Abingdon Carbon cutters: Veg bags?

About us.....

Abingdon Carbon Cutters is a Community Action Group formed to help reduce the carbon footprint of Abingdon in response to climate change, and to promote a sustainable and resilient lifestyle for our town as fossil fuel stocks decline. We meet on the third Wednesday of each month at St Ethelwold's House, which is here.

At some meetings, we have guest speakers to present various topics, and at others we discuss our own personal actions to address climate change. The group has a focus on encouragement, both of one another, and of the town community.

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Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Veg bags?

Have you considered reducing your Carbon Foot Print with a nutritious, local, organic veg bag?

Tolhurst Organic Produce in South Oxfordshire, founded 30 years ago by Iain Tolhurst, a well known and inspiring figure within the organic movement, make a weekly delivery of freshly harvested, organic, seasonal vegetables (and fruit) to Central Abingdon. You cannot choose the precise contents of your bag (this keeps the price down) but you can add to it from the extras list of such items as potatoes, onions, carrots, and salad leaves when in season. You can have the bag on a regular or irregular basis. The prices are comparable to, or less than, super market non-organic / non-local veg. They come in 3 sizes.

They use a system of distribution that relies on dropping the produce to collection points* around the delivery area. Orders are placed with the reps, and produce collected from them. There are many reasons for doing this:

* It reduces the cost of delivery and gives better value for money.
* It reduces energy use and lowers their carbon footprint**.
* It allows for the efficient re-use of packaging. Customers are able to return their bags which are used over and over again
* It is a more friendly and informal way of buying veg than the supermarket
* It provides a local link to the farm and reduces their administration time

** A recent audit of Tolhurst Organic Produce by the University of Surrey found that they created just eight tonnes of carbon a year, 45% of which is from electricity to produce and distribute the veg to over 400 customers. This is the same annual carbon footprint as that of an average household which makes the business an amazing 90% more efficient than non-organic produce grown and delivered to the supermarket.

‘Tolly’ offers a fascinating, educational annual tour of the farm and crops to his customers.

*The collection point in Abingdon is in East Saint Helen Street. If you would like to try a bag please contact Susie Howard Tel: 533278 / email: susiehoward1@gmail.com

For more info please see their website: www.tolhurstorganic.co.uk