Winter veggie box program 2023
Nutrient rich, locally grown vegetables, hand harvested just for you - can't get fresher than that.
PLEASE NOTE - our 2023 veggie box program is now fully subscribed and we are unable to accommodate any additional places. Please visit us at one of our local Farmers Markets to buy our delicious seasonal vegetables.
From the moment we began growing our unique vegetables, customers told us they had been searching for a regular supply of high quality, truly fresh vegetables, locally and sustainably grown. To assist in meeting that demand, we began a seasonal veggie box program early on in the development of our market garden, which has grown and expanded with each season. However, as a small scale grower, places are limited.
What previous subscribers have said about our program
"Both my husband and I look forward to our veggie bag. I try to base my meals around what you and my garden supplies so avoid having to go to the shops so much, which in these times is a blessing." Denise, Swanpool.
"The veggie bags have been perfect! You give us a variety of flavours and colours. We are very happy and will continue buying your produce. Thank you for doing the hard work." Francesca, Tolmie.
"Gorgeous produce again this week...thank you. I am in love with the carrots as they taste SO delicious. Some of the greens are challenging me to cook different dishes, which I am also enjoying. We are feeling the health benefits." Jane, Mansfield.
To help you decide whether our veggie box program is right for you, here are the details:
Firstly, ours is a veggie bag program. Your veggies will be placed into a reusable eco-carry bag each week, as opposed to a box.
Option 1 – Weekly
When: Starting mid to late May and continuing weekly for 12 weeks. If the market garden is still growing strong at the end of this period, there will be an option to continue with the program if you wish.
How much: $40 per week
What do you receive: Each week, we will put together at least $40 worth of our gorgeous heirloom produce for you (generally 6-8 items). There will be a range of seasonal produce provided for you to prepare your nutrient rich meals from. The Winter market garden includes heirloom carrots, beetroot, broccoli, radish, lettuce, broccoletti, kale, red onions, herbs, Italian broccoli greens, ruby chard, rhubarb, pea shoots, spinach, rocket, mustard greens and later in the season, possibly cabbage, snow peas and broad beans. There’s also "storage" vegetables such as heirloom pumpkin and onions. Everything we offer in our veggie bag program is grown by us, on our regenerative farm in Mansfield, so you can be assured of the quality, flavour and high nutritional content. No boring, lifeless vegetables here!
The Winter program is very much centred around leafy greens and root vegetables. It is important to understand that we are a small scale market garden, growing in the field and with the seasons. Whilst there may be weeks where we are able to give you a choice in some or all of the contents of the bag, there will be others (most) where we just don’t have the produce or resources to accommodate specific requests. Therefore, please take this into consideration before signing up. The feedback we overwhelmingly receive from previous program members is how much they enjoyed opening the bag, unpacking the freshest of locally grown, seasonal produce and planning meals around them. We regularly hear “It felt like Christmas as I unpacked the bag”, which makes our hearts sing. We would suggest linking in with a friend or family member if there is a particular vegetable you may be already growing, don't like or perhaps you might even try it again - you may just be surprised to find you actually do like it when grown from heirloom seed, chemical free and harvested at its peak - if I had a dollar for every time I have heard "I never used to like kale, but your kale is so tender, it's delicious".
How do you receive the bag: Pick up at our farm gate (McLeod Lane, Mansfield) on Thursday afternoon or Friday morning.
What if I won’t be in the area on a particular week? Weekly program members have the option to pause their bags once during the twelve week program. So, if you are going away or have had a week of dinner engagements and the veggies are still in the crisper, you may ask for the bag to be paused for that week, providing you make the request by Wednesday 12pm.
For example – you are going away, so you ask for the bag to be paused that week. This occurs in week 6 of the 12 week program. This essentially means we do not harvest for you, nor do you pay for a bag that week, and your program is then extended for an additional week, into week 13.
We will also be pausing the program once during the 12 week program, in the week beginning July 24, due to personal commitments. As above, this means you don't receive a bag that week, and the program is extended into week 13.
I have a large family, or am a veggie lover, can I order additional veggies? Yes, you sure can. Veggie bag members will receive an email each Monday afternoon listing the produce which will be contained within your bag, along with any additional produce we have available. Should you wish to order additional veggies, simply respond to that email, and place your order. As a thank you for committing to purchasing local, fresh produce direct from the grower, you will receive a 10% discount off any additional veggies purchased.
How do I commit: Email simone@heirloomnaturallymansfield.com to let us know you wish to sign up for a weekly veggie bag. Once we confirm we have a place available for you, we will invoice you for a $120 deposit to hold your place.
Then, what do I pay each week: As you will have already paid a $120 deposit ($10 per week across the 12 week subscription), the weekly amount payable is then reduced to $30 for each of the twelve bags. If you prefer to pay the entire amount upfront to save the hassle of weekly payments, that’s great too. We are comfortable with whatever suits you best.
Option 2 – Fortnightly
When: Starting mid to late May and continuing fortnightly across 12 weeks (ie. 6 bags total). If the market garden is still growing strong at the end of this period, there will be an option to continue with the program if you wish.
How much: $40 per fortnight.
What do you receive: Each fortnight, we will put together at least $40 worth of our fabulous heirloom produce for you. Details as per the weekly bag.
How do I receive the bag: Details as per the weekly bag.
What if I won’t be in the area on a particular week? Unfortunately, we do not have the ability to pause fortnightly bags. Previous program members have arranged for a friend to pick up the bag on their behalf and enjoy the delicious veggies.
I have a large family, or am a veggie lover, can I order additional veggies? Yes, you sure can, but maybe the weekly program is best for you. In any case…fortnightly veggie bag members will receive an email on each alternate Monday afternoon listing the produce which will be contained within your bag, along with any additional produce we have available. Should you wish to order additional veggies, simply respond to that email, and place your order. As a thank you for committing to purchasing local, fresh produce direct from the grower, you will receive a 10% discount off any additional veggies purchased on that week. On the other, non veggie bag week, if the online shop is open, you may certainly order additional produce via that platform, however the 10% discount will not apply.
How do I commit: Email simone@heirloomnaturallymansfield.com to let us know you wish to sign up for a fortnightly veggie bag. Once we confirm we have a place available for you, we will send you an invoice for a $60 deposit, which will hold your place.
For both options:
Your commitment to us:
1. Pick up your veg each week / fortnight (please understand that the produce is hand harvested specifically for you, and payment will still be due if you forget to pick it up. Please also note, deposits are non refundable).
2. Let us know if there will be any difficulties with your pick up (we have a coolroom so can store your bag if needed – please advise well prior to pick up time).
3. Enjoy the flavour and freshness of locally grown vegetables, and be prepared to experience something new.
Our commitment to you:
1. To provide you with at least $40 worth of the freshest, nutrient rich produce, hand harvested just for you across the veggie bag period.
2. To let you know what veggies will be in your bag by Monday of each week / fortnight. This will occur via email, which will also serve as a reminder to pick up your veggies.
3. To refund any monies already paid in the event of a total disaster (mother nature willing, that won't happen).
4. To give you a 10% discount off any additional produce ordered from the veggie bag reminder email.
Please be assured we will still be attending markets such as Tallarook, Avenel, Euroa and Myrtleford Farmers Market, however these will be subject to produce availability. Being a member of our veggie bag program is the only way to guarantee you will receive a range of local, fresh, seasonal produce on regular basis for the Winter season. It also helps us no end by giving us some level of surety around crop planning and harvest schedules.
If you decide the veggie bag program is for you, please let us know sooner rather than later so we can confirm places and prepare for the impending start date. Places are extremely limited and have been fully subscribed during both the previous Summer and Winter veggie bag programs. So don't dilly dally if you wish to get on board.
Thank you for your interest and for supporting your local grower.
Eat well, stay well!