Price cannot be ignored, but turnover is the key to helping the small greengrocer stay competitive. Plus an understanding that beautiful is not always best. Most supermarket fruit and veg is still grown for good looks, shelf life and uniformity, then dubiously packed and packaged. Ironically, some products are now labeled as 'grown for flavour', although true flavour resides in variety, horticultural methods such as organic production and the distance between farmer and stall. So, seek out those knobbly carrots, squat little speckled pears and earth-sprinkled clumps of celery that taste as nature intended.

Box schemes, pioneered by the Soil Association, arose out of the organic and co-operative movement as a way of rationalising food miles, trying to halt the decline in agriculture and encouraging money to stay in the community. They also promote fresh local food, seasonality and healthy eating. They are an integral part of a collective and personal effort to lead a greener life. Schemes vary, of course, as much as the contents of the boxes. Most grow their own produce for local delivery, others are larger businesses buying in from UK farms, wholesalers and importers, delivering more widely and also supplying fruit, dairy produce, meat, wines and wholefoods.

The best have reliable delivery (and a friendly delivery person), a range of box sizes (from small household to large family), the choice of home delivery or pick-up point, good promotions (£10 off a third order, for example), extra items (such as environmentally friendly cleaning products), have consistently good quality products, are good value overall and let you pick and choose what you put in your box (although you may really enjoy the element of surprise and culinary challenge that comes with the ready-mixed fruit and veg box). Best, of all, you never have to lug a sack of potatoes home from the shops ever again.