Food Box Pros
- Fuss-Free - Letting a provider take the guesswork out of choosing and packing your fresh produce and/or pantry staples not only takes the stress out of shopping it also saves you the effort and time.
- Support Local - Food boxes are a great way of supporting local farmers. Not only is it putting money back into our farmers pockets, you can trust the quality and care of produce isn’t lost when compared to big supermarkets. This stops the over handling of produce between transport, packaging, storage, shelving and so much more at supermarkets.
- Eat Seasonal - Using food boxes is a great approach to promote seasonal eating because they are packed with items that are sourced locally and in season. Supermarkets are never short of imported ingredients, which can make it difficult for customers to distinguish between foods that are in and out of season.
- Variety - Depending on what they have available, food boxes are varied and frequently alter from week to week. The diversity of foods has many benefits for our health, supporting the health of our gut microbiota.
- Reduces Food Waste - Some fruit box and vegetable box services prioritise the use of 'imperfect' fruit & veg that the supermarkets typically throw out based off appearance. This produce is nutritionally sound and therefore by shopping through these services, customers can play an active role in reducing food waste.
Food Box Cons
- Cost - Food box delivery services can be more expensive compared to traditional grocery shopping. The convenience and curated selection of products may come at a higher price point. It's important to consider your budget and evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the service.
- Lack of Choice - If you're someone that likes choice, a food box might not be for you. Providers choose produce based on availability, popularity and seasonality. While there may be options for customisation, you may not have complete control over the specific products or brands included in the box.
- Delivery - You might have to pay a delivery fee depending on where you live and where the company that provides your food box is located. Fortunately, there are numerous food box providers now, so accessibility is not a problem. However, many of these providers still charge a delivery fee.
- No Recipe - If you're hoping to make mealtimes easier, this might come down to your cooking skills. Consider a food box a mystery box, you won’t receive any recipes of guidance - just produce. If you're stuck on what to cook, this might not be the right option for you. Consider a meal kit!