‘Excellent’ fruit and veg boxes delivered from £11.50
Supermarkets over the past century have subtly moulded our expectations of how fruits and vegetables should look. We’ve been led to believe that red peppers are naturally uniform, cucumbers are always straight, onions are no bigger than a cricket ball, and tomatoes are near-perfect spheres – despite nature’s inclination to differ.
Astonishingly, around 40% of all food produced annually is wasted, with a significant chunk being fruits and vegetables thrown away for not meeting the strict aesthetic standards of supermarkets. However, in an ironic twist, a YouGov survey discovered that a staggering 77% of consumers would willingly purchase and consume produce that doesn’t conform to these traditional standards.
Enter Oddbox, a company striving to shift consumer perceptions towards ‘misshapen’ produce. They aim to cut waste, reduce unnecessary packaging, limit transport emissions, and introduce people to produce they might not typically try – all while ensuring fair prices to support farmers.
Getting started is straightforward, visit their sign-up page, choose from options like only fruits, just veggies or a combination of both, and select either weekly or fortnightly deliveries, with prices starting at £11.49. Deliveries are made overnight to ensure the produce is as fresh as possible, reports North Wales Live.
Oddbox’s latest ‘Not as odd’ initiative is challenging the stringent aesthetic criteria for produce that many supermarkets enforce. Gaston Tourn, Oddbox’s Chief Growth Officer, expressed his opinion: “The food system is broken, and supermarkets are part of the problem. With this campaign, we’re showing that wonky produce isn’t odd – what’s truly odd is a system that values perfection over sustainability and leaves hardworking growers out of pocket.
“At Oddbox, we’re led by growers, the seasons and what’s available. We have a no air-miles policy and always pay our growers fairly. We accept fruit and veg in all shapes and sizes, exactly as nature intended. From bendy-but-delicious asparagus to hail-scarred, juicy apples, we’ve seen it all and that’s exactly what our community loves about us.”
The campaign seems to resonate well with customers, as reflected by Oddbox’s stellar Trustpilot score, boasting over 18,000 reviews with an average rating of 4.5 stars. A satisfied customer commented: “Just brilliant! An inexpensive delivery of a box of fruit weekly on a Wednesday night.”
A second customer enthused about their positive experience: “I never thought I’d enjoy eating fruit so much instead of calorie-filled biscuits and chocolate or cakes. It’s really helping my diet, and the staff at Oddbox are really friendly and helpful. Thought I’d try this out after getting a voucher from my parents, and I’ve never turned back. Been able to plan my meals better and actually eat healthier. Opening the door to a surprise box every Friday is just lovely.”
Yet, one customer pointed out: “Obviously, the fruit and vegetables are less than perfect, but sometimes the vegetables aren’t fresh and can be withered, which I don’t think is very good, especially as the cost isn’t that cheap.”
However, another satisfied reviewer shared: “I have had three Oddboxes so far, and they all have been excellent. What’s not to love? There’s the ability to swap vegetables, efficient deliveries, good quality produce, and ensuring I become more adventurous in cooking again. I cannot find fault at the moment.”
Those looking to dive into the world of ‘wonky’ fruit and veg can sign up for Oddbox by clicking here. If you’re seeking an alternative, Lidl’s Waste Not boxes may tempt you at £1.50 for roughly 5kg of fruit and veg. Meanwhile, Abel and Cole currently offer 50% off your first food order.
