Best Fruit & Vegetable Boxes in New Zealand
Farmer’s market produce is not more expensive than the grocery store. Say it after me “farmer’s market produce is not more expensive than the grocery store”.
I’ve known this statement to be true for many years because I shop at a farmer’s market (a tiny one with one vegetable stall so I am screwed when the vegetable dude is not there). But the common misconception that super markets sell the cheapest fruit & vegetables has only been properly debunked recently when the cost of food rose dramatically.
I got the fright of my life in April when I received a $59.00 organic produce box & compared it to what it would have cost me at Countdown. The price difference was $22.13… the organic produce box delivered straight to my door was CHEAPER!
With this in mind, I made it my mission to let New Zealanders know about the variety of fruit & vegetable boxes are out there. Imagine if we could all save money while supporting local growers?!
We don’t need to imagine anymore… here are 13 options to choose from.
A few things you should know before you start reading & decide on what vegetable box subscription you’ll sign up too…
All deliveries ship in cardboard boxes. Some of them include other packaging, but the majority is shipped ‘naked’ in the box.
I haven’t ordered from every company or affiliate with any of them (yet?!). This means this is an unbiased blog post. But it also means I cannot hand on heart recommend them as a sustainable option. Use this as a helpful guide to kick off your research so you can make the best decision for you and/or your family.
If I have tried a box or heard feedback from other people, I’ve mentioned this under the “Review” section.
Choose a company that grows the vegetables as close to you as possible. This reduces the ‘food miles’ it takes to get your produce to your doorstep!
The ‘weekly cost per person’ section is an approximate figure to guide you on affordability. This cost per person will vary depending on how many vegetables & fruit you eat each week plus the size of box you order.
This is just a small list of great options! We have SO MANY in Aotearoa New Zealand. Find more amazing options in various locations around the country in the comments of this helpful reel.
Unwanted produce ends up wasted either in landfill, as animal feed or ploughed back into the land. Buying misfit fruit & veg helps farmers sell more of their crop and plan ahead for future growing seasons.
Food type: Fruit and vegetables
Locations: Most urban areas, based in BOP / Waikato.
Weekly cost per person: $13 -$22
Most suitable for: Families, flats, couples - mini boxes available
Popular product: Fruit & Veg box
Organic: No.
Subscription available: Yes.
Focus on reducing food waste at the source - the food is retailer rejected.
Food type: Fruit & vegetable box or vegetable box.
Locations: Wellington, Auckland, the Manawatū, South Island (some areas).
Weekly cost per person: $15.
Most suitable for: Couples & families.
Popular product: $32 fruit & vegetable box.
Organic: No.
Subscription available: Yes.
Review: Hundreds of people recommend Wonky Box, however it may not suit individuals as some of the food goes off within a day & needs to be eaten QUICKLY. Most of the produce is far from wonky! But some stuff may arrive already perished & is only suitable for your compost bin.
Locally sourced where possible.
Food type: Fruit, vegetables, eggs, honey, oil & other local products.
Locations: Wellington, Palmerston North, Feilding, Sanson through to Newlands, Johnsonville & the Hutt Valley/ Petone.
Weekly cost per person: $20.
Most suitable for: Couples or families, the subscription plans are flexible.
Popular product: $40 Fresh Local Fruit & Vegetable Box (pictured).
Organic: No.
Subscription available: Yes.
Farm shop based in Clevedon, delivering fresh herbs, produce & seedlings to your front door.
Food type: Vegetables.
Locations: Delivery throughout the North Island excluding Great Barrier Island. Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton, Taupō, Rotorua, Wellington, Palmerston North & Wellington.
Weekly cost per person: $18.
Most suitable for: 2-6 people, flexible options.
Popular product: $49 Medium Seasonal Produce Box. Feeds 3-4 people (pictured).
Organic: Yes.
Subscription available: Yes.
1/4 acre market garden who collaborate with other organic Wairarapa growers.
Food type: Vegetables, eggs & kombucha!
Locations: Delivery in Wairarapa every Thursday & to the Wellington/Hutt Valley pick up points on Friday.
Weekly cost per person: ~$22
Most suitable for: Couples, large families
Popular product: The Original (pictured) $45 & the Super Whānau ($75)
Organic: Yes
Subscription available: Yes.
Gleaned & supermarket-rejected food, direct from growers to consumers.
Food type: Fruit, vegetables & select other products such as milk, sauces & fruit leather on occasion.
Locations: Auckland only.
Weekly cost per person: $13
Most suitable for: Couples.
Popular product: Mystery Box $26.
Organic: Unsure.
Subscription available: Yes.
Review: One of the most cost effective options plus you’re saving food from the bin! I had great success with my orders during lockdown though I find the online website clunky & hard to use.
Market fresh produce, pantry staples, gourmet groceries & gifts.
Food type: Fruit, vegetables, beer, wine, eggs, meat, grains, bread & other pantry staples.
Locations: New Zealand wide excluding PO boxes or rural addresses. Can deliver in 1 day in Auckland or overnight nationwide (excluding rural).
Weekly cost per person: $20.
Most suitable for: 1-2 people.
Popular product: 4.5kg fruit & vegetable box $39.95.
Organic: No.
Subscription available: Yes.
Organic, seasonal fruit & vegetables.
Food type: Fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs, dairy, bread, pasta, grains & other pantry staples.
Locations: Local to Wellington, Courier New Zealand wide.
Weekly cost per person: Less than $20.
Most suitable for: Families or flats, 3+ people, many different options.
Popular product: Bounty Box $50. Organic Fruit & Vegetables (pictured). A larger box for bigger households or vegetarian eaters.
Organic: Yes.
Subscription available: Yes.
A social enterprise partnering with local community groups across the country to connect people with fresh food direct from growers.
Food type: Fruit & vegetable boxes in 3 sizes, catering from 1 -4 people.
Locations: New Plymouth, Cambridge, Auckland - Avondale, some pick up, some delivery.
Weekly cost per person: $10-$15.
Most suitable for: Flexible options for up to 4 people.
Popular product: $40 whānau box 3-4 people.
Organic: Some.
Subscription available: Yes.
Organic, spray-free & nutrient-rich whole foods.
Food type: Fruit, vegetables, eggs, bread, dairy, meat, bread & other pantry staples.
Locations: Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga & Christchurch.
Weekly cost per person: $25.
Most suitable for: Couples, small families & individuals.
Popular product: Value Mix Box $49.99.
Organic: Yes.
Subscription available: Yes.
One-stop shop for healthy food products - a strong focus on organic.
Food type: Fruit, vegetables, bakery, baking goods, condiments, pasta, rice, grains, snacks & other pantry staples.
Locations: Nationwide.
Weekly cost per person: ~$20 -$25.
Most suitable for: Families & flats.
Popular product: A Small Family Organic Fruit & Vegetable Box $50.00.
Organic: Yes.
Subscription available: No.
