FAQ

When/Where do you deliver?
We have changed the delivery schedule as of 21st July 2008. Have a look at the new delivery schedule here. However, if your area is not covered, please do still get in touch - we will always try to help wherever possible.

What if I’m out/at work?
We are happy to take special instructions ie to leave with a neighbour or leave in a garden shed etc. If the box is to be left outside, it would be best if there was somewhere under cover to leave it in case of inclement weather. We are also happy to deliver to your place of work if it is within our normal delivery area. Please give us a call – I’m sure we can work something out.

When do I have to place my order by?
For Tuesday deliveries, you must place your order by 11am on Monday. For Thursday and Friday deliveries, you must place your order by 11am on Wednesday. We may be able to help after this time but we can't guarantee supply, especially eggs that sometimes run out early in the week.

Do I have to sign up for every week?
Absolutely not. You do not have to make any commitment to buying a veg box. You can take a box weekly, fortnightly, monthly or just let us know on an ad-hoc basis. However, it would help me enormously if all orders, additions and cancellations were made by Wednesday each week.

Can I specify my delivery time?
Unfortunately not. Our van passes through each district only once each week. This is the most efficient use of fuel and ensures our carbon footprint is as small as possible.

What if I don’t like (eg) spinach?
Then you don’t have to have it. If you have any dislikes then just let us know and those items will never appear in your box. Here at Northern Choice Organics, we believe that you shouldn’t have to pay for produce that you don’t like. You can also tell us if you have a particular favourite that you would like included each week and we will do our best to comply.

How can I pay?
Cash or cheque (payable to J Whiteley) only, on delivery. I don't yet have facilities for debit or credit cards. However, I can accept payment via PayPal. Please get in touch if you would like to pay by this method.

Where is the produce from?
Local suppliers wherever possible. For example, this week (24/08/06) tomatoes came from a grower near Preston, cauliflowers were from Lancashire, new potatoes from Tadcaster, apples and plums from Herefordshire, spinach and lettuce were from Lincolnshire and so on. The free-range eggs come from Wales. We will always choose local produce over imported when it is available. Obviously most fruit is imported (we are unlikely to find a local source for bananas and oranges!) but we will have English apples, pears and plums when they come into season. All the English produce comes straight in to Manchester direct from the growers without spending long periods of time in warehouses or being shipped needlessly up and down the country. This ensures that all the veg is as fresh as possible when it arrives on your doorstep. Even at those times of year when British produce is thin on the ground, we will always choose French, Spanish and Italian produce over South African, American or New Zealand, thereby keeping food miles to a minimum. Rest assured that we never air- freight any produce. Please give us a call or drop us an e-mail if you would like more details about the origins of the fruit and veg we supply.

Please can I have clean veg?
The short answer is that I'm afraid not. As soon as carrots (or parsnips or whatever) are washed, they start to degrade. The flavour will be impaired and they will shrivel quickly.The washed carrots you will find in the supermarket are generally robust varieties chosen for their ability to withstand the commercial washing process rather than flavour. If you store dirty carrots in a plastic or paper bag in a cool place (or even the fridge), they should last several weeks (although this does depend on the time of year). If you find cleaning veg a bit of a chore, soak them in cold water for a few minutes before scrubbing.

Do I have to have fruit & veg?
No. If you want to have a delivery entirely made up of other groceries such as eggs, cheese and jam, then that's fine. Minimum order is £10 and there is no delivery charge.

Help - I've got green tomatoes!
If your tomatoes aren't quite ripe, then keep them out of the fridge, preferably on a sunny windowsill. They should ripen up nicely in just a few days. The same applies to bananas.

Do you sell anything other than just fruit and veg?
We certainly do! Have a look at the list here. If there is anything you would like that isn't currently stocked, please ask and we will do our best to find a supplier.

Do you recycle?
We certainly do! All plastic, cardboard, glass, wood and aluminium waste is recyled. All organic waste, including paper and some cardboard, is composted. If you return your box, it will be re-used or recycled.

What’s in a box?
See separate section here

Why organic?
See separate section here