VistaVeg
VistaVeg is a small grower’s co-operative based in the village of Crosby Ravensworth near Shap in Cumbria. (Why pigs you ask? Because they clean the fields of last years unharvested root veg before the growing season starts!) We grow high quality, responsibly grown vegetables on 3 separate sites totaling 6 acres for people who care about where & how their food is produced. We do this through a box scheme for families and individuals, and through wholesale supply to businesses and community groups.
The box scheme is a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) enterprise. This means that our members have a direct relationship with us as growers and our farms, and receive a regular share of what we produce. Our box scheme members pay weekly, monthly or even annually and commit to the whole season.
A weekly share of the VistaVeg crop is currently £10. For this, box scheme members receive:-
- A weekly bag of veg – always spuds, carrots & onions, plus a minimum of 5 other seasonal vegetables
- Delivery to your door or to an agreed drop-off point
- A quarterly newsletter.
- A weekly menu planner to prevent waste!
- Invitations to open farm events and social occasions.
- Opportunities to volunteer with harvesting & special projects
The co-operative has an offer of funding from the Rural Development Programme for England of £48,000 over three years to invest in the expansion of its services, with a target of 230 customers by 2013.
VistaVeg buys in produce that it can’t grow itself from another CSA project in Kendal called Growing Well. We don’t yet have any polytunnels so our own tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, aubergines, etc are beyond us this season! We do, however, have a grant application to the Big Lottery Local Food Programme pending which will enable us to buy polytunnels and extend our season considerably.
The co-op also supplies veg wholesale to selected local businesses that are committed to promoting & retailing local food.
We accept ‘Healthy Start’ vouchers from families on low incomes and welcome pre-booked school or group visits to our growing sites. For more information about ‘Healthy Start’ & to see if you are eligible visit www.healthystart.nhs.uk
We are pleased to welcome a new Growing Assistant, who started work on 24th June, supported by the Future Jobs Fund.
For more information contact Lynn Barnes at lynn@vistaprojects.co.uk or ring 01931 715546.
If you’d like to become a box scheme member please download a registration form from here & send to: West House, Tenter Row, Crosby Ravensworth, Penrith,, CA10 3HY.
6 Comments
Hello, whats the weight of a weekly bag of veg.Anne.
how do u go about ordeing can u do it on line or do u ring order in
Hi
Can you let us have a few more details about the veg box scheme please. ie what veg is actually in the box -quantities etc.
thanks
N Scott
Definitely interested in this service. Would be most convenient if I could order and pay online.
Also, could you give more details as already suggested. Thanks
I was just wondering about the details of delivery, i.e. what area? what cost? what quantity? what? I’m sure these details must on one of the sites that you are mentioned on but I have, as yet, been unable to find them and I apologise if this causes you any inconveience.
Hi, really interested in the box scheme but would love some more information about the type and quantity of veg we would recieve for £10/week. Maybe a photo of a typical box would be a useful addition to the website? Many thanks, Cathy.
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[...] case you may be interested in trying it yourselves. There’s also a photo of the producers at http://www.vistaprojects.co.uk/vistaveg/ Vista veg flyer page 1 Vista veg flyer page [...]