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The Story of our Veg Box Scheme
Countryfile Article about Veg Bo
xes
The Northwood Vegetable Box Scheme was started in 1991 with box scheme pioneers Tim & Jan Deane. Tim & Jan were supplying their own organic vegetables boxes to the Teign Valley and some areas of Exeter. In 2000 Tim & Jan joined forces with Martyn Bragg and The Northwood & Barton Box Scheme started.
In 2004 Tim took on a role as part-time technical advisor for the Soil Association thus had less time for growing. It was at this point the business rebranded as Shillingford Organics Box Scheme. The ethics and ideals behind Shillingford Organics are still based on those developed by Tim & Jan. They also inspired many small organic farms from all over the country to set up their own box schemes.
The Barton
Shillingford Organics is located on the outskirts of Shillingford Abbot, a small village just three miles west of Exeter. Set in a sheltered valley between Alphington and the Haldon hills, the 350 acre farm's rich Devon red soil is perfect for growing arable and horticultural crops and has been fully organic since 2002. Twenty acres, including four polytunnels, are dedicated to growing organic vegetables for the box scheme.
Martyn Bragg is the second generation of the family to farm here and has a young family of his own and wants them to grow up understanding where their food comes from knowing that it is produced without the use of artificial chemicals or fertilisers.
The farm is in Defra's Countryside Stewardship scheme, which sets out environmental objectives to enhance and conserve wildlife in the area. Martyn also processes some of Exeter's greenwaste material, which is composted on the farm in giant 1000 tonne heaps, eventually becoming a valuable soil conditioner, adding humus and moisture retaining qualities to the characteristic sandy red soil.
Vegetable Boxes - A vegetable box creates a direct relationship between us as growers and you as customers and encompasses more than just the aspect of trade. It gives us a predictable income, but also allows us to grow and sell our produce in a way that does not compromise organic principles and gives us the satisfaction of a sense of community and knowing that the crops we have cared for are going to good homes.
For you it means good fresh produce of a flavour which has been proved to encourage even children to eat vegetables. It also allows you some sense of connection with the source of your food, and the knowledge that you are not underwriting a wasteful and destructive system of transportation.
The Benefits of Organic Farming
Growing organically is a strictly regulated way of producing crops without using artificial pesticides or fertilisers. Organic farmers must be certified with recognisable authorities who conduct checks on all their procedures. We believe that food grown organically is better for the health of people and the environment and, more importantly, is a sustainable method of food production. To find out more visit the website of our certification body, the Soil Association.
Week 20 - Deliveries
Exeter Area 17 May 12
Teign Valley 18 May 12
Boxes this week will
contain items from
the selection below:
Potatoes
Carrots
Onions
Lettuce
Swiss Chard
Rhubarb or Mushrooms
Chinese Cabbage, Cauliflower or Spring Greens
Pink Radish
Giant Sugar Peas or Broad Beans (not mini)
Carrots are in short supply and are from
Scotland via Riverford Organics until
further notice - apologies!
NB: Due to availabilty box contents may vary
The boxes may not always contain the same number of items as shown in the list. However, this is more likely to apply to the mini and small boxes
Make up crops may vary from the list !
