Abel & Cole deliver fresh seasonal organic fruit and veg boxes to your doorstep. The other week I was asked if I would like to review the Abel & Cole Medium Fruit & Veg Box and so I accepted my mission. As a Certified B-Corp, sustainability is at the forefront of all operations at Abel & Cole, with this in mind I wanted to share my experiences and assess what exactly makes Abel & Cole environmentally friendly.
Our Shopping Habits
For new readers, we are a household of two adults (and one cat named Pickle) We recently moved to the leafy suburbs of Manchester and both work from home. Cooking from scratch is a daily ritual and we love to get creative with recipes and host semi-regular dinner parties with friends. Our weekly shopping comes from a mixture of local independent shops and high-street giants Aldi or Sainsburys. All of which we walk to.
We love to buy quality ingredients, and if they can be sourced locally that’s even better. However, I am always excited to try food delivery services, especially if the produce is organically grown and ethically sourced.
Is Abel & Cole produce really organic?
Abel & Cole focuses on providing organic fruits and vegetables, grown without harmful pesticides and synthetic fertilisers. Organic farming practices promote biodiversity, improve soil health, and reduce pollution, which contributes to a more sustainable and eco-friendly system.
For over three decades, Abel & Cole have been advocates of organic farming. Their organic farmers are certified by independent organisations like the Soil Association, adhering to rigorous regulations for organic food production. According to the Soil Association, these farmers go above and beyond in crucial areas such as animal welfare, human health, and environmental protection. Their standards ensure that animals are genuinely free-range, enjoy ample space and natural light, are fed a non-GMO diet, and are not routinely administered antibiotics.
Carbon Neutral
Abel & Cole takes pride in being a certified CarbonNeutral® company, a status achieved through diligent efforts including the implementation of a robust SBTi-approved strategy and support for renewable energy initiatives.
In collaboration with Climate Impact Partners, experts in carbon market solutions, Abel & Cole have backed a Gold Standard-verified renewable energy project. This initiative has successfully offset their Scope 1 and 2 emissions for 2024, aligning with the CarbonNeutral® Protocol.
Achieving carbon neutrality involved calculating the companies carbon footprint, making internal reductions, and funding certified emissions reduction projects.
Offsetting is not the solution to climate change; however, it can serve as a valuable tool for immediate action and supports the overall transition to a low-carbon economy.
Abel & Cole are investing in the Lingasugur Wind Power project in India, which is expected to reduce emissions by at least 75,000 tonnes of CO2e annually, while also fostering economic growth and job creation.
Seasonal and Local Sourcing
As part of their ongoing efforts to reduce their carbon footprint, the company emphasises seasonal and locally sourced produce, reducing the environmental impact associated with long-distance transportation and minimising food miles. By supporting local farmers, they also promote sustainability in the agricultural sector.
Packaging
As we are all aware the plastic and packaging crisis is a major global issue and one that we all must work towards eradicating. I was pleasantly surprised that the Fruit & Veg Box arrived in fully biodegradable simple cardboard packaging, with not a trace of plastic in sight- heaven!
They use minimal and recyclable materials for packaging, delivering produce in reusable boxes and encouraging customers to return them for reuse. The planet needs more of this.
Reducing Food Waste
Receiving a delivery of fresh fruit and veg meant the chance to get creative and we didn’t waste anything. To me this is one of the best things about ordering fruit and veg boxes, you only ever shop for what you need. Within the Abel & Cole Medium Fruit & Veg Box was a nifty booklet that contained a Weekly Meal Planner, a few pages for your shopping list and several seasonal recipes. We created a tasty veg curry for friends, a soup for weekday lunchtimes and an apple crumble.
To reduce food waste, Abel & Cole partner with WRAP to monitor any surplus. They have an appointed Food Guardian, Ania, whose job it is to actively collaborate with organisations like City Harvest and The Felix Project to ensure that any unsold food is redirected to those in need. Additionally, any food that cannot be utilised by these charities is given to local farmers for animal feed. This comprehensive approach has enabled them to achieve a remarkable 50% reduction in food waste since 2021. If only all our supermarkets would adopt these practices.
Pros
- Reassurance of Sustainability and Organic practices from governing bodies such as Soil Association, B-Corp
- Less food waste
- Easy to prepare and allowed for creativity
- Encourage you to explore and try new recipes
- Very convenient for busy individuals and families
- Varied meal options
- Gluten-free recipes available
- Great value for money
Cons
- Local grocery stores miss out on customers (but then you’re supporting UK farmers and growers, so this one is up for debate)
Overall, the Abel & Cole Veg Box is designed with environmental sustainability in mind, from production and sourcing to packaging and delivery. They have thorough and robust sustainability policies and are carbon neutral, plus they offer you the consumer the reassurance of being a certified B-Corp and have organic credentials from the Soil Association. We enjoyed the produce wholeheartedly and would highly recommend
You can pick up your Organic Medium Fruit & Veg Box HERE
