[ElizabethD]

This is something that is really important to me. I like good quality produce without pesticides. I was discouraged when we first arrived in NZ at the complete lack of reasonably priced organic fruits and vegetables. In fact, I am still amazed at the amount of preservatives and raunchy things in so much of the food here.

However, I stumbled across a flyer in the GP's office for a service that delivers a mix of delicious organic fruits and veggies for a family of four , once a week for $50. It has been a lifesaver for us. We're eating great and actually saving money in my opinion.

The woman who runs it is Lorraine out of Paraparamu. She ships all over the North Island. her business is called "The Organic Connection"
04-298-7377 lorraineupham@xtra.co.nz
Ithink she is offering a great service and finding her helped things look a little brighter when I was so very depressed after we arrived and found my little world shaken up more than I thought it would be....

[Sam B]

Thanks for that, I might look into it. I've noticed there is an organic fruit and veg market twice a week in Tokoroa (where I work) and this seems an unlikely place for this kind of thing, so I'm hoping to discover other such supplies. If I don't, I may get in touch with Lorraine.

I've had organic box deliveries in the UK before, and they always used to get to me in the end, because I have never been a big fan of celeriac, turnips and other lumpy rooty things, and these were the staple of the box all winter. It ended up getting wasteful. Is there any choice about what's in the box?

I agree about the additives in things, it's hard to find things like kids' fruit juice that isn't full of nasty things.

[nippa&pippa]

Do anyone know one in south island??? (christchurch, mainly?)

[Trigirl]

hi elizabeth, i'm glad you are feeling a bit better. its such a shock to the system isn't it. i felt pretty bad at times in my first 2-3 months and i know plenty of others have.

how much fruit/veg do you get for your $50? do they do a veg only option thats cheaper? i'm only asking because thats 1/3 of my total groceries budget for a week and at the moment i can get all our veg for about $12-$15 from the farmers market. now thats only for two of us but even so $50 seems steep. we used to get an organic veg box in the uk from river nene who were great. we didn't get any choice but then i'm happy to experiment with stuff so we normally used up most things.

[ElizabethD]

Thanks for noticing Trigirl--I am doing better--I am adjusting to many things...finding my way as they say. I'm not depressed anymore. I'm liking the adventure and taking everything I can from it . What a glorious sunset over Days Bay.... and it didn't cost me a penny.

it is a really heavy box--I would say about 20 lbs (15 kilos?) You are allowed to ask for three "special" things a week. For example I usually say no potatoes or beets or something like that. You can change your order weekly via email. They were heavy on the apples last week so I told them to hold off this week. So, there is flexibility. Just having the mix of so many things makes me get creative in the kitchen and I cannot stand to waste so if all else fails I'll make a really healthy soup. I did not think it was expensive and the reason i say this is that my weekly food bill which was $200 has come down to around $160 (which includes the box).

[KerryS]

There are other organic companies who run box schemes too. I'm currently using Naturally Organic, who are based north of Auckland in Albany. But have tried a few others too. These are

Sophia - have you tried any of these for info?

http://www.organicpathways.co.nz
http://www.organicsnewzealand.org.nz
http://www.organicfooddirectory.co.nz
http://www.organicmarket.co.nz

[stu70]

This is something that is really important to me. I like good quality produce without pesticides. I was discouraged when we first arrived in NZ at the complete lack of reasonably priced organic fruits and vegetables. In fact, I am still amazed at the amount of preservatives and raunchy things in so much of the food here.

However, I stumbled across a flyer in the GP's office for a service that delivers a mix of delicious organic fruits and veggies for a family of four , once a week for $50. It has been a lifesaver for us. We're eating great and actually saving money in my opinion.

The woman who runs it is Lorraine out of Paraparamu. She ships all over the North Island. her business is called "The Organic Connection"
04-298-7377 lorraineupham@xtra.co.nz
Ithink she is offering a great service and finding her helped things look a little brighter when I was so very depressed after we arrived and found my little world shaken up more than I thought it would be....

Thanks for the info. What a great way to get your supplies!Cheers