The Real Cost of Cheap Food: Why I Choose Organic Veg Boxes from Riverford

Every season, I look forward to the ingredients in our Riverford boxes. As we transition into autumn, the variety of organic fruit and veg becomes truly bountiful—a testament to nature’s growth and the human labour invested through spring and summer.

This week, we received our first prince crown squash of the year, and I felt genuinely excited at the prospect of cooking with it. Its smooth, greenish-grey skin and vibrant orange-gold flesh delighted my senses. I slowed down to feel the contours of its skin, taking in the fullness of its weight. As I cut it into chunks, I paused to inhale its warm, sweet, nutty aroma—feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude in that moment.

Having now enjoyed it in a delicious curry, I feel grateful not only for the wholesome food on my plate, but also mindful of the broader picture. It frustrates me that so much of the food sold in large supermarkets is produced in ways that harm our planet, damage ecosystems, and jeopardise human health.

Yes, some say Riverford is expensive—but what is the real cost of cheap food?

"The true cost of cheap, unhealthy food is a spiralling public health crisis and environmental destruction," said a high-level commission. "The UK’s food and farming system must be radically transformed and become sustainable within 10 years."

Businesses like Riverford dare to be different. They put people and planet before profit and short-sighted gain. If you haven’t come across them before, I highly recommend checking them out: www.riverford.co.uk

It might cost a little more, but it’s worth every penny. After all, food is our medicine.

Love,

Eve