ONCE upon a time, organic produce cost the earth and was enjoyed almost exclusively by posh restaurants and fanatical environ -mentalists.

But times have changed and many people are now making the switch to organic, having discovered the benefits it brings.

With initiatives such as Organic Fortnight (September 1-16) springing up all over the place, organic produce is no longer seen as something only consumed by the elite.

It is now enjoyed by people living in the likes of Winton and Southbourne in Bournemouth, according to Mark Davies, who runs a local franchise of Riverford Organic Vegetables from his home in Orcheston Road, Charminster, also in Bournemouth.

Mark sends drivers to collect food from a chiller in Wareham, which has been sent up from Riverford organic farm in Devon overnight, before delivering it to customers in Bournemouth, Christchurch, Ringwood and Lymington.

"It's a home delivery business, so we don't deliver to restaurants or anything like that," he explained.

"It's mainly boxes of veg, but we also do fruit and eggs, milk, wine and juice.

"Organic is obviously the big selling point, but the freshness is equally so. It's all coming from Riverford Farm so has probably been picked the day before and then it's all delivered the same day."

Mark said the organic market, and particularly box schemes, had grown tremendously in recent years, with more and more customers falling into the "light green" category as opposed to the "dark greens - they're more fanatical".

But he said part of the reason for an increased interest in organic is the fact that the average person is now far more concerned with their health and environmental factors such as air miles.

"The other big fashion at the moment is road miles. But instead of it all coming from Riverford Farm, we're in the process of setting up regional farms, so there's going to be one in Hampshire and they're dotting them around.

"There's also an increased interest in health nowadays and, perhaps because organic is in the news a lot more, people are more aware that it's available.

"There's also the health aspect, with the freshness involved and price-wise it's going to be more expensive than buying carrots from a big supermarket, but compared to the supermarket organic it's cheaper.

"It improves people's cooking, creates more interest and it's convenient and environmentally sound.

"Everyone should eat more fruit and veg, so it's a good thing."

Mark said he thought the main reason people were put off joining the box scheme was the lack of choice.

"They can't really choose what goes in the box," he explained.

"But it's only occasionally that you might get stuff you don't want. For many people that's inspired them to become better cooks. Plus, people like the surprise.

"I think for a lot of people it's just making that step and trying it."

  • To find out more about organic and local produce visit the link below