What surprised me
I think the name "Oddbox" is a misleading as you would assume that you'd receive a range of gnarly and misshaped vegetables. Most of the fruit and veg you receive is actually surplus produce. This means the quality of the produce is similar to what you buy in the supermarket.Some of the produce is oddly shaped compared to what is normally sold in the supermarket, but not necessarily in a bad way. For example, recently I have had some jumbo asparagus and oblong melons, as opposed to the spherical melon. Is it different? Yes, but does it affect my usage of the vegetable? No.
Advantages
Price
The Oddbox subscription is much cheaper than other fruit and veg box options, and only slightly more expensive than supermarket prices. Given that all their boxes are less than £20 (delivery included) and the large box can contain up to 13 types of fruit and veg, the subscription is much cheaper than other fruit and veg boxes. For me it is on-par with buying groceries from a supermarket chain, meaning that it's right choice for me given the other following advantages.Eco-credentials and sustainability
As a social enterprise, you actively doing some good for our environment by choosing Oddbox instead of normal supermarket groceries as all the produce would literally otherwise go to waste if it had not been salvaged by Oddbox. The produce is usually seasonal, meaning lower carbon emissions from transportation. Lastly, each subscription comes in a cardboard box with most produce unpacked. This means significantly less plastic compared to supermarket groceries.You support a small business
With each box there is also a weekly newsletter that comes with each delivery. This is a nice personal touch that I enjoy reading every Saturday morning. It contains details of where the produce is from, why it's included in your Oddbox (surplus, oversized etc.), recipe suggestions, and what you should eat first.Convenient delivery
Every week there is overnight delivery where they leave the delivery box on your doorstep. I was a bit sceptical about this initially but I've had no problems with this and it also saves you from having to carry heavy fruit and vegetables from the supermarket which is my pet peeve.Variety of fruit and veg
Using a grocery subscription service means that you will get a wider variety of produce you'd otherwise not buy. This is exciting if you like experimenting with new fruit and veg, Recently we've received Jerusalem artichokes, passionfruit and celeriac, all produce I'd otherwise never buy myself.
Disadvantages
Limited delivery locations
They don't deliver everywhere in the country but they are quickly expanding. When I subscribed they only served London, but now I'm back home in Hertfordshire, they've also expanded to delivering here to!Repetitive fruit and vegetable choices
The downsides of a seasonal vegetable delivery is the fruit and veg choices can be repetitive during certain seasons. This means a whole lot of root veg over the winter. However, produce is actually most limited in Spring time meaning that you end up with lots of cabbages and brassicas which are not the most exciting vegetable.
A constant throughout the year is lots and lots of potatoes every week. Did you that they are the most vegetable that contributes to most food waste in the UK? Luckily potatoes are super versatile, but this may be potato overload to those who are not potato-heads.
The Bottom Line
Waking up to find my Oddbox on my porch every Saturday is like Christmas for me. This is one subscription that I will definitely be continuing even after lockdown is over.
Oddbox is for you if...
- Live in an area they deliver
- Don't like carrying from the supermarket
- Aren't too fussy about choice of fruit/veg
- If you want to put your money where your mouth is and want to use your purchasing power to support a sustainability-focused social enterprise
