The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Rise in demand for veg box deliveries during lockdown
Since lockdown, the popularity of the humble veg box has exploded among the general population.
New data from food policy organisations Food Foundation, the Banc CSA Network UK and Better Food Traders shows sales of vegetable boxes have increased by 111% in the six weeks between the end of February and midapril.
82% of veg box schemes have waiting lists averaging 160 customers each and 65% prioritising key workers, the vulnerable and those self-isolating.
With an estimated 500 such schemes operating in the UK pre-coronavirus, a total of 3.5 million boxes are likely to have been delivered to households since the beginning of March. If waiting lists could be met, 5.3m boxes could be supplied over the next six weeks.
The highest rate of growth was seen by smaller box schemes supplying up to 300 boxes per week, which grew sales by as much as 134%.
Greengrocer Clementine’s in Dundee delivers boxes throughout the city as well as Newport, Tayport, Arbroath and Carnoustie, and has increased its sales of vegetable boxes from six a week to 60 to 70-a-day during lockdown.
“In the space of around 48 hours we went from 0 to a 100”, said owner Cheryle Sexton.
“I’d just taken over Clementine’s at the tail end of last year and we were getting the shop up and running, and then coronavirus happened. We had to close and switch to doing fruit and vegetable box deliveries only, whereas before that, deliveries were a tiny part of our business.
“It’s been a very busy time, there are only three of us and a Saturday girl, so it’s been all hands on deck.
“Usually the beginning and end of the week are our busiest times, but on the quietest midweek days we do a minimum of 50 deliveries.
“At the start of the lockdown, when things were a bit overwhelming we were prioritising vulnerable people who needed deliveries the most, but now we’re better placed to meet the demand from everybody.”
Some veg box scheme businesses are calling for government support in the form of small grants so they can scale up to meet demand, including increasing staffing levels, improving infrastructure such as polytunnels, delivery vehicles, cold stores and packing houses, as well as buying PPE.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs analysis of farm business income from 2014 to 2017 shows that government subsidy accounted for 10% of the income of horticulture holdings, versus 79% for cereal producers.
Anna Taylor, director of the Food Foundation, said: “In a time of national crisis, fruit and veg producers running box schemes have provided a critical service to their communities.
“We must ensure our agriculture policy helps them get the investment they need as they play a vital role in supporting access to healthy produce as part of a sustainable food and farming system.”
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Usually the beginning and end of the week are our busiest times, but on the quietest midweek days we do a minimum of 50 deliveries.
CHERYLE SEXTON