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Box deliveries promise local foods, yet how local is it? |
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Not that long ago people use to receive their vegetables, meat and other items delivered by the grocer, local deli, corner store or farmer. In recent years this trend had had a comeback with great vigour - one that I personally support. This being the veggie box (and other items) home delivery.
Most of these box schemes were set up for the sole purpose of supplying fresh, local, organic, free range and even a twist with artisan producers supplying their produce to be included in the box. The main contributing factors in having a box scheme was to support local produce which has been increasing in popularity. Individuals and even businesses have seen this an ideal opportunity to capture this market sector. In some essence many consumers over looked organic produce for the sole purpose, of having local food and what was available in season (this being a key factor - both as a consumer as well as the company). It has been given great support with cookery television programmes, books and chefs sharing their knowledge and encouragement of using local. Of course the mainstream suppliers of produce have also shown support with organic and local by supplying their own lines at the same time selling "locally farmed" produce alongside produce from further a field. This sounds wonderful in concept and in some instances practices - though how sustainable have these businesses been in terms of supporting the actual farmers and/or manufacturers? As a consumer you hope that the promise made by such companies are indeed true. Yet is it really? One area that is often overlooked when meeting sustainable or sustainability goals is traceability. The lifespan of a product or even ingredient from start to end contributes to how efficient and friendly it is on the environment - includes even the handling along the route! It seems to be common within the Eco sector producers - whether they are organic, fair grade or local food either grow too quickly or sell out to the "dark side". It is a shame when the promise and the business ethos is lost to increasing competition, bigger market capture but saying that public are demanding this. The price and hierachy tend to over rule the more ethical aspects of living. Yet will this wealth, positing and even greed help save the planet when we have run out of necessities? As a Consumer would you personally prefer to receive vegetables and produce that have been grown locally and seasonally as promised by your local veggie box supplier or would you mind paying for produce that has been shipped from overseas and by the time you receive it it's mouldy, squashed or generally too hard to eat? Just because it is organic and you must have that vegetable or fruit that is out of season. Not forgetting your box supplier has not told you that the produce is coming from over the seas, and your being led to believe that it is indeed local. Personally I would prefer to have a veggie box full of local and seasonal produce each week or whenever possible at the same time be understanding to the supply routes whether it is the farmer, weather or even petrol costs for example. It doesn't make sense whether it is financial or environmental that produce which has been shipped miles will only end up being wasted will have a unnatural impact on it's new environment. Yet businesses state that consumers want produce to be year round at the same time have to keep up with the demand. Wouldn't it be acceptable to miss a week, saving the consumer and farmer funds and the environment if produce was not ready, yet have good quality produce the weeks after? Least, our own health will improve both from eating fresher and good quality produce at the same time our bodies will become resistant to seasonal bugs and illnesses. As consumers we do the ability to make a change and statement. By having the belief we can make a change; whether by questioning, refusing to buy items or supplies, at the same time question the origin and how it produced will begin to awaken the producers, suppliers and manufacturers to consider and implement traceable methods. Whether it is a petrol company, a well known chocolate company, a leading and respected supplier of organic and local produce (so we are led to believe), to even where you buy your clothes, paint and even electrical and white goods begin to ask questions! |
