the size and style that suits best.
Who loves fruit and veg boxes most?
– The decision fatigued. We see you, we will deliver tomorrow.
– Lovers of improvisation and creative cooking.
– Value hunters and frugal feasters.
– Curious eaters – our mixed boxes may include new varieties from small local growers.
Style 2 - Keeping it Loose. Choose your own fruit and veg online
Not everyone needs or wants to buy a set box. And you don’t have to! Our online store has a huge range of seasonal fruit and veg (plus groceries and household goods) to choose from. Long gone are the days of relinquishing choice in order to support local farmers and organic producers.
Obsessed with stone fruit and salad? Go all in! On a juice journey? Stock up on carrots and celery! Building your own box often leads to less waste, because you get exactly what you need (no more forgotten bunches of unwanted kale).
This is by far the most common style of shopping with us – customise your order and get exactly what you want.
Benefits of choosing your own selection of fruit and veg:
– Variety, the power is in your hands.
– Less waste means more to enjoy. Don’t succumb to ‘veg box shame’.
– Ideal for meal planners.
– Makes it easier to cater for allergies or picky eaters.
– Celebrate the seasons by getting your fill of every fleeting favourite.
Style 3 - Best of both! Start with a box then add your favourites
Now that we’ve sliced and diced the two key styles of online fruit and veg, there’s no need to put all your eggs in one basket, or rather … all your fruit in one bowl. Why not make the most of the seasons and the convenience of home delivery with a bit of both!
Lots of regular Fair Food shoppers like to start with a simple seasonal fruit and veg box, then customise it by loading it with extras. The best of both worlds, it can be a helpful way to shop simply for the basics and still enjoy all the delicious details you love.
Perhaps an Organic Veg Box with additions of organic strawberries and Royal gala apples. Or a Mini Organic Fruit and Veg Box with extra mandarins (and chocolate) for a week of office snacks. A keen gardener? Grab a seasonal Organic Fruit Box and top up with your favourite veg to complement your homegrown harvest.
Make shopping for quality fruit and veg online work for you.
So there you have it. Our fully home compostable wrap-up to help you shop well online with great value and less waste.
For more waste free tips (for all kinds of shoppers!) check out our comprehensive storage guide to make sure you are keeping (and enjoying) your produce at it’s best. There’s a handy cheatsheet too.
And hit up our recipe collection for cooking inspiration. Our huge archive celebrates the fruit and veg we love with simple, seasonal meals to share.
