From a recent new customer
Just wanted to say thank you for my first delivery. The box was perfect, excellent produce and we re enjoying all the beautiful flavours from these wonderful crops you provide. I just so pleased I found you guys as I appreciate the importance of where our food comes from and the effect on health through regular daily quality food consumption
BOX CONTENTS
Is all the produce organic?
Yes, the veggie box contents are 100% organically grown and approximately 80% are grown by Ripple Farm Organics on land we rent that is certified by the Soil Association each year. The Soil Association is the largest UK organic certification body as well as being a charity that campaigns for a better way to farm, eat and care for the natural world.
How much produce is in each size box?
Click here (pdf document) for an idea of what is in the veggie boxes throughout the year. As we are a small, grower led box scheme it is not practical for us to publish a list of contents each week, so we hope you enjoy the surprise!
Can I substitute an item?
We realise that not every-one likes (or can eat) all the vegetables that we grow and so we allow 2 exclusions per box. You can also specify any preferred replacement(s) although these are not guaranteed. Potatoes, carrots, onions and seasonal greens are usually available all year round, also squash from July until Mar and salad from April to December.
Email us to request to add or change any exclusions and/or preferred replacements. Even though the customer dashboard has a link to 'Edit Exclusions' it doesn't actually allow you to do so. Your exclusions will be printed on the label on your box/sack each week under 'No thanks'
How much of the produce is grown by Ripple Farm?
We aim for 70% home grown, 85% Kentish, and 100% organic on average throughout the year. We have to source more from other growers during the ‘Hungry Gap’ in May/June. Andy Ward of Nash Nursery near Canterbury supplies the eggs as well as vegetables, including most of the cauliflowers, tomatoes, cucumbers and sweet peppers and other veg through the year. We deliver our own produce to Better Food Shed, to a not-for-profit ethical wholesaler in London twice a week and we’re able to source organic produce from there too. And we sometimes source bulk amounts of potatoes and carrots direct from other UK organic growers when we don’t have enough of our own.
Can I add extras to my order?
You can add extras to your order weekly/fortnightly or as a one off. Login to your account and you be able to login to your customer dashboard. Then scroll down to see the extras that are currently available. You can select how many and how often/when you want to add any item.
If you already have extras added on a regular weekly or fortnightly basis, you won't be able to remove them for one week only, please contact us to do this.
Alternatively, the list of extra veggies available is in the newsletter that is emailed out at the start of each month, please email sarah@ripplefarmorganics.co.uk before midday Monday to add anything to your order for that week.
Do you offer fruit?
We source organic apples from a small grower in Kent, Dennis at Little Knell Farm and these are usually available as extras from September to December. That is the only fruit we offer.
What is this and how do I cook it?
We try and keep you up-to-date with what vegetables to expect in your box through the weekly newsletters that are emailed out every Thursday/Friday from updates@mail.ooooby.org.
There are some great info and recipes on the Growing Communities website.
Also, tips here to make the most of your veggie box contents. And tips here on freezing vegetables.
The London box schemes we supply give out great recipes on twitter – try following @growcomm, @localgreensveg @cropdrop and @leegreens
But if you have any particular queries on anything in your box please email sarah@ripplefarmorganics.co.uk and we will try and help.
Also, follow us on Twitter @rippleorganics and facebook /ripplefarmorganics for news and pics from the farm
What is the 'Hungry Gap'?
The 'Hungry Gap' is the time when UK grown fresh produce is scarce, usually April to June. The stored crops such as potatoes, onions and squash are coming to an end, field vegetables such as leeks, cabbages, kale, spinach and chard are also finishing and running to seed. And although, many new season's crops are in the ground, they still need more time to grow before they are ready to harvest.
CANCELLATIONS AND CHANGES
How do I cancel a delivery?
Login to your account and you will be able to login to your customer dashboard. Your current order will be shown in the middle of the screen, with the box size in large, orange lettering. Just above this you will see 'edit pauses' in small, grey lettering. Select this to check and add any cancellation dates. You will receive an automated email from transactions@mail.ooooby.org confirming any changes you make.
Alternatively, email sarah@ripplefarmorganics.co.uk before midday Monday to cancel your delivery.
How do I change my box size?
Login to your account and you will be able to login to your customer dashboard. Select 'Edit Box Type' to change the size of your veg box.
Alternatively, email sarah@ripplefarmorganics.co.uk before midday Monday to change your order.
How do I change my extras?
Login to your account and you will be able to login to your customer dashboard.
Then scroll down to see the extras that are currently available. You can select how many and how often/when you want to add any item.
If you already have extras added on a regular weekly or fortnightly basis, you won't be able to remove them for one week only, please contact us to do this.
What is the latest time to change/cancel my order?
Any changes/cancellations need to be actioned or emailed to us by midday Monday please for the current week’s deliveries. But we are understanding, so if you have a last minute emergency and need to cancel at short notice please email sarah@ripplefarmorganics.co.uk to request
Help, I need to cancel after the midday Monday deadline!
Boxes cancelled after Midday Monday (for the following Thursday) but before midday Wednesday, by ‘phone, e-mail or post will not be delivered but you will be charged a late cancellation fee (small £3, medium £4, large £5)
Boxes cancelled after midday Wednesday (for the following day’s delivery) will be delivered and charged at full price.
Please email sarah@ripplefarmorganics.co.uk if unforeseen circumstances mean you will not be able to collect a box that we are delivering. But if you just decide to go away at the last minute or forget to cancel until too late then please try and arrange for someone else to collect and use your box.
Can I have a fortnightly order?
Yes, you can set up a regular weekly or fortnightly order.
How often can I cancel my order?
There is no obligation to have a veggie box every week, you can cancel your order as often as you need to.
DELIVERIES AND COLLECTIONS
Do you deliver to my home?
We deliver door-to-door in Wye, Brook, Boughton Aluph and Hastingleigh. We also use the wonderful Velocity Cycle couriers (Isabelle and Andrew) to deliver door to door within Canterbury (incurs an additional cost). You don’t need to be in when we deliver, you just need somewhere outside with shade/shelter where the veggies can be left.
All other deliveries are to collection points in East Kent, with deliveries every Thursday.
Can I collect a veggie box from the Farm?
Pre-ordered veggie boxes can be collected direct from the farm every Thursday from midday.
When can I collect from a collection point?
Deliveries are every Thursday, and collection times are listed below. please note that these times allow for delays due to traffic etc, and we usually actually deliver before the time specified. .Please collect as soon as possible for fresher veggies.
| Willesborough | from 11am |
| Aldington, Saltwood, Hythe | from 1pm |
| Folkestone, Lyminge & Bridge | from 2pm |
| Prospect Place, Canterbury | from 3pm |
| Whitstable and Tankerton | from 4pm |
| Faversham | from 5pm |
I need to collect late, who should I contact?
It’s polite to let your collection point host know if you will be collecting late or let us know and we’ll pass it on.
PACKAGING
Can I return my empty box/sack to you?
Yes, please return your empty box or paper sack weekly/regularly. Just leave it at the collection point when you collect your new one or if you have home delivery leave it out where we leave your full one.
What should I do with the compostable bags?
Any clean ones can be returned with your box and we re-use them to pack potatoes in for the box scheme. Any that are dirty or have deteriorated can be added to your home compost heap or returned to us and we’ll compost them. Or check if your food waste collection allows them and use them for lining your compost caddy.
Please don’t return compostable bags to us that aren't from us as we don’t have a use for them.
What should I do with the empty plastic bags?
Any clean ones can be returned to us with your box and we re-use them for packing potatoes into for the box scheme. It’s always useful to keep a few in your kitchen to keep any bunched greens in, store carrots or leeks in etc. And many supermarkets have recycling bins where they can be disposed of (they are made of LDPE)
Can I return my empty egg boxes to you?
Yes, please return your empty egg boxes (but only the ones we supply). We pass them back to Nash Nursery as the family also have a farm shop where they are re-used.
Where do I find more information about the packaging you use?
We are constantly assessing our packaging use and trying to reduce or choose the least environmentally damaging options. It’s not always very black and white and here’s some news we’ve shared previously.
ripplefarmorganics.co.uk/blog/2018/02/plastic-and-packaging 2018
why-were-still-using-plastic-bags-for-salad-and-some-greens 2019
PAYMENTS
How do I pay for my order?
Login to your account and you will be able to login to your customer dashboard.When you make your first order you will be asked to enter your card details with our payment provider (windcave) and payment will be taken for your first order.
Future payments will be requested a few days after each delivery, and you will receive an automated email from transactions@mail.ooooby.org
every time we request a payment. The payment amount will match the email confirming your order and you can check your orders and payments anytime by selecting 'My Account' (top right on your dashboard).
How do I change the debit/credit card that payments are taken from?
Login to your account and you will be able to login to your customer dashboard.When you make your first order you will be asked to enter your card details with our payment provider (windcave) and payment will be taken for your first order. Select 'My Account' (top right on your dashboard) then select 'Update Payment Details (bottom right) and you will be taken to the windcave page to enter new card details.
Where can I see my payments and orders?
Login to your account and you will be able to login to your customer dashboard. You can check your orders and payments anytime by selecting 'My Account' (top right on your dashboard). Your 10 most recent transactions will be shown and you can select to 'view all'
I cancelled my order for this week but have just received an email stating payment will be requested?
Please re-read your payment request email. We always request payment a few days AFTER each delivery, usually on the Monday following the Thursday delivery. You will receive an automated email when we request payment informing you that the payment is for your 'recent delivery'
GENERAL
I need to contact someone, what’s the best way to get in touch?
Emails are usually checked several times a day, Monday to Saturday so that’s the best way to get in touch. Please email sarah@ripplefarmorganics.co.uk
We check the farm answerphone daily on weekdays 01227 730898, please leave your own number clearly of you need a call back.
Do you have a farm shop?
We don’t have a farm shop, and the only produce available direct from the farm is pre-ordered veggie boxes. We have a stall at Wye and Whitstable Farmer’s Markets, and Stoke Newington Farmer’s Market London. Click here for where to buy our produce.
Do you need any workers/volunteers?
We usually take on a paid worker for the summer months and will advertise here if we need some one for this role or any other role.
We don’t take volunteers as we are set up to provide paid employment. If you want to volunteer on an organic farm try contacting WWOOF
What do you do with your out grade produce?
We pass on out graded produce to a couple of local livestock farmers, Wye Community Farm and Burscombe Cliff Farm
Can you help with my research/dissertation/project?
We receive lots of requests from students and we help when we can, but don’t have the time to say yes to everyone. We prioritise students studying locally.
Do you follow regenerative agriculture practices?
Find out more about our growing methods and how they tie in with regenerative agriculture here