20/02/2007

If you want a break from the trolley wars at the supermarket and you can’t get to a farmers’ market or greengrocer, then a local box scheme will deliver all the benefits of freshly-picked fruit and veg right to your doorstep, without you having to lift a spade or a packet of seeds. Here, we pick some of our favourites from around the country:


Damhead Organic, Old Pentland Road, Lothianburn, Edinburgh, 0131 448 2091, www.damhead.co.uk

Sue and James Gerard’s interest in good food led them to start growing their own fruit and veg back in the 80s, and later set up this box scheme from their farm at the foot of the Pentland Hills. Though it’s now a hefty step away from the small concern it started out as, it’s still a family business with a friendly service. The boxes contain a good variety of fresh veg, fruit and herbs, and their shop stocks an even bigger organic and ethical range, including cleaning products and toiletries.

Roots and Fruits, Byres Road, Hillhead, Glasgow, 0141 339 5164, www.rootsandfruits.co.uk

This West-end shop was opened by Garth Gulland in 1988 and has stuck true to its aims, selling super-fresh fruit and veg straight from the grower. It has become something of an institution among locals and has expanded to include a weekly organic box scheme. The range is simple but the price is competitive at £12 for basic veg box.

Bellfield Organic Nursery, Jamesfield Farm, Strathmiglo, near Cupar in Fife, 01738 850 589, order@bellfieldorganics.com, www.bellfield-organics.com

This family-run concern has been delivering organic produce to homes around Fife and beyond for some 25 years, and has been certified by the Scottish Organic Producers Association. Standard fruit and veg boxes can be supplemented with milk, eggs, cheese and bread from the Trusty Crust bakery, plus there’s a regular newsletter with news, information and recipes. The cheapest box is only £10.

Huntly Herbs, Gartly, Huntly, Aberdeenshire, 01466 720 247, huntlyherbs@hotmail.com

Fiona and Fraser Wilson, and their daughter Anna, are responsible for growing more than 100 varieties of herbs, including 18 different types of mint, seven sages and edible flowers, at this organic herb nursery. They also offer pre-packed bags of salad leaves, more than a dozen varieties of potatoes, as well as chutneys, jams and jellies. Though they don’t have a website you can ring your orders through or mail order them from their stall at Banchory, Inverurie, Aberdeen and Inverness farmers' markets.

Macleod Organics, Kylerona Farm, Hillhead, Ardersier, Inverness-shire 01667 462 555

Donnie Macleod once went to jail for his non-GM beliefs and his passion for natural organic food continues with this superior box scheme which delivers to more than 650 addresses in the Highlands, every two weeks. He operates a policy of including any organic vegetables produced from organic farms in the Highlands first – up to 90% comes from Scotland – and then supplements with produce from the rest of Britain. Plus, there’s an enormous range to choose from, besides the fruit and veg, including bacon and beef, biscuits and sweets, coffee and cereals and beers and wines.