Veg box scheme opens Brixton collection point

By Letisah Grosvenor

An organisation that supplies locally-grown organic vegetable bags has opened its first collection point in Brixton.

Local Greens, based in Herne Hill, delivers the weekly bags in an electric van to locations around south London, and Brixton residents can now pick up veg bags at the Blue Star House, Stockwell Road.

Dreamt up by two Herne Hill mums, Therese and Jean, along with marketing professional Maria, the not-for-profit project is mainly run by volunteers. It hopes to prove the perfect anecdote to the creeping rise of the “local” supermarkets popping up on every street corner.

Implementing a scheme where individuals collect their vegetables, rather than having them delivered, means more money can go direct to the farmers and with the closest less than 11 miles away, some veg has even been harvested on the day of collection.

Since launching last September in the Herne Hill and Dulwich area, the collective has amassed more than 120 customers. Boxes start at £7.50, compared with the market leaders Able & Cole (£9.00) or Riverford Organics (£10.35). Similar to their competitors Local Greens’ emphasis is placed on the value of produce; they shun the use of pesticides or preservatives and champion the idea of fresh, seasonal goods.

But why bags and not boxes, we thought it was all about “veg boxes”? Well, the minimal packaging keeps costs down, the bags are easier to carry, 100% recycled and can be reused.

Blue Star House is the Lambeth council office situated opposite Brixton Academy. Customers will be able to collect their orders every Thursday between 3.30 and 8pm or Friday between 7am and 8pm.

Local Greens have also just introduced the South London Salad. A network of locals grow all the salad within a 2.5-mile radius. You can’t get much closer than that unless you were to attempt growing your own.

This is a non-profit scheme that highlights the power of community, so if you’re looking for the field to fork experience and live in Brixton, or any of the other Local Green areas, then give them a try. Or better yet, join in!

For more information visit Local Greens. Letisah blogs at www.wildehart.com.