The not for profit Calderdale enterprise helping people eat well with affordable 'veg bags'

A new network of community food retailers is encouraging more people to eat well with affordable, sustainably grown veg boxes.
Delivery veg bags to drop off points, whatever the weatherDelivery veg bags to drop off points, whatever the weather
Delivery veg bags to drop off points, whatever the weather

Better Food Traders, a not-for-profit enterprise, headed by London-based Growing Communities, is expanding across the country and now has an accredited food retailer in Calderdale.

Pennine Cropshare, which was set up in 2004, provides sustainably grown fruit and veg which is either certified organic or grown without pesticides and chemicals. Customers order online and the hessian bags – no boxes – are delivered to pick-up points in neighbouring towns and villages.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Isobel Cortese, co-ordinator of Pennine Cropshare, said the ethos around the enterprise was to provide sustainable, traceable food bought at a price which was fair to farmers and sold at an affordable price to customers.

The veg bags on offer start at £6 and all have three staples, carrots, potatoes and onions, with additional veg added dependent on the size of bag being bought.

“We always try to put something leafy and green in and there is also the option not to have potatoes,” Miss Cortese said.

Keeping produce as locally sourced as possible is also important and Pennine Cropshare has two main suppliers, the Organic Pantry near Tadcaster and more recently, Organic North based in Manchester.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The service is also in demand. Miss Cortese said customer numbers had grown significantly, doubling over the past year.

“Each week we include a recipe with the veg bags and if we have a more unusual vegetable included such as Jerusalem artichokes which people may not have come across before, we make sure the recipe is for that veg.”

And it has developed its own budding online community.

“We have one customer who set up a Facebook group where people can share tips, new recipes and pictures of what they have cooked.

“She also set up a community cooking group where they use produce from Cropshare to teach people how to cook. It is a great way of sharing the knowledge and also a big part of what we are about which is helping people eat well.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Pennine Cropshare was originally formed through a start-up loan from Growing Communities by two women who still work as volunteers alongside the small dedicated team which includes packers and delivery drivers.

“We have kept in contact with Growing Communities and it was a natural progression to become an accredited trader,” she said.

“Together we have a stronger voice and we are all working towards the same goal.”

Related topics: