The Zero-Waste Veg Box

I was going through the veg box insert archives and found this oldie but goodie. It was written 2 years ago by Cal Champagne, our original farm manager who left us at the end of 2021 after 8 incredible years. What he wrote is as relevant today as it was then. I hope you enjoy it!

“Many of you would know that Green Connect runs a zero-waste service, where our staff work to divert waste from landfill into recycling and organic streams. So we know a thing or two about waste! This is why since day one, we have sought to make our veg box the zero-waste veg box.

There are a number of ways that we do this. Having a subscription model, where we know how many people we are growing for in advance, reduces the chance of overproduction. Overproduction results in waste in more conventional markets. Also, the inclusion of vegetables that grow well in the Illawarra means we don’t need to waste as much energy producing the few things that are popular in the major supermarkets. The recipes we share help our customers understand how to cook with some of our more weird and wonderful veg so that people make the most of what veg they’ve got. We also promote eating from ‘root-to leaf’ so as to make the most of the stems and leaves – edible parts that are often discarded.

As a customer, you have an important role to play to help us achieve our zero-waste mission. While most veg boxes the world over have resorted to using single use, disposable boxes for convenience and cost-effectiveness, we choose to persist with our reusable waxed boxes to limit our waste footprint. These boxes are coated in a protective natural wax, and if treated right and left at your door or at your pickup hub for our driver to collect the following week, they can last for up to ten weeks.

Please help us with our zero-waste mission by returning your box the week after receiving it, and if you are storing it for us, please keep it out of the rain and sun.”

Enjoy!

Lindsay Burlton
Fair Food Coordinator

In your box:

Note: We sometimes need to make changes to what we pack in your veg box based on the quantity or quality of produce that we can harvest and source. If you have any questions about what is in your box, don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected].

Did you know?

Bok choy delivers one of the highest levels of nutrients per calorie compared to similar produce. You can keep bok choy in the fridge for up to a week but its best to eat fresh to ensure you’re getting all of those nutrients. There’s no end to what you can do in the kitchen with this veg and your options include, sautéing, frying, steaming, shredding, pickling, grilling, or eating it as is!