Riverford Organics and a Cookbook Giveaway

I think we're all pretty familiar with concept of fruit and veg boxes with many of us choosing them as an alternative to the supermarket.  The issue of climate change is also regularly in the news and the fact that Climate Week began on the 12th of March is timely reminder that it's important that we all spend a little time thinking about where we source the food we eat.

Riverford are one of the leading companies offering locally grown, organic products delivered right to your door and have been in the industry for almost 15 years.  Initially delivering to just 30 homes, they have expanded over time and have met the challenge of keeping up with demand, while still maintaining their commitment to local growing and employment, by teaming up with four sister farms around the UK.  They now deliver to around 40,000 homes each week.

Riverford has won many awards including Best Online Retailer 2010 and 2011 and Best Ethical Business 2009 in the Observer Ethical Awards and Best Organic Retailer 2009 and the Fruit and Vegetable category in the 2009 Soil Association Awards. It's restaurant, the Riverford Field Kitchen, also won the award for Best Ethical Restaurant 2009 and 2010 in the Observer Food Monthly Awards.

In 2010 Riverford launched a "Riverford Cooks"campaign to inspire people to cook from scratch using a vegbox.  Riverford Cooks work up and down the country in their local communities on activities from cooking lunches in people's homes through to public cookery workshops and demos.  You can find out more about events in your local area and swap recipe ideas by joining the Riverford Cooks website.

Riverford have also asked me to share the videos below with you, which will hopefully provide you with a bit more inspiration and information about what they do and how you can make the most of your veg.

How to Cook Squash

About Ploughing

Alternative to Battery Chicken Farming

Riverford's first book, the Riverford Farm Cook Book: Tales from the Fields, Recipes from the Kitchen was published in September 2008 and won Best First Book 2009 and Work on British Food 2009 at the Guild of Food Writers Awards.  This was followed by a second book in 2011, Everyday and Sunday Recipes from Riverford Farm.

And here's the really good bit.  Riverford are giving one lucky reader the chance to win a copy of their first book.  All you have to do is leave a comment below, or on my Facebook page, telling me which of Riverford's fab fruit, veg and meat boxes appeal to you the most.  Or you can post the following message on Twitter

I've entered the @HalfaPotofCream competition to win a copy of the @Riverford Farm Cookbook - http://tinyurl.com/7z4gr28

The competition ends at midnight on Sunday 25th March and I'll announce the winner couple of days later.  Only UK entries allowed I'm afraid. Good luck!