Devon Veg Box Scheme Suspended

A Devon based veg box scheme has been forced to suspend its service ‘indefinitely’ after three years of providing a delivery service to hundreds of customers.

Based in Avonwick, The Nearly Naked Veg Company made the announcement following problems with the number of vegetables they were able to harvest. Since last year, weather conditions have interrupted expected crop patterns and caused flooding, affecting up to 70% of vegetables produced on the farm.

Ben Brunning is the founder of the company and having predicted similar problems in the future, made the tough decision to stop; “Crops we were meant to be harvesting in March and April time were being harvested in December and it was then that deep down I knew that no matter how much planning I did on varieties and harvest dates, the weather could ruin my endeavours in a flash.

“Without having a plentiful harvest from June until December I cannot accumulate enough to carry me through the period of where I have no produce.”

Although the box scheme has finished, Ben operates a wholesale service that has been more successful during the adverse weather and will continue to serve business customers. Up to now, the wholesale side of the business had allowed the veg box scheme to continue despite losses.

In a statement, Ben praised customers for their support; “I would also like to take this last opportunity to say how grateful I am to all of you who have supported us through the good and bad times and even when the boxes do get a little boring due to shortages. You all gave me the chance to do what I do best and love – farm the land.”